Swami Vivekananda Building in Thousand Island, New York

 

Swami Vivekananda Building in Thousand Island, New York State

Sachi G. Dastidar

 

            Swami Vivekananda, 1863-1902, a Hindu monk of India was born as Narendrannath Datta, is well known as a philosopher and pro-independence activist, as well as his visit to the Parliament of Religions in 1893 in Chicago. This event was a part of Chicago’s World Fair. In that year no Hindu was invited to Parliament of Religions. Brahmo Samaj, a new form of monotheistic Hinduism that began in early 1800s by Raja Ram Mohon Roy of Kolkata, Bengal, India, was invited. Swamiji was not on official agenda for presentation, so he couldn’t speak. However, at the request of Brahmo Samaj representative Protapchandra Mozoomdar Swamji was given a minute or two to address which caused a real sensation among delegates and was asked to speak for more time.

            Swamiji traveled to many other places before and after that event, which included New York City, and barely known visit to Upstate New York’s beautiful Thousand Island area on St. Lawrence River connecting United States and Canada. Even in 1800s beauty of the land attracted many important personalities, including philosophers, thinkers, writers and industrialists as their summer retreat. Swamiji was invited to visit the place and discuss Hindu philosophy. Thousand Island is now a park as well as hundreds of island-based homes. Transportation to the islands is generally by private by boat.

            During a visit to our friend Ms. Florence Patterson, an African-American, of nearby Brasher Falls we decided to visit Swamiji’s former retreat. We also took a tour of hundreds of islands by a tour boat.

            Now Swamiji’s former retreat is owned and managed by Ramakrishna Mission and Vedanta Society of New York City, but open all during summer.

            Here are few pictures of our trip. 

 

 

 

Pictures from Boat Trip to Islands