The Punarudharana Maha Kumbhabhishekam of Sri Ramakrishna Temple, Salem, was held with great solemnity on Sunday, 31 August 2025, between 9.00 a.m. and 10.45 a.m., in the divine presence and blessings of the Holy Trinity — Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, and Swami Vivekananda.
The auspicious event was graced by Most Revered Srimat Swami Gautamanandaji Maharaj, President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math, who visited Salem Ashrama, witnessed the Kumbhabhishekam, and blessed the devotees. 97 Swamis, including local Matajis and monks from various centres, attended the sacred occasion.
At 9.45 a.m., the auspicious Kalasas carrying holy water were ceremoniously taken in procession, followed by the Maha Kumbhabhishekam, Maha Samprokshanam, and Maha Deeparadhana. A Sri Ramakrishna Homam was conducted from 11.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Thereafter, Maha Annadana Prasad was served to 5,370 devotees. In the evening, cultural performances included Kolattam by Salem Shevapet Sri Rukmani Sri Panduranganatha Kolatta Group (5.00–6.00 p.m.) and Bharatanatyam by Dr. Meenakshi Priya Raghavan & team (Sri Vinayaka Natyalaya, 7.00–8.30 p.m.).
On 1 September 2025, Most Revered Swami Gautamanandaji Maharaj gave Mantra Diksha to 71 devotees in the morning and delivered a Benedictory Address in the evening after Arati.
Mandala Puja Special Programmes (1–11 September 2025)
A series of cultural and spiritual programmes were held daily from 1–11 September, between 7.00 p.m. and 8.30 p.m., with Prasad distribution on all days. Highlights included:
- 1 Sept: Veena recital by Mrs. Sasikala Haribabu (400 devotees)
- 2 Sept: Discourse on The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna by Swami Atmaghanananda, Chennai (350)
- 3 Sept: Devotional songs by Mettur brothers Dr. G. Sanjeevi & Dr. R. Murali (475)
- 4 Sept: Harikatha on Kaliyuga Avatara by Swami Harivratananda, Coimbatore (500)
- 5 Sept: Puppet Show on Arupadai Veedu by Kalaimamani M. Somasundaram & team, Mayiladudurai (525)
- 6 Sept: Terukoothu on Kali Avatara by Kalaivani Nataka Sabha, Yercaud (520)
- 7 Sept: Meenakshi Thirukalyana Natya Nataka and Harischandra Drama by students of Sri Sarada Vidyalaya, Salem (600)
- 8 Sept: Discourse on Saints Who Founded a New Era by Sri N. S. Nellaiappan, Vanavasi (510)
- 9 Sept: Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Akhanda Parayanam by 108 devotees (550)
- 10 Sept: Devotional songs by Tamil Nadu Medai Mellisai Kalaingargal Sangam, Salem (450)
- 11 Sept: Moola Mantra Japa Parayana Homam (morning) and Guru Kripa Upanyasam by Sithanvazhoor Brahmasri Sri Rama Sasthrigal, Thanjavur (evening, 600)
Preliminary Rites
Prior to the Kumbhabhishekam, preliminary pujas, yagnas, Veda Parayana, Thirumurai Parayana, and the first and second phases of Yaga Puja were conducted on 29 and 30 August 2025, attended by 1,750 devotees.
The Maha Kumbhabhishekam rituals were performed under the guidance of Sarva Sadhakam, Veda Sivagama Ratnam, Sivagama Praveena Sivasri R. Neelakantha Vamadeva Shivam, while the temple gopuram was renovated under the craftsmanship of Sirpakalai Semmal Sri A. Sakthivel, Salem.
During the period of the celebrations, Sri Rajendran, Tourism Minister, Government of Tamil Nadu, visited the Ashrama on 6 September. The entire series of programmes received wide coverage in the local press.
Participation & Annadana
From 28 August to 11 September 2025, a total of 14,595 devotees participated in the programmes, and Annadana Prasad was served to all.
