As an itinerant monk (parivrajaka sanyasi), Swami Vivekananda visited the city of Belagavi from 16 to 27 October 1892. This 12-day visit revolved around two buildings where he stayed: Sadashiv Bhate’s house (Risaldar Galli) and Haripada Mitra’s.
The room where Swami Vivekananda had stayed at Sadashiv Bhate’s house (Risaldar Galli)has been maintained as a shrine and contains a cot, stick and a standing mirror said to have been used by him. The other house where Swamiji stayed for the remaining 9 days at Belagavi as a guest of Sri Haripada Mitra is now maintained as a monument within the main Ashrama at Belagavi located within the Fort.
The first 3 days were spent as a guest of Sri Sadashiv Balakrishna Bhate, an eminent lawyer. The remaining 9 days stay was at the house of Sri Haripada Mitra, a sub-divisional forest officer. The ownership of Bhate’s house changed hands over time. Later owners divided the house among themselves by building partition walls. Other structures were also added in and around the house.
In 1987, one of these portions of the house was gifted by its owner to a group of devotees to start an independent Ashrama in it. In 2006, this Ashrama was formally affiliated as a sub-centre of the Ramakrishna Mission in Belagavi. Finally, in 2014, the remaining part of the house was acquired by the Ramakrishna Mission. Detailed inspection of the entire building revealed poor maintenance.
Swami Vivekananda Memorial – Swami Vivekananda Marg (Risaldar Galli)
This restored structure was dedicated on February 1, 2019 as the Swami Vivekananda Memorial, and now comprises the following Exhibition-cum-museum including Swamiji’s room with a cot, large mirror and walking stick used by him Galleries with paintings, murals and sculptures on the life, personality and teachings of Swami Vivekananda, his visit to Belagavi, etc. Digital gallery for interactive dissemination of Swamiji’s teachings Restoration Gallery providing details of the restoration of the house Audio-visual room for videos, films and presentations Multi-purpose hall used for lectures, Sanskrit &c yoga classes, student interactions, cultural events, etc. Bookstore containing Ramakrishna-Vivekananda-Vedanta literature and youth-oriented books
Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Fort, Belagavi
During his stay at Sri Sadashiv Bhate’s house, Swamiji was introduced to Sri Haripada Mitra, the then-sub-divisional forest officer, who invited him to stay at his official residence. Swamiji agreed and spent the next 9 days at Haripada Mitra’s house before leaving Belagavi.
This house continued to be under the forest department in later years. In June 2000 it was given by the Government of Karnataka to the Ramakrishna Mission to start an Ashrama at Belagavi.
A Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna was also subsequently constructed on an adjacent piece of land and consecrated in January 2004.
The house where Swamiji spent 9 days as a guest of Haripada Mitra is now maintained as a monument.
Numerous activities are conducted in the Ashrama for all sections of the society. The Ashrama also runs a bookstore containing Ramakrishna-Vivekananda-Vedanta literature including youth- oriented book.
Timings – Temple: 5 am to 12 PM & 4 pm to 8 PM
Office : 9:30 am to 12 pm & 4 pm to 6 PM
Book Store: 9:30 am to 12 pm & 4 pm to 7 pm
Saudatti is a holy place…needs to be managed and developed like a pilgrimage centre…with lodging and boarding facilities.