Matri Smriti Museum and Research Centre

With a view to preserve for posterity the relics associated with Shri Shri Ma a museum has been established with donations from devotees at Ma Anandamayee Ashram, Kankhal, Haridwar. It is situated on the left bank of the road, in the bungalow located on the right bank of river Ganga (Kankhal branch) and this bungalow was specially built for Shri Ma’s use by Shri S.N. Ghosh & Smt. Ranu Ghosh who donated it to Shree Shree Ma Anandamayee Sangha. Before Shri Ma took Mahasamadhi she stayed here for about 2 months. The bedroom of Shri Shri Ma on one side and the kitchen on the other side is maintained as such with a hall now carved in the centre to exhibit clothes, corporeal relics of Shri Shri Ma, ritualistic objects, rare piece of paper in which Ma’s handwriting is preserved, certain handicrafts made by Shri Shri Ma including a carpet used by her during her pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar. The collection besides many items consists of a pair of Manjira which was used during ‘kirtans’ by Shri Shri Ma. The objects also includes some articles presented to Shri Shri Ma by her devotees. The clock which was kept in Shri Shri Ma’s room is also shown recording the time of Maha Samadhi on 27th August, 1982.

The exhibited collection also contains a large number of paintings depicting her life’s journey from Kheora to Kankhal. Amongst photographs include portraits of her family. There are large number of photographs taken during her sadhana days in Shahbag etc. There are also photographs showing her different moods and association with contemporary Mahatmas and political leaders. The first floor of the building contains a large number of paintings of Ma’s life, a small auditorium and a Research centre. The library containing books on Shri Shri Ma and all religions is situated in the new block of the main Ashram premises.