Ramakrishna Mission, Kanpur, embarked on a year-long centenary celebration of its Kanpur Ashrama on November 14, 2024. The inauguration ceremony commenced with a special Puja and Havan dedicated to Sri Ramakrishna, coinciding with the auspicious birth anniversary of Swami Vijnananandaji Maharaj, the visionary who laid the foundation stone of the Ashrama in 1936. Over 800 devotees, including 200 students from the Mission’s school, partook in the sacred rituals and received divine blessings.
In the evening, a public meeting was convened at the Vivekananda Hall. Swami Vishwatmananda ji from Ramakrishna Advaita Ashrama, Varanasi, graced the occasion as the chief guest. Dr. S.S. Singal, President of the Managing Committee, and Sri Anup Kumar Shukla, Secretary of the Kanpur Itihas Samiti, delivered insightful speeches, shedding light on the Ashrama’s illustrious 100-year journey. The Ashrama’s secretary extended a warm welcome and introduced the speakers. Over 150 devotees attended the event, which concluded with a refreshment for all.
To commemorate the centenary, the Ashrama’s buildings, including the temple, were adorned with dazzling electric illuminations.
The celebrations had begun earlier, from November 10 to 13, with the recitation of Sundarkand from Goswami Tulsidas’s Ramacharitmanas, following the evening Sandhya Arati. Led by Swami Kavishananda of Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati, and accompanied by Sri Ranjan Dixit on the tabla, an average of 40 devotees participated in the devotional recitation each day.
