The Beginning Mahavir Hanuman Mandir

Establishment of the Mahavira Temple

After the construction of two rooms, one at the ground floor and the other above it, at the northern end of the main building of the Ashrama, the beddings and clothes used by Swami Adbhutanandaji Maharaj were brought in with the help of his devotees on 18 February 1923, being 'Maghi Purnima' day. A unique oil painting of Swami Adbhutanandaji was also preserved there. In the room just below, a beautiful marble idol of Mahavira with his breast torn open to exhibit the images of Sri Rama and Sita was installed on a marble altar. Swami Shivanandaji who was present at Kashi on the auspicious day of Maghi Purnima performed the installation ceremony. A special puja of Mahavira and Homa were performed. A large congregation of the monastics took place and the Ramnama Samkritana was sung in the afternoon. Swami Shivanandaji announced that since the actual date of birth of Swami Adbhutanandaji was not known, the day of Maghi Purnima should, hence forward be observed as his birthday. Later, in the aforesaid first floor room, the loose saffron cloak, water bowl and a desk for letter writing used by Swami Shivanandaji and also some old letters written by Swami Akhandanandaji and Swami Premanandaji Maharaj kept in an almirah were also preserved there. Also the sacred saffron cloth with broad red border one of the pieces that the Guru (Master) Sri Ramakrishna had gifted to His disciples at the Cossipore garden house in Calcutta and belonging to Swami Adbhutanandaji was also preserved. However, most of the articles have subsequently been shifted to the Museum at the Belur Math for preservation.