May 15th, 2022 was a very special day for the devotees of Thakur Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa in the Detroit area. With both the spiritual and financial inspiration of Revered Swami Swahanandaji Maharaj of the Vedanta Society of Southern California, the devotees of the Detroit Metro area were trying to form an Ashrama, where they could gather to dive deep into the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna and engage in prayer, study and meditation.

After almost two decades of continuous devoted service, on this day, the devotees witnessed the inauguration of the new Ramakrishna Ashrama in Warren, MI by two senior monks of the Ramakrishna Order, Rev. Swami Sarvadevananda, the minister and spiritual leader of the Vedanta Society of Southern California and Rev. Swami Ishatmananda, the President of the Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago. Brahmacharini Jaggaddhatri of Sarada Convent, Hollywood was also present.

After the formal ribbon cutting and the unveiling of the ceremonial plaque, Swami Sarvadevananda performed the puja of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Holy Mother Saradamani Devi, and Swami Vivekananda. Swami Ishatmananda chanted a few hymns from the Bhagavad Gita. The devotees performed devotional songs. The puja ended with the group singing of the Bhajan, “Ramakrishna Sharanam” by the devotees, led by Swami Ishatmananda. At the end of the puja, the devotees offered flowers.

All attendees were treated to a sumptuous lunch of Bhog Prasad. Lunch was followed by an inaugural program. There were a few devotional song and dance performances by the local kids. After the opening dance, Mr. Ajit Das welcomed all. Mr. Mahaveer Khatawat recounted some of the challenges they faced to build this ashrama and how by the grace of Thakur and Holy Mother all had been resolved. Swami Ishatmananda reminded all in a lucid but profound way, “Why Do We Need A Temple”. The representatives from several local religious organizations, like Ponkoj Das from Durga Mandir, Shyama Halder from Michigan Kali Bari, and Dr. Debasish Mridha (attended virtually) from Shiv Mandir spoke about how Sri Ramakrishna's and Holy Mother's teachings influenced their lives and pledged their support to help the newly formed Ashram grow and prosper. The program concluded with the inaugural speech by Swami Sarvadevananda, where he discussed the importance of the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Bhakti movement. More than 300 devotees participated in the event.

After the devastating isolation of the pandemic, this inauguration and the Swamijis' speeches rejuvenated the spirits and brought much needed hope and enthusiasm to this devotee community of metro Detroit, and encouraged them to start engaging again in group prayers and study circles, now, in this newly developed home of the Ramakrishna Ashrama.

To see more photos from the event, please click here .