Introduction
Places sanctified by footprints of Thakur Sri Ramakrishna, Ma Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda are the places of pilgrimage for their innumerable devotees, followers, admirers, academics and researchers around the world.
On 19th November 2017, a few devotees visited a number of such places in North Kolkata and experienced indescribable joy and bliss. Following Swamiji’s advise, they decided on that day itself to share with others their inexpressible feeling of ecstasy and elation:
“Does one feel happy to taste of a good thing all by himself ? One should share it with others.”
– Swami Vivekananda
(page 203-204 – ‘Talks with Swami Vivekananda’ published by Advaita Ashrama, Seventh Reprint, April 2012)
After initial deliberation of choosing between publishing a book or creation of a website, it was decided finally to reach Thakur’s overflowing love and kindness associated with these places through a website which anyone may access anytime from anywhere in the world to make virtual pilgrimage to these places.
We get descriptions in Kathamrita of 188 places associated with Thakur Sri Ramakrishna. The viewers will make virtual pilgrimage to these holy places through pictures, videos and descriptions in English and Bengali. Regarding the videos, a number of places of Kamarpukur and Jayarambati and a few places of Kolkata have been shot and added and our efforts in this direction will be a ongoing process. We appeal to the devotees to send us any available video of these places shot by them for inclusion in the site.
Plans are afoot to add Google map depicting the places with location which will simplify visiting the holy places in person by any individual on his/her own.
The present website will help the devotees to follow the holy footprints of Thakur Sri Ramakrishna. We appeal to countless devotees of the Holy Trio to work and launch either independently or on this site, the places glorified by association with Ma Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda.
The pictures used in the website, except for the ones from the past and a few others, have been contributed by Sri Debraj Mitra who, out of devotion and passion, have been photographing these places for the last two decades.
References and descriptions have been adopted from Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by Sri M published by Udbodhan Karyalaya, Kolkata. Pictures from the past have been sourced from different publications available in the public domain. We thankfully acknowledge our gratefulness to all these sources. However, valid objection from any quarter for any unintentional copyright violation will be complied with without any delay or hesitation.
This website has been made for the devotees by the devotees. Anonymous devotees will be running this website to serve silently the sacred cause of Holy Trio. Commercial interest of any form will remain totally absent in this endeavour.
Upgradation of the website with addition of new videos and information will be a continuous process. We expect that the viewers will actively participate in sending videos, commenting on the shortcomings etc., so as to help the upgradation process.
Glory to Thakur Sri Ramakrishna, Ma Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda.
