Vedanta Movement in Queensland


The Vedanta Movement in Queensland dates back to 1978, when revered Late Swami Ranganathananda (who later became the President of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission) used to visit Brisbane annually to inspire devotees and spread the words of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda (known as The Divine Trinity). Thereafter, the movement continued to gain strength by visits from revered Swami Damodarananda from Fiji and other Monks who used to hold Satsangs (holy gatherings to chant the Lords name and preach his teachings) and valuable religious discourses on the Vedanta to inspire the growing number of devotees. The objectives of the movement were to:

  1. Promote the study, practice and teachings of Vedanta Philosophy and the concept of Universal Religion as expounded by Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda.
  2. Promote harmony between Eastern and Western thoughts.
  3. Set up educational programme for teaching philosophy, comparative study of religions, cultural, moral and spiritual education and yoga lessons; and
  4. Develop programmes of philanthropic and benevolent nature to assist the poor, the needy, the aged, the lowly, the afflicted and the sick in various parts of the world.

However, the official start of the Vedanta Movement in Queensland began in February 1986 with the initiative of Dr. Mahalingam Sinnathamby (who is currently the President of the Queensland chapter) along with his family. With the registration of the society, a formal committee was established, and fortnightly meetings and prayers began to be conducted at SWARA and at the Theosophical Society in Spring Hill. Reading from the Ramakrishna Gospel and discussions pertaining to Vedanta were part of the main activities. With the guidance of Pravarjika Ajayaprana Mataji (President of Ramakrishna Sarada Vedanta Society, New South Wales), the monthly prayer meetings began to take place at the residence of the devotees. The revered Mataji guided the group by making regular visits to Brisbane and holding religious talks and retreats.


The next almost 20 years saw several religious activities and endeavours to keep the movement alive and strengthen it. By the turn of the century, the number of devotees increased from a handful to a significant mass and the confidence to financially support a permanent and independent Ashram was gained. In the year 2005, a private house was rented in Sinnamon Park to start an independent Ashram. During 2005 and 2006, several religious activities started along with spiritual discourses from the revered Swami Sridharananda who pays occasional visits and regular monthly visits by Swami Atmeshananda. Such activities include:

  1. Daily morning and evening worships
  2. Fortnightly prayer and discussions
  3. Organizing of public lectures and talks for visiting Swamis
  4. Library and distribution of books
  5. Monthly classes on the Bhagavad Gita and Religious classes for Children; and
  6. Teaching the universal principles of Hinduism at Brisbane State High and McGregor Primary Schools.

Finally, after almost 28 years, August 6, 2006 saw the fulfilment of the long awaited dream with the establishment of a permanent Ashram at 181 Burbong Street, Chapel Hill QLD 4069. The present Ashram is situated about 8 km from Brisbane CBD in a calm and peaceful locality, ideal for meditation and spiritual persuasion.


With the establishment of the permanent Ashram, the Vedanta Movement in Queensland has turned one of the most important chapters and from this point onwards numerous more religious activities are initiated in the Ashram. This includes special celebrations of the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda, celebrations for Christmas, Easter, the birthdays of Buddha and Sri Krishna, Durga Puja, Guru Purnima, Sivaratri and other holy festivals.


The Ashram is open for people of all denomination irrespective of age, nationality, religion and belief. Vedanta movement in Queensland, like other branches of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, fully respects all religions and races of the world and aims in establishing peace and harmony through the path of acquiring Divine Knowledge and Happiness.



© Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre of Queensland 2002 Inc.