Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Chapra, Bihar is a branch Centre of the Ramakrishna Mission with Headquarters at Belur Math (Dist. Howrah, West Bengal, India,) The Ashrama, became affiliated as a branch centre of the world wide Ramakrishna Mission in 2003. The Ashrama  commemorates the birthplace in Chapra of Latu Maharaj, Swami Adbhutananda, the wonderful and great sannyasi disciple of Sri Ramakrishna.

Latu Maharaj was born into a very poor family of shepherds in Bihar's Chapra District. Latu was named by his mother 'Rakturam' as she was convinced Lord Rama had saved him when as a child he contracted smallpox and almost died. Misfortune was no stranger to the poor family and hardly they could survive for want of two nourishing meals a day. Due to the hard life in the countryside the boy lost both his mother and father when he was only five. Rakturam was brought up by his uncle who earned a small income as a shopkeeper. For a few years the boy enjoyed a happy carefree life with other children of his uncle's family. But when the family business began to fail, the compassionate uncle  took the boy to Calcutta where he sought to earn a better living. The boy, Latu, also had eventually to support himself in the city and he was at last fortunate to became a servant in the house of Sri Ramchandra Dutta, a wealthy doctor and officer in a pharmaceutical firm.

   Dr. Ramachandra was a prominent  householder disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, the great saint of Dakshineswar. Due to the goodness of the father-like Ramachandra, Latu himself came into contact with Sri Ramakrishna and also soon became his devotee. By the Guru's holy touch his life was transformed and when a young man came in contact with Narendranath Dutta (later the world renowned Swami Vivekananda) and along with others of Sri Ramakrishna's disciples he became a sannyasi with the name Swami Adbhutananda. Thereafter, Latu Maharaj's (Swami Adbhutananda’s) life was a great inspiration to all who came to him. He was not forgotten even after his death. Many people of Chapra were inspired by his spiritual effulgence long after his passing away in 1920. In this way, in 1993 a few professional men of Chapra and their families became the founders of an Ashrama in Chapra in Latu Maharaj's name. The private organization became affiliated as a branch centre of the world-wide Ramakrishna Mission Organization in 2003.

The activities of Chapra Ashrama aim at improving the material, spiritual, and cultural well-being of society. Spiritual and cultural well being of the common people are impossible unless some amount material wealth is generated and they attain good nutrition, health and education. So the Ashrama runs a free Non-formal Primary School & Coaching Centre for classes kindergarten up to class VIII, also a charitable (free) medical dispensary and mobile medical unit, with staff of doctors.

The Ashrama has taken up the challenge to provide health, & hygiene, medical service, primary & vocational education to below poverty-line people and villagers living in substandard conditions Pure drinking water is supplied by drilling tube wells, and food, clothing and building materials are supplied in times of natural disaster or calamity, like severe cold, flood and devastating fires.

All the activities are conducted charitably (i.e. free) to the public without discrimination of class, community or religious preference. Everything runs due to the generous donations given by the public, business organizations and trusts. We always appeal to the public and individuals for regular donations to support our work for the poor and needy people.
 

Prayer, worship, and meditation, discourses on spiritual subjects are conducted regularly in the Ashrama temple, dedicated to Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna Deva, Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, and Swami Vivekananda. During the year the main religious festivals are observed, such as the Birth Anniversaries of the Holy Trio, Sri Krishna Janmasthami, Sri Ram Navami, Sri Sri Durga and Kali Pujas, the Christian festival of Christmas Eve, Buddha Jayanti, and others.