Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama - Visakhapatnam

Almost everyone who visits Visakhapatnam goes to RK Beach.

The long beachfront, the waves, the museums and the busy Beach Road make it one of the best-known parts of the city. But there is something I had not thought about initially. What exactly does the “RK” in RK Beach stand for?

The answer can be found towards one end of the beach.

It is the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, an institution that has been part of Visakhapatnam since 1938. The beach itself came to be closely identified with the Ramakrishna Mission located here. Today, the abbreviated name RK Beach is far more familiar than the institution from which the name originated.

And strangely, while the beach remains crowded, the Ashrama just across from this familiar landscape can feel remarkably peaceful.

Ramakrishna Mission Comes to Visakhapatnam

Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897, inspired by the teachings of his guru, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.

The connection between the Ramakrishna Order and Visakhapatnam, however, began before a permanent centre was established here.

In 1924, Swami Shivananda, also known as Mahapurush Maharaj and one of the direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, stopped at Visakhapatnam while travelling to Chennai. At the request of local devotees, he stayed for a few days and spoke about the life and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna. He returned to Visakhapatnam again in 1926.

It would take another twelve years for a centre to actually begin functioning.

In 1938, Swami Nishreyasananda was sent to establish the Ramakrishna Mission centre in Visakhapatnam. It initially operated from a rent-free house at Chengalraopet. A plot close to the beach at Maharanipeta was subsequently obtained with the assistance of the government, local devotees and well-wishers.

One person who played an important role during these early years was Sri Kancharla Ramabrahmam, a local businessman and supporter of the Mission. He contributed substantially towards the construction of the Ashrama's first permanent building.

Its foundation stone was laid in May 1940, and the building opened later that year.

Sri Ramakrishna Temple

The structure that immediately attracts attention today is the Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna.

The foundation stone for the present temple was laid in 1985. It was consecrated on 30 January 1991 by Swami Bhuteshananda, who was then President of the Ramakrishna Order.

Inside, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa occupies the central position in the shrine. Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda are represented alongside him.

The hall is spacious, but there is very little that distracts you once you sit down.

Perhaps it is the silence inside. Perhaps it is the contrast with the traffic and activity of Beach Road just outside. Whatever the reason, the atmosphere changes almost immediately.

Swami Vivekananda Statue

A bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda stands within the Ashrama campus.

It was unveiled on 9 September 1991 by Krishna Kant, then Governor of Andhra Pradesh.

The familiar figure of Vivekananda, standing with folded arms, is easily recognisable. Yet here it acquires another layer of meaning. The statue stands inside an institution belonging to the Mission he founded nearly a century earlier.

More Than a Temple

The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama is not limited to worship.

Over the decades, the institution has been involved in education, medical service and other social activities. The campus today includes a public library and bookstall. The library building also houses an exhibition using clay models to narrate episodes from the lives and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda.

Still, for a traveller, the most interesting thing about this place may be much simpler.

Walk out of the quiet Ashrama and the Bay of Bengal is only a short distance away. The road fills again with vehicles and visitors. Across this stretch extends one of Visakhapatnam's most famous beaches.

Everyone calls it RK Beach.

After visiting the Ashrama, those two letters suddenly mean something.

Happy travelling.