Ramana Kendra

Ramana Kendra, situated at No.8 Institutional Area at Lodhi Road in New Delhi, is a spiritual center dedicated to the teachings of the great saint Sri Ramana Maharishi. There are many such centers not only in India but also abroad, propagating the teachings of Sri Ramana Maharishi. Apart from Ramana Kendra at New Delhi, there are centers at Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala and even in North America, South America, Australia and Europe promoting the message of Sri Ramana.

Ramana Kendra at New Delhi – A Quest to the Inner Self

The Ramana Kendra at New Delhi is the fruit of ardent efforts by a few devotees of Sri Ramana Maharishi. It was in 1960 that a group of friends gathered to discuss and share their experiences of their association with the Maharishi. It was then they felt the need to have a center solely dedicated to the propagation of Maharishi’s teachings. Their efforts paid off and Ramana Kendra, Delhi came into being on March 28, 1963.

Sri Ramana Maharishi – The Life that Continues to Enlighten

Today, there are many who preach spirituality but how many of them live an austere, simple life? Very few! Sri Ramana Maharishi was unlike any of them. He never asked for followers, neither did he promote himself. It was just luck that his mediation at a cave at Arunachalam Hills in Tamil Nadu was discovered by some people and they went on to spread what they learnt from him. In brief, Sri Ramana’s life was about self-realization, an answer to ‘Who am I?’.

Born as Venkataraman in the village of Tiruchuzhi, Tamil Nadu, he led a normal life till the age of 17. A near death experience in 1896 led to his self awakening and self realization. He moved to the sacred Arunachala Hills, regarded as a manifestation of Lord Shiva. He stayed there until his death in 1950. Kavya Kanta Ganapathi Muni, one his first followers, renamed Venkataraman as Bhagvan Sri Ramana Maharishi, a name by which the saint was known all over the world.

His teachings soon spread far and wide and many followed him. Most of his teachings were in the form of verbal replies to questions posed by his devotees. He led a simple life and made no distinction between poor or rich, famous or unknown. Anybody could visit him any time. For him, everything around him was sacred and is to be regarded with respect, be it humans, animals or nature. He never encouraged even plucking of flowers from plants and when fruits had to be plucked from trees, he would ask his followers to do so gently so that the tree wouldn’t incur much pain!

Even after six decades after his demise, Sri Ramana Maharishi has lakhs of followers even today. He was a true saint who never asked for fame or disciples, but got lakhs of them, who still promote his way of life and teachings. Ramana Kendra, New Delhi is one such center established by his devotees.

An overview of Ramana Kendra

Ramana Kendra comprises of a shrine and a complex adjacent to it. The shrine’s shape reminds of the pious Arunachala Hill and provides perfect ambience for meditation with a quiet and peaceful atmosphere to those seeking spirituality. Prayers are held regularly at the shrine. The shrine is open from 7 am in the morning.

The Kendra also houses a splendid library with thousands of books on philosophy and religion in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. It is indeed a storehouse of knowledge for anyone interested in spirituality and religious studies. There is also a spacious auditorium with a capacity for a hundred people. Discourses, yoga programmes and devotional music sessions are regularly held here. The auditorium facility can be availed by any who wish to hold such events. The library and the office of the Kendra opens at 10.30 a.m and closes at 5 pm every day.

Activities at the Ramana Kendra

Ramana Kendra publishes a bi-monthly magazine titled, ‘Direct Path-Ramana Gyan’, that contains the teachings of Sri Ramana Maharishi and thoughts shared by Ramana devotees.

Many occasions of religious significance are celebrated with great devotion at Ramana Kendra. Sri Ramana’s birth and death anniversaries are also observed every year at the Kendra. Hundreds of devotees from all walks of life attend these festivities. During these events, seminars and cultural programmes are also held. Regular classes are also held on religious texts such as Upanishads and Bhagvad Gita daily at the auditorium. Every Sunday evening, there are lectures and seminars at the Kendra.

The best thing about Ramana Kendra is that it is a place for anyone from any part of the world or religion who wants to seek an answer to ‘Who am I?’ Browsing through the teachings of Sri Ramana and spending some peaceful moments at the serene Ramana Kendra, spiritual seekers do get to experience a sense of peace and detachment, values that Sri Ramana preached.