Mysore's century-old symbol of Vivekananda to be restored

Over a century-old heritage structure associated with Swami Vivekananda, when he was yet to become famous, is being restored to its original shape in Mysore.

Located in the heart of the city, it remained neglected for long causing dilapidation. The shrine in front of the structure, where the Swami meditated during his stay, was illegally occupied for a few years giving it a new name, ‘Niranjan Math’.

After visiting Chennai (then Madras), the wandering monk came to Mysore in November 1892. A veteran personality of Mysore, M Venkatakrishnayya, popular as ‘the grand old man of Mysore’ was running a hostel for poor students, ‘Anathalaya’, at this place. He accommodated the Swami in this small building along with his follower Alasinga Perumal, who was chiefly responsible for bringing the monk to Mysore, and a few other followers of the Ramakrishna order.

The monk delivered two lectures at Sadvidya Pathashala, which stands close to this ‘Anathalaya’. His erudite lectures caught the attention of Dewan Seshadri Iyer, who-se Dewan’s Bungalow, pre-sently housing the commercial tax offices, was just behind ‘Anathalaya’. He arranged a visit to the palace to meet then Maharaja Chamaraja Wodeyar.

This meeting created history. While discussing about the monk’s future plans, the Maharaja, who was highly impressed over the deep knowledge Vivekananda had on Vedanta and Indian philosophy, offered to bear the expenses of his visit to Chicago to address the parliament of World Religions and spread knowledge on Indian philosophy.

The benevolent Maharaja provided him financial help for the travel, which Swami Vivekananda gratefully acknowledged on June, 1894, “Through your Highness’ kind help it has been possible for me to come to this country. Since then I have become well known here.” The Chicago Parliament of Religions was in September 1893 within about 10 months after Vivekananda had met the Maharaja.

After Venkatakrishnayya shifted the hostel to the present Anathalaya building, the old structure lapsed into obscurity. However, coming to know of the significance of the landmark building, former MP C H Vijayashankar promised aid from the MP’s local area fund to restore the structure as a monument to the memory of Swami Vivekananda. A master plan envisaging an auditorium, meditation hall, library etc., was drawn up.

Accordingly, a team of conservationists of Mysore and expert masons from Chennai are currently engaged in restoring the structure’s old glory under supervision of Ravi Gundu Rao, a well-known engineer in restoring heritage structures. About Rs 20 lakh is sanctioned for the project. While excavating the open place to remove debris and mud accumulated over the years, they have found some column structures, probably indicating earlier existence of a ‘Mantap’-like structure.

The work taken up under JNNURM by the Mysore City Corporation is almost 80 per cent complete, says conservationist R K Harikrishna Kumar.

“The structure was in a disastrous state. We have restored its art work, Madras terrace and other portions using Madras bricks, mortar and natural binding material. We have not used any cement. After completion, it will be absolutely same as it was earlier,” he adds.