Vijnanananda, Swami, 1868-1938

Swami Vijnanananda (born Hariprasanna Chattopadhyay; 30 October 1868 – 25 April 1938) was an Indian monk of Ramakrishna order, born in an upper-class family in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, and was a direct disciple of Ramakrishna. He was an engineer and worked as the District Engineer in the erstwhile State of United Provinces, India. He was a great scholar of Sanskrit with expertise in religio-philosophical works, astronomy, civil engineering etc. He spent considerable time in Allahabad (Prayag) centre of Ramakrishna Math. He became the President of Ramakrishna Mission in 1937. It was under his presidency and direct supervision that the Ramakrishna Temple at Belur Math was constructed and consecrated.