DAILY WORSHIP
Daily worship of Sri Ramakrishna, evening prayers, Vedic chanting, ‘Ramanama Sankirtanam’ on Ekadashi days before evening arati and prayers are held in the temple of Sri Ramakrishna.
TIMINGS:
APRIL to SEPTEMBER
Morning 6:00 a.m. to 12.00 noon
Evening 3:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
OCTOBER to MARCH:
Morning 6:30 a.m. to 12.00 noon
Evening 3:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
SPECIAL PUJA
Special Pujas are conducted on the occasions of birth anniversaries of Sri Ramakrishna, Maa Sarada, Swami Vivekananda, and Swami Turiyananda, and also on Shivaratri, Kali Puja and Christmas Eve.
Irrespective of religious belief, devotees & under-privileged peoples of different sects are fed during such occasions.
BHAJAN SANDHYA
Melodic and elevating sessions of Bhajan and Sankirtans are arranged from time to time for the devotees to calm their minds and uplift their minds to a spiritual realm. Sometimes, the singing is followed by spiritual discourses by senior monks.
STATION FOR PILGRIMAGE & TAPASYA
Swami Vivekananda in one of his lectures in Almora had expressed his vision for an Ashrama…” Here, therefore, must be one of those centres, not merely of activity, but more of calmness, of meditation, and of peace; and I hope someday to realise it.”
Sri Ramakrishna Kutir in Almora was established in 1916, about 14 years after the death of Swami Vivekananda. It is the realization of the dream of Vivekananda. Today, the ashram is a serene space to practice meditation in a spiritual environment.
SPIRITUAL CLASSES
Classes on Vedic scriptures are held for sincere spiritual aspirants, who want to learn from an Acharya in the traditional way. The students stay in the ashrama campus and follow the daily routine, which includes Vedic chanting, meditation and prayers. Prior registration is required for such classes. Recently, classes were held on Atmabodh (Self-knowledge) of Sri Shankaracharya by Swami Atmashraddhananda, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, Kanpur and on Kathoapanishad by Swami Vedanisthananda of Belur Math.
BHAKTA SAMMELAN/ SHIBIR
Spiritual retreats (or Bhakta Sammelans) are very keenly awaited occasions by the devotees at Ramakrishna Kutir, Almora. These retreats are usually held for 2-3 days. Various monks of the Ramakrishna Order act as moderators. Devotees get to spend the whole day in the Ashram and spend a few days, filled with scriptural talks, discourses on the message of the Holy Trio, devotional singing etc.
In May-June 2022, the three days shibir was organized where around 60 devotees from different states in India participated. Swami Raghavendranandaji Maharaj, Adhyaksha Ramakrishna Mission, Gwalior & Swami Nityajnananandaji Maharaj, Ex Adhyaksha of Ramakrishna Mission, Bhopal chaired the shibir & guided the devotees through spiritual process.
In May 2023, another three-day retreat was organized as part of the 125th anniversary celebrations of the foundation of Ramakrishna Mission and Swami Vivekananda’s return from Chicago. The dignitaries who conducted the session were Swami Raghavendrananda, Secretary Ramakrishna Mission, Ujjain, Swami Sukhananda, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, Bhuj and Swami Shuddhidananda, President, Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati. Topics ranged from Ramcharitmanas to The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna and Spirituality in daily life.
