Vardhman Kunj
In Vrindavan, the Abode of Sri Rasaraj’s Lila, Sri Sri Ma’s holy arrival took place in the year 1927. Ma arrived with her companions in a dharmashala adjacent to the temple belonging to the king of Vardhaman. Before the Vrindavan Ashram was built, Ma used to stay in Vardhaman Kunj. Next time, in 1936, Ma again arrived in Vardhaman Kunj. Revered Gurupriya Dida has written in the Second Volume of her invaluable Diary, “Sri Sri Ma Anandamayi”
“From Agra Ma reached Mathura. Then She went to Vrindavan. She was in Vrindavan for 2-4 days. There we all stayed is a house which was like a dharmashala adjacent to the temple belonging to the King of Vardhaman. The manager, Jogen Babu, was Biren Dada’s (Gurupriya Didi’s brother’s) friend. He took great care of Ma. Later on, after introduction, it was learnt that he was a relative of Dinabandhu Babu of Cox’s Bazar.
In the same year 1936, during Her “ajnalavasa” (secret sojourn), Sri Sri Ma arrived in Vardhaman Kunj along with Biraj Mohini Didi. During Her stay there, Sri Sri Ma had the “darshan” of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in His subtle form. Sri Amulya Kumr Dutta Gupta, in the Ninth Volume of his book, “Sri Sri Ma Anandamayi Prasanga”, writes:
“When Dr. Pannalal requested Ma to narrate Her meeting with Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Ma replied, ‘Once I had gone visiting places along with Biraj Mohini only. After visiting many places, we came to Vrindavan. That time we stayed at Vardhaman Kunj in Vrindavan. It was perhaps summer then. One day, while I was lying down on the terrace, I noticed that Mahaprabhu was sitting on my right hand side. He had a tall figure and fair complexion. His head was shaven and he was sitting with his legs folded backwards.’ Ma also demonstrated the way Mahaprabhu was sitting. Again, Dr. Pannalal asked Ma, ‘Was there any conversation with Mahaprabhu? Ma replied, “Did I tell you before that there was some conversation with Mahaprabhu?” Everybody had a hearty laugh on hearing his reply in denial
In the month of April, in 1939, Ma arrived in Vardhaman Kunj, during the festival of Holi. Govinda personally came and escorted Ma to Govindaji’s temple to show Her the PhulDol (Holi played with flowers). Sri Sri Ma said, “Govindaji came and said, ‘Come along to see Phul Dol. He said this repeatedly, twice or thrice that is why I went to see Phul Dol.” Gurupriya Didi writes, “Ma’s eyes were reddened a little, and tearful. Ma said all this in such a way that we were charmed.”
Ashram Satsang Hall and Temple
Sri Sri Ananda Chalia, Radha and Sri Krishna Rudra
Nama Yagna
Radha Gobind ji of Vardhaman Kunj
Once Ma arrived at Vardhaman Kunj all of a sudden without previous information. It was probably in 1939 itself. The manager of Vardhaman Kunj, Sri Jogendra Kavytirtha, was overjoyed, He made all arrangements for Ma. Later on it was learnt that Sri Kavyatirtha’s wife came and said that some time back she had been seriously ill. She was in an unconscious state for seven days. On the seventh day, she saw that Sri Sri Ma had come and sitting beside her and raising Her hand was assuring her of recovery. After that she was fully conscious. At that time she felt as if she had got out of her slumber after a long time. After that she had an intense desire to see Ma. In the meantime a lady friend of hers came to her house from Agra. That lady consoled Kavyatirtha’s wife and said, “Ma always knows one’s inner thoughts; She will surely understand your feelings. Who knows, Ma might come here all of a sudden and give darshan to you. “They had no idea about Ma’s whereabouts. But the day after this conversation, Ma landed at Vrindavan’s Vardhaman Kunj. Then everyone could understand the purpose of Ma’s sudden visit to Vrindavan.
In September, 1976, in the presence of Sri Sri Ma, Vardhaman Kunj was handed over to Shree Shree Anandamayee Sangha. At that time, Sri Bhagavat Saptah was being conducted in the presence of Ma at Vrindavan Ashram. Long before this, the king of Vardhaman had already offered Vardhaman Kunj at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Ma. Here there are seven pairs of sanctified idols of Radha and Krishna that are supposed to be seven hundred years old. There is also a Shiva Linga installed here. Sri Sri Ma had talked about making a guest house in the vacant plot of land adjacent to this property. The plan for the guest house is also ready, though it has not been constructed yet
Ma’s room in this place is still maintained. Every year, the General Secretary of Shree Shree Anandamayee Sangha, Sri Swapan Kumar Ganguly, arrives at this place along with Ma’s devotees, performs puja of Maand of all the Deities and celebrates Dol Purnima with a lot of fanfare, Recently, some work of repairing and maintenance has been carried out in this ashram.
We earnestly pray that this Abode of Ma’s Lila maintains its sanctity and splendor forever.
