The Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama in Mysore is a unit of Sri Ramakrishna Math and Mission which was established by Sri Swami Vivekananda. Set up with the twin ideal of Atmano Mokshartham Jagat Hitayacha which means 'for the liberation of the self and the good of the world', this ashram was established in the year 1925 with Swami Siddeshwarnaandaji as the founder president. This ashram has been visited by many of the direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna including Swami Vivekananda. This ashram also has the rare distinction of having the biggest publication of Ramakrishna Vivekananda and Vedanta literature in Kannada. It conducts periodic discourses, spiritual retreats, yogasana classes and daily prayers for the benefit of the public. It also prints and releases a kannada monthly magazine called 'Viveka Prabha' with a circulation of 25000. Along with this this ashram has launched a program named 'Jnanavahini' which aims to take education to the door of the common man by working among the people staying in the rural areas. Another major event conducted by this ashram is the 'Viveka Shikshana' which is a 'special support free education program for the poor'. It aims to educate the poor students and help them come up in life and studies. It also has a huge library which has a large number of books collected from various fields. Besides this it has two other units - the Sri Ramakrishna Vidyashala and Ramakrishna institute of Moral and Spiritual education.

Ramakrishna was one of the greatest spiritual figures born in India. He was born in a small village in West Bengal in 1836 named Kamarpukur. He was one of the rare people who attained an exalted state of spiritual illumination that had never before been achieved by any other religious in India or elsewhere. After his death a monastic order was established by his disciples, among them Swami Vivekananda being the principal one. There were two main ideals behind the formation of this order, one was to create a band of Sannyasin teachers of Vedanta and second one was to carry on the missionary and philanthropic work for all ignoring their caste, creed, colour etc.

Objectives of Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama

The main objectives of this ashram are as follows -

• Its ideal is to attain freedom of the self and the service of mankind.

• Practice and preach the sanatana dharma which is the eternal religion that is embodied in the lives and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananada.

• Its motto is renunciation and service and also to bring about harmony of religions.

• The method it adopts is work and worship.

• Training monastic aspirants, engaging in worship, preaching religious principles, spread general and technical education which is based on ethical and spiritual background, medical service, relief work during calamities like famine and distress, work for the upliftment of rural population and help the toiling and emerging people of all and conduct cultural activities are some of its other objectives.

Mere studies of scriptures is not enough. One needs to apply the values and principles that is enshrined in these scriptures. The math and its mission is dedicated to this cause. It strives to convert into activities that values that are enshrined in the scriptures.

Activities of Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama

This ashram conducts a series of activities. Some of them are as follows-

Jnanavahini - Based on Swami Vivekananda's idea of 'if the poor cannot come to education, education can go to the poor', the Jnanavahini program strives to take service to the remotest of the remote and the most deprived of the unprivileged. With an objective of faith in oneself and taking pride in our great heritage and being sensitive about moral values the volunteers of this program with a spirit of service and sacrifice goes to the remotest places to educate and serve them. They also conduct programs like prayer and bhajans, guided meditation, personality development, film shows, storytelling sessions etc.

Spiritual retreats - Another major activity of this ashram is the spiritual retreats that it conducts for different groups of people like labourers working at Ramakrishna Ashrama, medical students, cobblers, teachers and the underprivileged. It is a half day program which is open to everyone, men and women of all ages. During such retreats the participants are encouraged to chant special mantras and also abstain from alcohol, non-vegetarian food etc.

Viveka Prabha - The Viveka Prabha is a Kannada Magazine which is published by the Ramakrishna Maha Sangha and was released in 1999. It is read by over 2500 readers across the state of Karnataka as well as outside and features the writings by renowned monks and leading writers.

Youth Forum - Formally started on 27th January 2007, this program aims to instil the spirit of Swami Vivekananda among the youth of Mysore. This forum conducts a session every Sunday at 9:30 am. Some of the activities conducted in this forum are Vedic chanting, bhajans, meditation etc. It also includes reading of Swami Vivekananda's teachings and interaction with the senior monks of the ashram. It concludes at 11:30 am and has very successful in engaging the youth in constructive programs.

Sarada Jnanasudha - It is a written quiz competition which is conducted by this ashram. It is an annual event that is open to students of all schools all over Karnataka. First started in 2004, this quiz was based on the a small book on Holy mother Sri Sarada Devi to commemorate her 150th birthday. The theme keeps changing every year, like in the 2nd year the theme was Swami Vivekananda and the 3rd year it was Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. It is a wonderful program which has enthused both teachers and students from all school over the state. Over the years in the history of quiz competition, more than 200,000 students from over 900 schools have participated.

Along with these activities they also conduct other activities like Public celebrations of important festivals, Viveka Sikhasana, evening lectures etc. Hence this ashram is sincerely dedicated to eliminate suffering and pain from the lives of numerous people, mostly the underprivileged sections of the society.