Kalpataru Utsav: This is the kind of day that Sri Ramakrishna blessed his devotees to have for they would have everthing that they wished for.
Today, on the first of January, 2025, it is Kalpataru Utsav. This day is considered to be the day in 1886 when Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was initiated into theكتbash Ghar, at Kashipur, and he became the Kalpataru Patta. It is said that in the holy hour of this day Sri Ramakrishna completed the dreams of his devotees and emerged as an avatar.
History behind Kalpataru Day
Sri Ramakrishna spent the last few days of his incarnate existence in this world at Kashipur Garden House in North Kolkata. He was struggling to survive from throat cancer, being treated by his disciples and physicians. Though seriously ill on New Year’s Day 1886, he felt a little stronger and went out into the garden. Those closest to this account description say the man got extremely spiritual and started putting his hands on people as well as blessing them. Nowhere did he say, “Be illumined” During those days, through his lips, “May you be illumined” enriched the lives of his followers and blessed them with profound spiritual occurrences.
To his followers Sri Ramakrishna was the embodiment of Lord Narayana. This particular day also marked the fact that he was divine to his followers and they were strengthen and committed to him. Only a few weeks later, Sri Ramakrishna left his earthly home, but the story of this day is considered a sacred one in the lives of his disciples.
The Annual Event Of Kalpataru Utsav
The devotees of Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda and the Ramakrishna Mission celebrate the Kalpataru Utsav on every 1st of January with immense faith. It is celebrated at centers that have direct relation with Sri Ramakrishna’s life such as the Kashipur Garden House, Dakshineswar Kali Temple and Belur Math. He has disciples who flock in thousands to have been taught a specific way, to pray and even start the year with prayers.
Again as ill the previous years, people flocked the sacred places in the early morning. Prayers in the form of special songs, prayers and passages from the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna were offered. Kashipur crematorium, Dakshineswar Temple, Belur Math, Kamarpukur and Adyapith were the places that attracted mass where people remembered their beloved guru .
Mythological Background of the Kalpataru Tree
According to Hindu Mythology, the kalpataru tree is a divine tree of wishgiving said to b situated in the gardens of Indra . Hindu Puranas state that Kalpataru is one of the ratnas born of Samudra Manthan the churning of the ocean. People say that once you speak a honest and genuine wish aloud under it, then your wish will come true.
That is why the Kalpataru is also associated with the earthly devotion and divine boons, as well as with the story of Lord Krishna. To fulfill the request of his wife Satyabhama, Krishna got the Parijat tree — which is an incarnation of the Kalpataru — from Indra’s garden to the earth.
Spiritual and Cultural Impact
It has become a tradition of back home not only in memory of the miraculous blessings that was showered by Sri Ramakrishna on that particular day but also the lesson of universal brotherhood that was taught by him . His life proved that there is no discordancy between two or more religions and there is Only God. The day make the followers to remember their spiritual goals as well as practice virtuous and selfless character and having faith in God.
The celebrations also portray the pluralism of Sri Ramakrishna which is consist of the codes of both Hinduism and Islam. People of all the realms of life come assembled and this function dissolves the social evil of castism, feminist and sexisms and everyone prostrates together and pray together.
Kalpataru Day: Happy New Year: A Fresh Spiritual Year
This regulated and blessed day lets a person begin a new life from scratch, both spiritually and personally as being the first day of the year. Ordinary followers employ the day to recommit themselves to their religious path, learn about the principles of Sri Ramakrishna, and share positivity.