Ramakrishna Ashrama & Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Dehradun
Ramakrishna Ashrama & Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Dehradun
(A Branch Centre of Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math, Howrah, West Bengal)

History of Kishanpur Ashrama

Swami Vivekananda visited Dehradun twice. First in 1890 when he came here for the treatment of his brother-monk Swami Akhandananda. They suddenly met Swami Turiyananda who was practicing severe spiritual disciplines at Bauri Shiva Mandir, a little away from Rajpur Road, Dehradun, towards Mussoorie. They stayed there for several days until a suitable arrangement could be made.
During his second visit to Dehradun in November 1897, Swami Vivekananda came to look up at the feasibility of an orphanage here which his English disciples Capt. Sevier and Mrs. Sevier wanted to start. At that time, it did not materialise. As though in fulfilment of this wish, Swami Karunananda, a disciple of Swami Brahmananda, while trekking through Dehradun, decided to open a spiritual retreat centre in 1916 in Kishanpur. At the foothills of Mussoorie amidst the picturesque surroundings on Dehradun – Mussoorie road, Kishanpur is 6 Kms. away from Dehradun City proper, overlooking the beautiful Shivalik range.

Started originally as an experimental measure, the centre was placed on a firm footing after nine years. The property as duly transferred to Swami Brahmananda, the first president of the Ramakrishna Order by legal deed on 23 July 1919. Thereafter, the Ashrama was affiliated to the Ramakrishna Math, Belur.

In 1925, Ramakrishna Mission Home of Service, Varanasi, purchased a plot of land having two cottages adjoining the Ashrama. The principal objective was to provide a Kutir for the aged and ailing monks, who, after retirement or after prolonged strenuous work, could recoup their lost health or undergo spiritual practice. Swami Subhananda, the founder of the Home of Service, was practicing Tapasya after his retirement from active service. He was inspired by Swami Turiyananda to start a retreat and named it as ‘Ramakrishna Sadhan Kutir’. He negotiated and got the sale deed executed on 30 March, 1925 in favour of Swami Shivananda and Swami Saradananda, the then President and Secretary respectively of the Board of Trustees of Belur Math. The adjacent ‘Ramakrishna Ashrama’ was amalgamated with the newly started ‘Ramakrishna Sadhan Kutir’ and the Varanasi Home of Service was made responsible to manage it as its sub-centre and for maintaining / sending the annual accounts and report of activities to the Headquarters. Ramakrishna Mission Home of Service, Varanasi, purchased a plot of land having two cottages adjoining the Ashrama. The principal objective was to provide a Kutir for the aged and ailing monks, who, after retirement or after prolonged strenuous work, could recoup their lost health or undergo spiritual practice. Swami Subhananda, the founder of the Home of Service, was practicing Tapasya after his retirement from active service. He was inspired by Swami Turiyananda to start a retreat and named it as ‘Ramakrishna Sadhan Kutir’. He negotiated and got the sale deed executed on 30 March, 1925 in favour of Swami Shivananda and Swami Saradananda, the then President and Secretary respectively of the Board of Trustees of Belur Math. The adjacent ‘Ramakrishna Ashrama’ was amalgamated with the newly started ‘Ramakrishna Sadhan Kutir’ and the Varanasi Home of Service was made responsible to manage it as its sub-centre and for maintaining / sending the annual accounts and report of activities to the Headquarters. Ramakrishna Mission Home of Service, Varanasi, purchased a plot of land having two cottages adjoining the Ashrama. The principal objective was to provide a Kutir for the aged and ailing monks, who, after retirement or after prolonged strenuous work, could recoup their lost health or undergo spiritual practice. Swami Subhananda, the founder of the Home of Service, was practicing Tapasya after his retirement from active service. He was inspired by Swami Turiyananda to start a retreat and named it as ‘Ramakrishna Sadhan Kutir’. He negotiated and got the sale deed executed on 30 March, 1925 in favour of Swami Shivananda and Swami Saradananda, the then President and Secretary respectively of the Board of Trustees of Belur Math. The adjacent ‘Ramakrishna Ashrama’ was amalgamated with the newly started ‘Ramakrishna Sadhan Kutir’ and the Varanasi Home of Service was made responsible to manage it as its sub-centre and for maintaining / sending the annual accounts and report of activities to the Headquarters.

In 1934, ‘Ramakrishna Sadhan Kutir’ passed through yet another change and became an independent centre under the direct control of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math. It was renamed ‘Ramakrishna Ashrama’. Swami Baladevananda (Nitai Maharaj), a disciple of the Holy Mother, was appointed the first President of the Ramakrishna Ashrama, Kishanpur. Under his long stewardship till his demise in 1968, the Ashrama made slow and steady progress from its silent and humble beginnings. ‘Ramakrishna Sadhan Kutir’ passed through yet another change and became an independent centre under the direct control of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math. It was renamed ‘Ramakrishna Ashrama’. Swami Baladevananda (Nitai Maharaj), a disciple of the Holy Mother, was appointed the first President of the Ramakrishna Ashrama, Kishanpur. Under his long stewardship till his demise in 1968, the Ashrama made slow and steady progress from its silent and humble beginnings. ‘Ramakrishna Sadhan Kutir’ passed through yet another change and became an independent centre under the direct control of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math. It was renamed ‘Ramakrishna Ashrama’. Swami Baladevananda (Nitai Maharaj), a disciple of the Holy Mother, was appointed the first President of the Ramakrishna Ashrama, Kishanpur. Under his long stewardship till his demise in 1968, the Ashrama made slow and steady progress from its silent and humble beginnings.

In-Charges of Dehradun Ashrama

  • 1934 – 1968:  Swami Baladevananda
  • 1968 – 1969:  Swami Shuddhabhodhananda
  •         1969      :  Swami Uttamananda
  • 1969 – 1973:  Swami Prajnananda
  • 1973 – 1975:  Swami Krishnatmananda
  • 1975 – 1997:  Swami Kshamananda
  • 1997 – 1998:  Swami Atmavidananda
  • 1998 – 2002:  Swami Jagadishananda
  • 2002 – 2004:  Swami Vipasananda
  • 2004 – 2013:  Swami Nirvikalpananda
  • 2013 –           : Swami Asimatmananda