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 has been finally decided to create a website with texts (English and Bengali), pictures and videos which may be accessed by anyone from anywhere in the world wishing to visit these places virtually.
We get descriptions in Kathamrita of 188 places associated with Thakur Sri Ramakrishna. Further research has revealed a few more places with footprints of Thakur. All those places have been presented to the devotees in this website.
In order to help the devotees to reach these places, not only directions and addresses (wherever available) have been mentioned in the texts, but road maps showing directions have also been added.
While the present website is on the places sanctified by holy footprints of Thakur Sri Ramakrishna, we appeal to countless devotees of the Holy Trio to work and launch either independently or in association with 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.
Swami Vivekananda has said:
“He works best who works without any motive, neither for money, nor for fame, nor for anything else;”(pages 117/118 – The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda – Volume 1, Seventeenth Edition, Twenty-eighth Impression, July 2010)
This website has been made for the devotees by the devotees with sole motive of serving the sacred cause of the Holy Trio. Anonymous devotees will be running this website. Name, fame and commercial interest of any form will remain totally absent in this endeavour.
Upgradation of the website with addition of new videos, pictures and information will be a continuous process. Since the website is being run on the principle of collective ownership, it is expected that each and every devotee will actively participate in the continuous upgradation process by sending pictures, videos, additional information if any, and also by giving feedback and suggestions for improvements.
Any trustworthy information has got to be backed by authentic source of the facts provided and this aspect has been consciously taken care of in this site.
Glory to Thakur Sri Ramakrishna, Ma Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda.
