Ridgely Manor at
Stone Ridge, New York
Bibek-Dham
"All Religions are equal. More Religions mean more means to God. I reached Him by Hinduism, Christianity and Muslim faiths. All rivers go to the same ocean. We gave different names but the ocean is one entity and so is God." - Lord Rama Krishna Param Hansa Dev.
St. Peter's Cathedral, Belur Math and Nakhoda Masjid at Kolkata.
Lord Rama Krishna Parmhansa of Dakhshineswar, North Kolkata, attained God by all religions and preached their equality, had personal touch with Goddess Kali, gave simple answers to toughest philosophical questions without a formal education. Swami Vivekananda, His ideological son and the best disciple, glorified Hinduism, Vedanta and India to the rest of the world through his lifelong preachings that began at World Parliament of Religions at Chicago on 11th Sept 1893.
During his trips to USA Swami Vivekananda stayed three times at Ridgely Manor, Stone Ridge near Albany, NewYork. Here he indoctrinated the beloved Margaret Noble, Sister Nivedita. Nivedita, as her name means, really dedicated her life for the uplift of Indian women and inspiring freedom fighters. Her connections with freedom fighters prevented her joining the Rama Krishna Mission. She established a Girls School at Bagbazar, North Kolkata with a donation from Betty Legget, the lady of the Ridgely Manor. Lady Legget also endowed for Belur Math, the present international Head-Quarter of RamaKrishna Mission. Thus Ridgely is a Holy Historical place. Below are pictures of Swamiji's Bed Room on left and the dining room on right. The visitor's book has his signature.
Ridgely Manor, a gorgeous Mansion, was established by Francis Leggett in 1890. Francis was the first President of Vedanta Society, NY established by Swamiji in 1894. It is on a 83 acres of land of which 45 are farmland. Besides the Manor it has two cottages McLeod House for women and Leggett House for men. The Leggett family cherished Swamijis memories through generations. Their heir Lord Frances Margesson due to age wanted to sell the property and to keep the memories of Swamiji alive. The property was valued at $1.2 Million.
At first Rama Krishna Mission did not show much interest. Five eastern lady disciples from Sarada Society under the stweardship of Joan Schak began raising funds. They raised considerable amount. One day I went to Ridgely with Mr. and Mrs. Mono Ranjan Sen, now Deputy Mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey. I vowed to join the force. I talked to Margessons to extend the deadline since I planned to add new dimensions to this noble effort. With Mono Sen we distributed literatures in community events, festivals, arranged Joan to speak in gatherings and in private homes. I mailed to many notable peoples. I contacted Mr. Brij Lal of Bharat Bani to Boradcast about Ridgely and contacted newspapers to publicize with photos that are here.
A sapling was taken by Josefine MacLeod from a pine tree under which Swamiji preached while at Greenacre Conference, Maine. Of three seedlings this one survived. It was planted by Legget's daughter France.
In the Drwaing Room from left, Joan Schak, Monica Sen, Lord and Lady Margesson and Jersey City Deputy Mayor Mr. Mono Ranjan Sen.
We had lot of supports from the community. Swami Tathagatananda of Vedanta Society, NY helped us. However, we were prevented from distributing literatures at RK Mission, NY on Sarada Ma's birthday as per rules. We did not wait until the end to seek permission from Swami Adiswarananda as I promised. Barry mistreated Mono Sen.
I was also heckled on the street while trying to distribute. Barry told me that I am not respectful of RK mission. I replied that he can call the police. I said they are here because of Swami Vivekananda. By blocking our noble efforts they are not showing respects to Swamiji. Since then Mono Sen did not get invitations from RK Mission. I went on its centenary but was not allowed to meet the delegates from Belur.
I was furious and wrote to Swami Atmasthanandaji at Belur mentioning our experiences at RKM, NY and asked that they must take Swami Vivekananda's ancestral house at Shimulia and the Ridgely Manor and sent a copy to my class friend, Tushar Maity, editor of Ananda Bazar Patrika, the largest Daily at Calcutta. I sent my photo, mentioned how I defied threats from Naxalites to save Narendrapur, mentioned of my family members like Madhusudan Majumdar of famous publishing house Dev Sahitya Kutir and Kiran Sinha of Howrah who endowed RKM. Swami Swatantrananda was our family friend. Swami Ramananda, Barun Da, our school Principal is now in Board of Trustee at Belur.
My dream came true when RKM listened to both of my prayers. Swami Swahananda of Los Angeles raised the funds. Swami Atmarupananda is now at Ridgely. The project still has $400,000 loan to be repaid in 10 years. Be 1 of 400 to make it a success. I want it to teach Vedanta, have seminars on religions, that there be a library, a museum, a prayer hall, an auditorium. It is a Holy place and will draw crowds from far like a pilgrimage.
It is 100 miles from Manhattan. Take NY thruway Rt 87N towards Albany and then Kingston Exit 19, to Rt 28W quickly to Rt 209S for 9 miles. There is a bank and Mobil Gas station on left. Turn left on Leggett Avenue. Turn left after 1/4th mile on the third lane to Ridgely Manor. Aug 28th is observed as Swamiji's longest 10 week stay at Ridgely. Please visit Ridgely with family. 914- 687- 4574 [email protected]
