SRI SRI MAA SARADA DEBI, divine consort of SRI RAMKRISHNA PARAMHANSA DEB was born to Ramchandra Mukherjee & Shyama sundari Debi in the year of 1853 in the village of Jayrambati in Bankura district. Like other Indian villages in 19th century Jayrambati was handicapped by poverty,ignorance,superstition & exploitation.
Some people are like stars. They keep emitting light & illuminate everything even when they are no more. SARADA MAA is one of them. She was born in Jayrambati,that's why the place has become a pilgrim centre & a seat for the worldwide Ramkrishna movement.
Get off at the bus stop known as Maa-er ghat It's named so because there's a large water body by the road which is related to SARADA MAA. When SHE was in her childhood,SHE used to collect herbs for cattle from the pond. The little girl fearlessly walked through the water infested by snake,leech etc. to make sure the domestic animals were well-fed! Motherhood knows no boundaries.
To reach the temple cross the road & walk down the lane lined by shops selling terracotta items,conch shells etc.There's a makeshift shop run by a lady who sells must-have chops. The lane before taking a right turn leads you to the outlet of Ramkrishna Mission which sells various items like t-shirts,bed covers, bags,wallets etc. made by local people. They are trained in handicrafts as a part of RKM's rural development programme. The products bear the testimony of expertise of the rural people, especially women.
Beside the outlet is Bhanu pisir bhite ( house of aunt Bhanu). Bhanu pisi was a child-widow living with her parents in Jayrambati. Though there was no blood relation, Maa called her pisi (aunt). While all the villagers took Ramkrishna Deb for mentally challenged, Bhanu pisi didn't mistake. She recognized HIS supernal character. Pisi's house is no more. Her family members handed over the plot to RKM. Now there stands a slab with engraved forms of MAA & Bhanu pisi.
Next to Pisi's bhite (house) is Matri Mandir (Temple of the Mother).
Get off at the bus stop known as Maa-er ghat It's named so because there's a large water body by the road which is related to SARADA MAA. When SHE was in her childhood,SHE used to collect herbs for cattle from the pond. The little girl fearlessly walked through the water infested by snake,leech etc. to make sure the domestic animals were well-fed! Motherhood knows no boundaries.
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| MAA-ER GHAT |
To reach the temple cross the road & walk down the lane lined by shops selling terracotta items,conch shells etc.There's a makeshift shop run by a lady who sells must-have chops. The lane before taking a right turn leads you to the outlet of Ramkrishna Mission which sells various items like t-shirts,bed covers, bags,wallets etc. made by local people. They are trained in handicrafts as a part of RKM's rural development programme. The products bear the testimony of expertise of the rural people, especially women.
Beside the outlet is Bhanu pisir bhite ( house of aunt Bhanu). Bhanu pisi was a child-widow living with her parents in Jayrambati. Though there was no blood relation, Maa called her pisi (aunt). While all the villagers took Ramkrishna Deb for mentally challenged, Bhanu pisi didn't mistake. She recognized HIS supernal character. Pisi's house is no more. Her family members handed over the plot to RKM. Now there stands a slab with engraved forms of MAA & Bhanu pisi.
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| BHANU PISIR BHITE |
Next to Pisi's bhite (house) is Matri Mandir (Temple of the Mother).
MATRI MANDIR
In the temple premises there are two houses of MAA, MAA-er kulo debatar mandir (the guardian deity of MAA's family), a guest house, dining hall, kitchen, office, book shop, a police outpost & the temple of MAA ( MATRI MANDIR).
The two houses are known as old & new house of MAA ( MAA-er purono ar notun bari). But the old house is not the original house. Temple of the MOTHER was built on the spot where original house of Mukherjees was situated. Maa was born in that house. The antur ghar or the room where pregnant women would be in child-bed was where the sanctum sanctorum is situated now.Later, Ramchandra moved in a the house he built on a new plot. This is known as Old House. His sister-in-law (bhai-er bou) used to live in one corner of the original house with her daughter. MAA's brothers used the vacant portions of the original house to store the paddy-straw. maa's aunt (kakima) happily handed over her portion to RKM. MAA's three brothers after a lot of persuasion agreed to sell their portion & charged Rs. 300. Construction started in 1921 & the temple was inaugurated on 19th April,1923.
Then The temple was much smaller. The natmandir ( room for dancing & musical performances) was added later. In the sanctum there was a photograph of MAA. The marble statue was installed in 1954 & the photograph was shifted to the room behind.
THE OLD HOUSE ( PURONO BARI)
The house was built when MAA was 9-year-old. SHE lived here till 1916 when a new house was built by Sharat Maharaj. The house still retains its original form & charm. The room where MAA is worshiped now was HER bedroom. Adjacent room was HER thakur ghar ( room for worship & prayer). Now it is used for the same purpose by the monks only. There are rooms of Shyama sundari Debi & pagli mami ( mad aunt - MAA's youngest sister-in-law), kitchen & drawing room.
All were served food on the veranda of this house.sed When they were done, MAA used to cleanse the place herself! 100 years ago it was unthinkable as casteism was rampant in the society. One day niece Nalini revolted : aunt, what's this? You are cleaning the scraps of meals irrespective of caste n creed! MAA smilingly replied, what caste n creed! All are mine. (sab je amar)
Old house witnessed MAA's battle against casteism,bigotry,superstition & exploitation. This house in Jayrambati became a centre of the spiritual movement that SRI RAMKRISHNA DEB initiated in Dakshineswar. The old house was actually an abode of new.
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| THE OLD HOUSE |
THE NEW HOUSE (NOTUN BARI)
Number of devotees was increasing. To call on MAA people would go to Jayrambati from far-off places like Barishal,Coochbihar etc. MAA used to live in the old house with HER big family consisting of brothers, sisters-in-law, nephew, niece, sons-in-law & grandchildren. Some monks also were there. The house became too small to accommodate all.
Sharat maharaj planned a new house for MAA. The land near Punyi pukur was purchased & under the supervision of Rasbehari maharaj the house was constructed. In 1916 MAA moved in HER notun bari (new house) alongwith Radhu & Nalini.
Here the rooms were not attached to each other. MAA used to live in the room where SHE is worshiped now. The room is divided into two floors. here were rooms for Radhu di & Nalini di also. Radhu di would live with her baby boy. Her husband would visit frequently. Jagaddhatri puja used to be held in this house. Now it has been shifted to the lawn of the temple.
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| NEW HOUSE |
Adjacent to the house is a large water body, punyi pukur. At hat time the pond was filled with herbs & filth. RKM bought this pond & the monk, Gyan maharaj cleaned it. The pond is used by the Mission as well as the local people.
In front of the old house lives the family of Bhudeb Mukherjee, nephew of MAA. They worship a statuette of GOPAL (little KRISHNA) which SHE gave to HER nephew. This is the room where Jagaddhatri puja was held for four years before it was shifted to the new house.
On the northern side Jayrambati was bordered by a river called Amodor. It was fed by the mighty Kangsaboti. Since MAA was fond of the Ganga, She called it 'the Ganga of Jayrambati'. SHE loved to bathe in that river. Ramchandra Mukherjee, MAA's father used to meditate on the bank of Amodor. RKM has discovered that spot & converted it into a beautiful garden of both terrestrial & aquatic plants.
Now Amodor is in rudimentary stage. It remains dry if water is not pumped in. But the picture was different in the past. People needed boats to cross it. Some wrote in their memoirs that they have seen crocodiles in Amodor. Now RKM takes care of the river.
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| PUNYI PUKUR |
In front of the old house lives the family of Bhudeb Mukherjee, nephew of MAA. They worship a statuette of GOPAL (little KRISHNA) which SHE gave to HER nephew. This is the room where Jagaddhatri puja was held for four years before it was shifted to the new house.
On the northern side Jayrambati was bordered by a river called Amodor. It was fed by the mighty Kangsaboti. Since MAA was fond of the Ganga, She called it 'the Ganga of Jayrambati'. SHE loved to bathe in that river. Ramchandra Mukherjee, MAA's father used to meditate on the bank of Amodor. RKM has discovered that spot & converted it into a beautiful garden of both terrestrial & aquatic plants.
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| GARDEN ON THE BANK OF AMODOR |
Now Amodor is in rudimentary stage. It remains dry if water is not pumped in. But the picture was different in the past. People needed boats to cross it. Some wrote in their memoirs that they have seen crocodiles in Amodor. Now RKM takes care of the river.
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| AMODOR |
MAA was deeply pained because Jayrambati was deprived of modern healthcare, education & safe drinking water. A well was dug up on HER instruction. It was used only for drinking & cooking by HER family, Mission & the neighbours. SHE established a free school & a charitable dispensary. These were the seeds which later germinated into high school, junior basic school, vocational training school, library, coaching centre, homoeopathic-cum-allopathic dispensary & mobile medical unit.
There are tourist lodges, shops & a continuous flow of tourists in Jayrambati. Vehicles of all shapes n sizes ply on the road. In spite of all these Jayrambati is surprisingly tranquil. You'll feel pacified, rejuvenated. It's the magic of Mother's touch.
There are tourist lodges, shops & a continuous flow of tourists in Jayrambati. Vehicles of all shapes n sizes ply on the road. In spite of all these Jayrambati is surprisingly tranquil. You'll feel pacified, rejuvenated. It's the magic of Mother's touch.
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