Dakshineswar Ramkrishna Sangha Adyapeath, founded in 1921 by Sri Annada Thakur, is an organization dedicated to the service of humanity and the worship of the Divine Mother. Sri Annada Thakur believed us all to be the sons and daughters of the same Mother. Therefore, every monk in the Sangha is addressed as bhai (Bengali for "brother"). On a large compound just outside Calcutta in the historic vil
lage of Dakshineswar, the Sangha operates orphanages, schools, homes for the elderly, ashrams, and services for the poor, including food, clothing, and medical care. At the center of all this activity is a loving devotion to the Divine Mother, in the tradition of the great Bengali saint, Sri Ramakrishna, in a uniquely beautiful white marble temple. Architecture and Symbolism :-
The main temple of Adyapeath is unique in both its architecture and its symbolism. Made of immaculate white marble, it is really three temples nestled inside one another. The temple's symbolism denotes not only the unity of all aspects of the Hindu faith, but the unity of all religions toward a common goal: humanity's realization of God. Its spire combines Shiva's Trident, the Moon and Star, the Cross, and the Hand Fan--the symbols of Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism respectively. The Main Altar:-
Like the temple itself, the main altar also takes a very unusual configuration: three altars, one atop the other, like stairsteps. On the bottom altar is a murthi of Sri Ramakrishna, with the word "Guru" inscribed nearby. On the middle altar is a replica of the murthi of Adya Ma found by Annada Thakur in the Eden Garden. This murthi is made of eight metals. Nearby is inscribed "Knowledge and Work." The Main Adyapeath Temple :-
The Tri Murthi:-
The topmost altar is adorned by the murthis of Radha and Krishna, known all over India as the Divine Couple. They are encircled by the sacred syllable om, and at their feet is inscribed the word "Love." Thus love is the foremost virtue and the clearest path to God.
