It is a temple, a place of worship, dedicated to Bhagawan Shri Ramakrishna. This new Universal Temple is a landmark, not only in Rajkot but in the whole of Gujarat. In the main shrine or the Garbha Mandir, is the white marble image of Bhagawan Shri Ramakrishna sitting on a Lotus Vedi. This Vedi as well as Murti are the exact replicas of those at Belur Math. The Temple is a blending of different styles - Hindu, Islamic, Christian, Buddhist embodying the realization of Shri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda that "Truth is one, sages call it by various names.''

The Choice

When this temple was originally conceived in the late sixties, the choice between a traditional form and a completely modern one, as well as the mode of construction - new or old, lay before us!1

In this age of change, any number of arguments can be advanced in favour of either. What guided us in favour of the present form of this temple were the twin considerations of immediate 'identification' in the minds of lay people, and 'reiteration' of the objectives of this institution, and the Gospel of Shri Ramakrishna.

A Modern Structure

The temple has been designed by our Architect Shri Madhukar Thakor, of M/s. Architectural Corner, Ahmedabad. The temple is on the lines of the Shri Ramakrishna Temple at Belur Math, which was originally conceived by Swami Vivekananda. The temple is a modern structure in the sense that the basic skeleton is of reinforced concrete without compromising with the aesthetics of the traditional stonework. 2-3

In plan, the traditional Hindu temple represents Lord Vishnu reclining on his Shesha Naga, the circular Garbha Mandir in rear, and a square Gopuram in front. It was Swami Vivekananda who implanted the Nat Mandir in between for congregationl worship. This and other ideas of the great Swami, have been duly incorporated in this temple as well.

The Main Entrance

The main entrance is a modified version of the one at Ajanta Caves. Four massive sculptured columns, the capitals of which were selected from the Ashoka Stambha, receive the Ajanta Cave arch. The key-stone at the apex is the Shiva Linga, depicting that one's mainstay in life should be God-oriented. The steps on the side of the arch are the gradual unfolding of the Divinity within till it reaches the apex - Shiva. By the side of the arch are two elephants selected from the Saranath Stupa. The scroll signifies the Ramakrishna Upanishad being unfolded.

The Emblem

Within the arch is the emblem of Ramakrishna Math and Mission, originally designed by Swami Vivekananda showing that all the four yogas (viz. the rising sun for Jnana Yoga, the lotus for Bhakti Yoga, the waves of the ocean for Karma Yoga, the circular srpent for Raja Yoga) signify that any one or all four in combination lead to the same Ultimate Reality, symbolized by the Swan.

The Temple

The temple is 168 ft. long, 60 ft. wide and 100 ft. high at its highest point. There is a basement 5 ft. below ground level housing the multi purpose Auditorium under the Natmandir and, the Bhoga room under the Garbha Mandir.

The main temple floor stands 8 ft. above the ground level. Girdling this main temple is the railing modified from the famous Sanchi Stupa railing. From ages it has come to our time that this railing enshrines the holiest of holies within, hence our choice.

The Nat Mandir

The Nat Mandir is 40 ft x 78 ft.and the vaulted roof is 26 ft. high. Swami Vivekananda desired that the Chaitya of Karli Caves be incorporated in Ramakrishna Temples. There are 8 niches which houses the oil paintings of sixteen sannyasin disciples of Shri Ramakrishna. The skylight of this roof also serves as a ventilating shaft.

Gopuram

The front of Gopuram stairs lead to the overhanging balcony overlooking the Nat Mandir and then further up to the Nahbatkhana, the traditional place from where the Shehnai is played during festival days. There Rajputana style chhatris adorn the top at this level, with overlooking Zarukhas on all sides.
Garbha Mandir

The rear or Garbha Mandir stairs land down to the Bhoga room in the basement and up to the Shayan Ghar via a set of external balconies housing the elephant parapets. The main dome is located just above the Shayan Ghar and the four domes forming the Navaratna above the corridor area.

In all there are 13 domes and 7 Chhatris, all well proportioned, affording a beautiful skyline from any direction or angle one may choose to view.

Plinth and Main Entry

The plinth and main entry is paved with stone from Chunar, situated near Varanasi. Architectural panels have sculptured concrete window posts, sills and brackets. At every individual panel, Temple Motifs (Kumbha, Conch, Deepa and Bell) are so placed that from any side all four are visible.4

The Parapet

The parapet of Nat Mandir is formed by a series of Om kangris. The elephant railing, consisting of a herd of eight elephants, as if coming down from the heaven and are in the process of garlanding the Diety. They are placed around Garbha Mandir on three sides. Just behind the elephant railings is the miniature Vishwakarma entrance. At the rear entrance is the Thunderbolt motif originally conceived by Sister Nivedita for the Indian National Flag.

As per Swami Vivekananda's concept, a number of full-bloomed lotus emblems in various sizes adorn the interior and exterior of the temple.

Murals

Separating the Nat Mandir from the Garbha Mandir are two murals. The yellow concrete mural in front, rising to a height of 26 feet represents the advent of Shri Ramakrishna, and houses the three temples associated with Him-the Vishnu temple of Gaya in the centre, on the sides,Yugi's Shiva Temple and Raghuvir Temple of Kamarpukur-the birth-place of Shri Ramakrishna. It is supported on the trunks of four of the Panchavati trees Bel, Amalakh, Ashok and Pipal. The terracotta mural located in front of Garbha Mandir represents Dakshineshwar - the Sadhana period of Shri Ramakrishna. Transporting these murals in all their original likeness was a stupendous task. To see is to believe this superb piece of art.

In the Foyer

Further in the Foyer too, there are two more murals, one from the teachings of Shri Ramakrishna - by whatever name you call it - acqua, water, pani, jal - it means the same. So in religion all paths lead to the same God and goal. The other mural drawn from Swami Vivekananda, depicts Universal Love, where the tiger and goat play together.5

Symbols of Shakti and Bhakti

Other important features appearing on the temple are : (1) Shri Ganesha placed above the front entrance represents the symbol of auspiciousness; (2) Hanumanji, an ideal devotee of Bhagawan Shri Rama, represents a symbol of Shakti and Bhakti.

The Garbha Mandir has a low internal Hindu dome, at the apex of which is an inverted full-bloomed lotus, superbly executed in white concrete. The junction of the dome and walls is marked by a sculptured border depicting a motif formed by a lotus at the base, Shiva-Linga in the centre, and Hamsa beaks on either side. The four corners have alcoves housing peacock ventilators. The canopy above the image of Shri Ramakrishna is of rose-wood. The flooring and wall cladding is in rich white Makrana marble.6

There are two parikramas, interal and external, around the Garbha Mandir, paved with chunar stone. 7

A Direct Link

At the opposite end of the Nat Mandir is a circular Renaissance arch above which is the balcony with three torans. It is interesting to note that the brackets under this balcony were made from the wooden moulds which were used in the construction of Belur Math temple in 1935, thus establishing a direct link.

The entire structure is of reinforced concerete with brick panels. Doors and windows are of rosewood. The 8 niches in the Nat Mandir, housing the direct sannyasin disciples of Shri Ramakrishna are also paneled in rose wood. The internal cladding of walls and the floors are in marble, Baroda green, Makrana white, and Bundi. 8

The Exterior

The exterior finish, especially of the domes, chhatris, parapets and windows embellishments is unique. They are pre-cast members in coloured concrete of 2'' to 3'' thickness and raised into position and grouted. The dome flutings and finials were done similarly. The process saved space as well as time. When one sees the result of this work on the main dome the feeling is one of awe. We are not aware if concrete cladding in this amount and complexity has ever been executed before. And the superb white concrete lotus in the centre of the Garbha Mandir leaves one struck dumb with admiration. 9

The entire finish to the temple is sand - faced plaster, with the colour integral in the material itself. When applied, it was terracotta shade. By the effect of the weather, this has now turned to a deep saffron - the colour of the robes of the monk.

The entire electric wiring is concealed, as also are many of the fixtures. 10

External Domes

All the external domes have gun-metal Kalash and spires respectively. At the top of the main dome is a light system housed in gun-metal frame enclosed by transparent fixtures made of reinforced plastic. Above this is the copper Kalash.11
From the main gate to the main entry is a twin concrete path separated by a water feature. This concrete path goes all round the temple. The side gates are of the Buddhistic style. The wheels represent the Ratha of Jagannath on the move.

Dedication Ceremony

His Holiness Shrimat Swami Vireswaranandaji Maharaj, the President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, laid the foundation stone of this temple on August 16, 1971 and he dedicated this temple on April 6, 1979. Without his constant inspiration and blessing, the dream of our Temple project would not have been realized. We bow in deep veneration to Him.