Swami Vivekananda at belgaum

Haripada Mitra was one of Swamiji’s hosts while he was staying in Belgaum in 1892. In his reminiscences, he recalled his first impression of Swamiji when he was told: “Here is a learned Bengali sannyasin who has come to meet you.” I turned back and found a serene figure with his eyes flashing like lightning and a face clean shaven. His body was covered with an ochre robe, in [on] his feet he had strapped sandals of the Maharashtrian type; and on his head was an ochre turban. The figure was so impressive that it is still vivid in my memory.13 Haripada convinced Swamiji to accept both him and his wife as disciples. In his reminiscences, he remarked further: I had a desire to have his photograph. He would not agree. I persisted, and after a long-drawn tussle, he gave his consent and a photograph was taken on the 28th. [This photo was taken prior to the twenty-eighth, since Swamiji is reported to have left Belgaum on the twenty-seventh.] As Swamiji had not agreed to be photographed on an earlier occasion, in spite of the earnest request of another gentleman, I had to send two copies of this one to him on request.14 Another source states: The small wooden stand that can be seen at the left corner is still preserved at the studio.15 The name of the studio was “S. Mahadev & Son” and the photograph was taken by one Govinda Shrinivas Welling (d. 1926). The studio still exists (Welling Camera Works, Welling House, B.C. 86, Belgaum Cantt. 590-001), but is no more in business, having closed down in 1970.16