On 12 January 2026, the Ramakrishna Mission Swami Vivekananda’s Ancestral House and Cultural Centre in Kolkata celebrated the 164th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda and the 42nd National Youth Day with great solemnity and enthusiasm.
Morning Commemoration
The day’s events began at dawn with Mangal Arati, marking the start of a series of spiritual and cultural observances. The ancestral house was elaborately decorated with colorful lights and floral arrangements to honor the occasion.
A vibrant procession was a major highlight of the morning:
- Participants: Approximately 3,500 students from 30 local schools, alongside monks, devotees, and residents.
- Route: The procession was flagged off from the base of Swami Vivekananda’s statue, covering a 3.5-kilometer route through central Kolkata before returning to the Ancestral House.
- Displays: Students carried colorful placards with Swamiji’s messages, and five tableaus depicting Sri Ramakrishna (Thakur), Sarada Devi (Ma), and Swami Vivekananda accompanied the march.
Devotional Services and Public Gathering
Throughout the day, a massive stream of devotees visited the site:
- Attendance: About 50,000 devotees paid their respects at the statue of Swami Vivekananda.
- Birthplace Visitation: Approximately 15,000 people visited the newly renovated shrine at Swamiji’s birthplace and the Vireshwar Shiva shrine, often waiting in long queues to offer their prayers.
- Prasad: Visitors and devotees were served prasad as part of the celebration.
Evening Cultural and Religious Programmes
The celebration continued into the evening with several high-profile events at the Thakur Dalan:
- Musical Programmes: Devotional songs and soul-moving musical performances were held throughout the day and into the night.
- Religious Discourse: Swami Vedaswarupananda Maharaj and Swami Dhyeyananda Maharaj delivered discourses on the life and enduring message of Swami Vivekananda.
- Capacity: The courtyard in front of the Thakur Dalan remained packed with devotees and admirers until the conclusion of the events.
The day served as a powerful opportunity for the youth and devotees to reflect on Swamiji’s ideals, renew their faith, and recommit themselves to his vision of character-building and national service.
