About us

Ramakrishna Mission, Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri is one of the newest Centres of Ramakrishna Sangha. Situated 40 km eastward of Hyderabad city, on a 22 acres of expansive land. The Ashrama is filled with 10,000 trees planted and cared lovingly by the Monks and Devotees of Ramakrishna Sangha.

The Ashrama is nestled on a hillside. The land ascends from the entrance upwards into a hillock as if to convey the route taken by the consciousness to attain the Ultimate.

The main road winds through the tree line accentuating a pristine lake and takes one towards the Temple.

The wooded area around the Temple is studded with cottages (newly renovated) meant to accommodate Sadhakas who want to experience the saying of Sri Ramakrishna that Sadhana has to be done in Mone’, Bone’, Kone’ i.e. in mind, in forest, and in a corner (seclusion).

Gazing at the pristine forest and the exotic birds chirping about, prompts us to let go of our fears, our doubts and our attachments and brings in the awareness that the Essence of Spirituality is in witnessing and not in participating.

The call of Peacocks reminds us of the plaintive yearning of Gopikas for their beloved Krishna.

A deep silence wraps the land in morning, afternoon and in night, goading us to set everything aside and sit in Meditation and sync ourselves with the Silence around. A trek around the Ashrama rejuvenates our limbs. The Prasad of the Ashrama rejuvenates both our body and mind.

THE INCEPTION

The year was 1987, Most Revered Srimat Swami Ranganathanandaji Maharaj, the then president of Ramakrishna Math, Hyderabad accompanied by some close devotees visited the ancient Shiva temple at Keesaragutta hill (located 35km from Hyderabad).

This ancient temple was built around 5th to 7 th centuries AD by the Vishnukundin Kings who ruled Telangana during that period. It is believed that the temple was built, enlarged on a much ancient temple belonging to the Ramayana period. Legend has it that Lord Rama himself established and worshipped the Shiva-Lingaa here, that is why the Shiva is named Ramalingeshwara.

The legend further states that Lord Hanuman was tasked to bring a particular linga from Himalayas. As he couldn’t identify it, he brought hundreds of them. As only one was needed for worship, the others were discarded and are even now striven across the hill and the adjoining forest. The village nearby is named in honor of Hanuman, which due to passage of time as corrupted from Kesari-suta (born of kesari) to Keesara

Upon visiting the temple and experiencing the spiritual vibrations of this holy temple, Srimat Swami Ranganathanandaji told the devotees that he felt that this was a Tapo-bhumi where ancient Rishis had done tapasya. Further he requested the devotees to purchase some land in proximity to the temple and start an Ashrama there.

Inspired by Swamiji’s words a band of devotees formed a Trust named Sri Ramakrishna Vanaprastha -ashrama and started searching for a suitable land.

After much searching a suitable land was identified in Peddaparvatapur village located 7km from the Temple. Sri G. Harishchandra Reddy met the entire cost of purchasing 20 acres of land.

A master plan for the Ashrama infrastructure was designed and on August 11th 1990, Srimat Swami Ranganathanandaji Maharaj in the presence of over 500 devotees laid the foundation stone for the project.

After running the Old-age home successfully for more than 25 years, the authorities of the Vanaprastha-ashrama handed over the premises to Ramakrishna Mission in 2018

From 2018 till 2022, the centre operated as a Sub-centre of Ramakrishna Math, Hyderabad. In June2022 the Ashrama was made into an independent branch centre of Ramakrishna Mission, Howrah

Considering the changing needs of the society, Ramakrishna Mission has decided to utilize this centre to cater to the Spiritual needs of the society. The Ashrama is slowly being renovated and equipped to host spiritual aspirants who want to experience Ekanta-vasa in an Ashrama. Sri Ramakrishna would often say that Sadhana has to happen in Mone’, Bone’, Kone’ (i,e in Mind, in Seclusion and in an Corner (away from limelight) ). This Ashrama is well equipped to cater to these conditions. With 22 acres of lush forest and lakes, with individual cottages and a serene temple a Sadhaka can experience all the three conditions mentioned by Sri Ramakrishna.

A master plan for the Ashrama infrastructure was designed and on 11 August 1990, Srimat Swami Ranganathanandaji Maharaj in the presence of over 500 devotees laid the foundation stone for the project.

During one of his visits to the Ashrama, Srimat Swami Ranganathanandaji climbed a small hillock and sat for meditation on top of it. Later he requested the future temple to be built on the same hillock. The present temple of the Ashrama is built on the spot requested by Maharaj

TEMPLE ROUTINE

The morning starts with the Usha-arati at 5:30am. The Devotees are invited to attend the Pooja of Sri Ramakrishna at 7:30am and to Chant Vishnu-sahasranama, after which Pushpanjali is offered by everyone at the pedestal of Sri Ramakrishna. The Sandhya-arati is at 6:45pm, followed by bhajans till 7:15pm.

Into such environment, we invite the Devotees of Ramakrishna parampara to come, to stay and revitalize their Spiritual fervor, to reignite their zeal for Sadhana.

The highest gift is the gift of Spirituality. May the ambience of this Ashrama nurture you to attain such Spirituality.