HISTORY
“Nagareshu Kanchi” says the famous Mahakavi Kalidasa. Also it is one among the 7 mokshapuris namely 1. Ayodhya, 2. Mathura, 3. Avantika, 4. Kanchi, 5. Kashi, 6. Dwaraka and 7. Maya. Jagan Mata Parvati Devi made a Shiva Linga out of sand and performed intense Tapasya intending to get the left portion of Shiva (Vama Bhaga) who is known here as Ekambareshwara. Hence this is known as ‘Prithivi Sthala’ among the ‘Pancha Bhuta Sthalas’. Needless to say that She is known here as Kamakshi. Also, This is called Odyana Shakti Peetham’ -one among the 51 Shakti Peethams. Moreover, Sri Adi Shankaracharya made a Sri Chakra Yantra and invoked Sri Kamakshi Devi in it. Moreover, Airavatam – the celestial white elephant became Athi Giri on which the famous Sri Varadaraja Swami Temple is situated.
Apart from these, the holy visits of Alwars and Nayanmars to this city have added feather to its crown of sanctity and fame. Moreover, it was here where Sri Ramanujacharya who incarnated in Sriperumpudur which is near by Kanchipurarm, spent his initial days. In addition to these, it was here where Sri Kachiappar wrote ‘Kandapuranam’ i.e. Skanda Puranam in Tamil. Here, among the 6 cults of the Sanatana Dharma, 5 cults namely 1. Vaishnavam 2. Shaivam, 3. Shaktam, 4. Ganapatyam, and 5. Kaumaram flourished well. The temples dedicated to 1. Sri Maha Vishnu 2. Shiva, 3. Shakti, 4. Ganapati and Kumara who is known in Tamil as ‘Murugan’ are the testimony to this fact. Here are various monasteries belonging to various cults of the Sanatana Dharma. Hence, it is not an exaggeration to say that ‘Kanchi’ is a city of “Sarvadharma Samanvaya’. Hence, it is a befitting act to have a Math in the nameof Bhagawan Sri Sri Ramakrishna Deva´- who is the embodiment of all dharmas and also the icon of Sarva Dharma Samanvaya. Hence, It is no wonder that this holy city attracted the attention of the monastic disciples of Bhagawan Sri Sri Ramakrishna Deva too. The following were the monastic disciples who had visited this punya kshetram. They were:
The following were the monastic disciples of Sri Ramakrishna who had visited this punya kshetram.
Thus, this city is significant both pauranically and historically. Attracted by the motto and the ideals of the Ramakrishna Math & Mission – the twin Organisations which were established by Swami Vivekananda, Sri. Saravana Perumal Mudaliar – a devotee of Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna – who was born in this city, wanted to have a branch centre of the Ramkairshna Math in it. Sri Saravana Perumal Mudaliyar donated a building worth Rs. 15,000/- (in those days) and a library with 2000 books. Through his relentless effort, a branch centre of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math, Howrah District, West Bengal, was inaugurated in Kanchipuram on 17th July, 1932 (Vyasa Purnima day) by Srimat Swami Yatishwaranandaji Maharaj – the then President of Sri Ramakrishna Math, Madras. Revered Yatishwaranandaji Maharaj had told in his lecture that it was necessary to have an Ashrama in the name of Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna in the punya bhumi of Kanchipuram where Sri Adi Shankaracharya and Sri Ramanujacharya lived. The Math was located at 70, Nellukkara Street, Kanchipuram. Revered Maharaj eulogied Sri Mudaliyar for his persistent effort in this connection. The Math had been functioning in this address for decades. But due to pollution and paucity of space, there was a craving need to shift it to spacious premises. And this was done about 2 decades ago. Since then, the Math has been serving the society in its own humble way.