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Swami Vivekananda's 163rd Birth Anniversary Celebrated at Belur Math with Rituals

The 163rd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda was celebrated at Belur Math in Howrah with day-long traditional rituals and prayers. The event, observed as National Youth Day, included processions by students and organizations inspired by his teachings. The observance at the math was conducted in a strictly non-political, spiritual manner. Meanwhile, a separate commemoration at Vivekananda's ancestral home in Kolkata saw visits from political leaders.

Key Points: Swami Vivekananda's 163rd Birth Anniversary Celebrated at Belur Math

  • Traditional rituals at Belur Math
  • Celebration of National Youth Day
  • Non-political spiritual observance
  • Processions by students and organizations
  • Parallel political event at ancestral home
2 min read

Belur Math celebrates Swami Vivekananda's 163rd birth anniversary with traditional rituals

Belur Math in Howrah celebrated Swami Vivekananda's 163rd birth anniversary with traditional rituals, prayers, and processions on National Youth Day.

Belur Math celebrates Swami Vivekananda's 163rd birth anniversary with traditional rituals
"From here shall emanate such unpolluted streams of thought as shall inundate the whole world - Swami Vivekananda"

Kolkata, Jan 12

The 163rd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda was celebrated on Monday at Belur Math, the international headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, in Howrah district, adjacent to Kolkata.

The day-long observance followed traditional rituals and cultural practices, blending devotion, reverence, and reflection on Swamiji's message of service to God through service to humanity.

The celebrations of Swamiji's birth anniversary at Belur Math began early Monday with the morning prayer of Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, the spiritual mentor of Swamiji.

The enthusiasm and devotion of thousands of followers of Swamiji, Shri Ramakrishna, and the latter's wife and spiritual consort, Maa Sarada, assembled at Belur Math over the auspicious occasion, perfectly reflected Swamiji's statement after its foundation -- Ekhane Udvinno Chota Jogotke Plabito Korbe, Manusher Jibangoti Palte Debe (From here shall emanate such unpolluted streams of thought as shall inundate the whole world and change the course of human life).

Special rituals were performed throughout the day at Belur Math to celebrate the auspicious occasion. The rituals performed on the occasion were not just spiritual but also marked by a strong intellectual and contemplative spirit.

As Swamji's birthday is observed as the National Youth Day, members of various organisations and institutions inspired by his teachings organised processions that culminated at Belur Math. Students from several educational institutions also took out morning processions to the monastery. Vedic recitations and discourses were held as part of the programme.

The entire observance at Belur Math was conducted in a non-political manner, in keeping with the institution's spiritual ethos.

Meanwhile, Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary was also commemorated at his ancestral house on Simla Street in north Kolkata. Unlike Belur Math, the event there was marked by political overtones, with leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties visiting the site from Monday morning to pay their respects.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
It's heartening to see the celebrations at Belur Math kept non-political, focusing purely on his teachings. The political visits to his ancestral house feel a bit performative in comparison.
R
Rohit P
National Youth Day is the perfect occasion to remember Swami Vivekananda. His ideas on education and character building should be part of every school's curriculum. Wish I could have been there for the Vedic recitations.
S
Sarah B
As someone visiting from abroad, learning about Swami Vivekananda's impact has been incredible. The blend of devotion and intellectual discourse mentioned here is fascinating. A global message from Kolkata.
V
Vikram M
"Service to God through service to humanity" – that line sums it all up. The Ramakrishna Mission hospitals and schools live by this every day. True tribute is in action, not just rituals.
K
Karthik V
While the celebration is great, I sometimes feel we remember these great personalities only on their birth and death anniversaries. His teachings on fearlessness and self-reliance should be a daily practice for all of us.

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