Built in 1863, Dilaram Bungalow served as the residence of Diwan Manibhai Mehta. Currently housing the Ram-Krishna Mission Memorial, the bungalow was gifted to the Mission due to its past association with Swami Vivekananda.
For a while, the bungalow was allocated to government officers and forest officers to stay. It was only in 2005 that the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi handed over the bungalow to the Ram-Krishna Mission.
Tour of Gujarat and stay at Baroda:
Before departing for the USA to participate in the Chicago Parliament of Religions, Swami Vivekananda traveled extensively across India for about three years, with a significant period spent in Gujarat. During his tour, he visited places such as Ahmedabad, Limbdi, Junagadh, Dwarka, Somnath, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Bhuj, Narayan Sarovar, Bhavnagar, Palitana, Nadiad, among others.
In Gujarat, Swamiji engaged in discussions with princes and Diwans not only on philosophy and religion but also on important economic and political issues concerning the welfare of the states. He provided practical advice, sometimes even drafting diplomatic letters. It was during his wanderings in Gujarat that Swamiji first came to the attention of the intelligence department.
Swami Vivekananda arrived in Vadodara on 24th April 1892 and stayed as a guest of Shri Manilal Mehta, the Diwan of Vadodara at that time, who resided in Dilaram Bungalow. During his stay, Swami Vivekananda discussed the educational system of the state with Shri Manilal Mehta. He also visited the library and viewed the paintings by Ravi Varma at Lukshmi Vilas Palace before leaving for Mumbai, probably on 26th April 1892.
Interestingly, Swamiji did not meet Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III during his visit, although he had expressed admiration for the Maharaja’s qualities to others. Swami Vivekananda was also impressed with Maharani Chimnabai II of Baroda and mentioned her in his correspondence.
The building underwent renovation in 2015 and continues to maintain its association with Swami Vivekananda, housing the Ram-Krishna Mission Vivekananda Memorial. The mission remains active in educational, medical, and welfare activities, following Swamiji’s message of honoring the divine in all human beings.
Partial Source: RamKrishna Mission Vadodara
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