An over a century-old heritage structure, that remained neglected, is now back to its original look in Mysore.
It was declared open by Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, marking the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
What is the present ‘Niranjan Math’, was originally called ‘Anathalaya’, founded by veteran Mysorean M Venkatakrishnayya, the restored monument is now a must-visit place for the ‘wandering monk’s’ followers.
For, this is the place where the then much-less-known young monk stayed for a few days, meditated and from there he left for Chicago to achieve fame after his speech at the Parliament of Religions in September 1893.
Swami Vivekananda spent a significant amount of time in Karnataka during his wandering days - October-December 1892. He came to Belgaum in October 1892 and after a brief visit to Goa came to Bangalore where he stayed at the Kalappa Choultry in the ‘Tulsi Thota’, near the City Railway Station. While in Bangalore, he met the then Dewan Seshadri Iyer, who was highly ‘delighted with this learned sadhu.’
From Bangalore, the ‘young Acharya’ came to Mysore and stayed at the now renovated building where the ‘grand old man of Mysore’, Venkatakrishnayya ran a home for the poor and destitute boys behind the Dewan’s residence, which now houses the Commercal Tax offices.
Besides delivering two lectures at the nearby Sadvidya Pathashala, Swami Vivekananda met Maharaja Chamaraja Wodeyar at the instance of Seshadri Iyer. When asked of his future plans during the Vedantic discussions, the Swami told the Maharaja of his proposed mission to the US to participate in the Parliament of Religions “to give what treasure India possessed to the people of the West”.
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As a monk, he perhaps preferred to stay at ‘Anathalaya’ instead of the Dewan’s residence or the palace with a few accompanying followers including Alasinga Perumal, who was instrumental in the monk visiting Bangalore and Mysore. Besides, the Swami’s stay coincided with Viceroy Lord Lansdowne’s visit during November 10 to 21, 1892.
While staying at the ‘Anathalaya’, Swamiji meditated at the small shrine opposite the building.
Leaving Mysore on December 5, 1892, he visited Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi, and returned to Kolkata to leave for Chicago subsequently. In his letter dated June 23, 1894, from Chicago to Mysore Maharaja, Swami Vivekananda acknowledges: “I could come to this country because of the gracious help of the Mahaswami (Maharaja).”
The historic structure remained neglected and was encroached upon after the Anthalaya was shifted to its present location on the Narayana Sastry Road. At a cost of over Rs 20 lakh the Mysore City Corporation restored its old glory under the supervision of expert conservationists under JNNURM projects.
Dedication of the renovated structure was part of series of functions marking the 125th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda on Sunday. Besides the ongoing fourday spiritual conclave organised by Ramakrishna Ashram from April 20 to April 23, colourful procession, unveiling of the monk’s statue, and Laser show at the palace premises recalling the young saint’s visit to the city were the other highlights.