Ramakrishna Mission, Salem celebarated the inaugural function of its Centenary Celebrations from 2 February 2019 to 4 February 2019.
The Centenary Celebration of Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Salem was inaugurated by Swami Gautamananda ji , Vice President, Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math with a three-day function in a grand way. 65 monastics of our Order & sadhus & sannyasinis of local and other private centres attended.
Feb 2
The day started with Sri Ramakrishna Puja & Homa followed by Public Meeting in the morning attended by 2200.
The program started with Vedaparayana by Swami Yogirajananda, welcome address and brief history of the Ashrama by Swami Yatatmananda, Secretary.
Swami Atmaghanananda, Adhyaksha, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Kanchipuram spoke on Sri Ramakrishna.
The Centenary Souvenir was released by Rev. Swami Gautamananda ji & first copy was received by Sri P.Sivanantham, Chairman, Narasu’s Coffee Ltd. Centenary Memento for devotees and by Sri J.Rajendra Prasad, Chairman, Jairam College.
Swami Sukhadevananda, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyapith, Chennai read the messages of Revered President Maharaj, Vice President Maharajs & the General Secretary Maharaj.
Swami Tyagarajananda, Adhyaksha, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Nattarampalli spoke on Swami Vivekananda.
A new book அபயம் அளிக்கும் அமுதமொழிகள் authored by Sri Narai.S.Nellaiappan was also released by Rev. Swami Gautamananda ji & the first copy was received by Sri R.Ravindran, Managing Director, Shruthi Chemicals Ltd.
Revered Rev. Swami Gautamananda ji gave benedictory address.
Sri Narai. S.Nellaiappan spoke on Sri Sarada Devi.
Vote of thanks was given by Sri S.Perumal, President of Ashrama Managing Committee.
A cultural program was held in the evening. Abhanga, dance, drama, bhajan on Bhakta Vijayam by Cuddalore Sri Gopi Bhagavathar Goshti which attended by 1000 devotees & general public.
Feb 3
A meeting of sadhus and devotees giving reminiscences of their association with the Ashrama. It was attended by 200 devotees.
A grand procession with Sri Ramakrishna’s chariot (6.30 – 8.30 p.m) in the evening attended by 2500 devotees, students, teachers & general public.
Rev. Swami Gautamananda ji inaugurated the procession with Arati to Sri Ramakrishna. Three students dressed as Holy Trio were drawn in another horse chariot. The Horses and bull (vahana of Shiva) led the procession. There were students from Tamilnadu Govt. Music School with their Nadaswaram group & two band groups – students of Bharathi Vidyalaya & Salem Sowdeswari. Sri Ramakrishna Chariot (15’ height decorated with flowers & illuminated with flood lights) was drawn by the devotees & volunteer. The total distance covered was 3.5 kms. The procession was led by students carrying the Centenary Banner. Pudur Tuition Centre students carried the Mission flags. The Mission’s big flag was carried by one of the band party student. The Ashrama devotees sang Sri Ramakrishna bhajans.
Rev. Swami Gautamananda ji and other Swamis participated in the procession followed by Ashrama devotees.
The following bhajan groups participated: Panniru Thiru Murai Mandram, Sri Ramanuja Prabhanda, Karaikkal Ammaiyar Mathar, Swami Guhananda Thirupugazh Sabai, Kolaattam Group, Ammapet, Sri Lakshmi Hayagrivar Maathar Sangam, Namadvara Prarthanai Maiyam, Sri Rajarajeswari Mahila Samajam, Sowrashtra Maathar Nala Sangam, Sri Durga Bhajana Mandali, Sri Lakshmi Sundara Ganapathi Bhajana Mandali, Sri Ramakrishna Maruthi Bhajanai Group, Sri Panduranganathar Devasthana Bhajanai Kuzhu, Arulneri Sabai, Satya Sai Seva Samithi. NSS students of Bharathi Vidyalaya & students & teachers Salem Sowdeswari also participated. Students of Nesackkarangal also joined the procession.
The Ratha route – Ashrama – Ramakrishna Road – Vidyalaya Road –Komarasamypatty Main Road – Venkatesapuram – Chennakrishnapuram (Pillaiyar Kovil) – Rajaji Road – Kamatchi Amman Street (Cluny School) – Ramakrishna Road – Ashrama.
The Ratham was received at 20 places. Fruits offering & Arati was performed. Yatiswari Vinayakapriya Amba (age 81) & other Ambas & their teachers received the Ratham at Sri Sarada Balamandir. Smt Suseela Subramanian & her sons Murali & Raghuram distributed milk to all the participants of the procession when the Ratham visited their house.
Feb 4
Youth Convention at Sri Sarada College was attended by 3200 students & professors. Swami Atmaghanananda and Swami Bodhamayananda, Director, Vivekananda Institute of Human Excellence, Ramakrishna Math Hyderabad addressed the gathering
Rev. Swami Gautamananda ji gave the benedictory address. In total 9300 devotees, donors, volunteers, well-wishers & general public attended the three-day Centenary Inaugural function.
