Origin and Development

Origin and Development of Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Bhava Prachara Parishat, Andhra Pradesh

The great power of Sri Ramakrishna entered Andhra Pradesh in 1893 itself through His beloved disciple Swami Vivekananda, who visited Hyderabad, the present capital of Andhra Pradesh on February 10, 1893 and stayed there upto February 17, 1893. During this period, he enlightened the citizens of Hyderabad with his most inspiring lectures. The state of Andhra Pradesh was also blessed by the holy visits of Swami Brahmanandaji, Swami Shivanandaji and Swami Ramakrishnanandaji and others. Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi visited the town Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh during 1911. As a result of the spiritual vibration created by these holy saints, the first Ramakrishna Mission was started in Visakhapatnam during 1938. It was followed by the inception of Ramakrishna Math in1951 and Ramakrishna Mission in 1954 at Rajahmundry. The third Ramakrishna Math centre was established at Hyderabad during 1973 followed by the establishment of Ramakrishna Mission at Vijayawada during 2001 and Ramakrishna Math at Kadapa (as a Branch centre of Ramakrishna Math, Chennai) during 2004. Ramakrishna Mission centre was established in 2005. And both these Math and Mission centres have become full-fledged branches of Belur Math head-quarters in 2005. In addition to the above centres, Andhra Pradesh had the privilege of establishment of the first Sarada Math and Ramakrishna Sarada Mission at Guntur during 2001.

Besides the Math and Mission Centres, which are affiliated to the Belur Math and Sarada Math (Dakshineswar), several lay devotees have started private centres in the name of the Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda and are organising the spiritual and service activities in the foot-steps of Ramakrishna Math and Mission since 1904. After a close observation of the activities of different private centres all over India, Belur Math authorities have decided to start Bhava Prachara Parishat in each state so as to advise and coordinate the activities of the private centres through a committee of monks and house-holder devotees. Accordingly, the Ramakrishna Vivekananda Bhava Prachara Parishat (AP) was formed on 31 March, 1991 at the holy place of Rajahmundry Ramakrishna Math and is being advised by Belur Math head-quarters from time to time. There are 107 private centres in Andhra Pradesh (as on December 2010) of which 47 are in towns while 60 are in villages. Temples of Sri Ramakrishna exist in 46 centres of which 18 are in towns and 28 are in villages and are well-maintained by the Sri Ramakrishna Seva Samithis. Construction of temples is a huge activity involving lot of money, devotion and dedication and it is an indication of the faith and devotion of the devotees of those centres.

From the inception of the Parishat (1991) till now19 annual devotees’ conventions and 20 half-yearly meetings (organisational meetings) were conducted. 2000-3000 devotees and 15-20 monks of the Ramakrishna Order from different states of India participate in the annual devotees convention and all will be enjoying the spiritual feast. In the half yearly meeting, the organizers of the private centres meet (nearly 100 members) and discuss the organisational matters.