Shri Atmananda Saraswathi Swamiji is the founder of this magnificent Temple. He is the disciple of Shri Nityananda Swamiji.
Shri Nityananda Swamiji, born in Kerala, was a distinguished saint revered by millions of people all over the country. Attracted to spirituality at the tender age of seven, he started meditating at a very early age. For several years he lived in a cave at Guruvana near Nileshwar in Northern coast of Kerala and continued meditation seeking spiritual strength- It is said that he attained ‘Astasiddi’ – supernatural powers, which he used for the welfare of all. Many legends connected with him are prevalent even today.
Shri Nityananda Swamiji visited Dharmasthala in 1927 and for a day, he stayed at the present site of Shree Rama Kshetra when devotees met him and had his blessings. Shri Atmananda Saraswathi Swamiji served his master at Ganeshpuri in Thana district of Bombay from 1937 to 1961 until Shri Nityananda Swamiji attained Samadhi.
During his association with his master the latter had expressed his wish to Shri Atmananda Saraswathi Swamiji to have a Rama Temple constructed in Dharmasthala village.Thus, at the behest of his master, Shri Atmananda Saraswathi Swamiji came to Shree Dharmasthala Kshetra in 1969 and made efforts to fulfil the wishes of his master. He got this site on donation from a devotee In 1971, he constructed a small thatched building in which he started “Bhagawan Shri Nityananda Mandir”.
‘Rama Bhajan Saptaha’ is conducted here every year for sevendays culminating in the grand festival of Shri Rama Navami. Thousands of devotees of Shree Rama gather here from far and near and chanting the Rama Taraka Mantra “Shree Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama” & dancing round the ‘Nandadeepa’.
Shree Athmananda Saraswathi Swamiji had a intension of opening 9 Branches of this Mutt throughout India, but he couldn’t fulfill his desires in his life time. After his Samadhi, Shree brahmananda Saraswathi Swamiji has decided to fulfill his Gurujis desire. Now 2 branches are already opened in Udupi & Batkal, Honnavara & Rajasthan Branch works are already in progress.
The main purpose of this centers are to provide moral, cultural, Adhyathma and Vedic knowledge to all people irrespective of cast & community.
