To commemorate the 115th anniversary (2 April 1911 – 2 April 2026) of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi’s visit to Rajamahendravaram, the following programs were held:
Spiritual Programme (2 April 2026)
The event took place at the Sri Sarada Devi Mandapam near Pushkar Ghat on the banks of the Godavari. The evening session included:
- Rituals: Vedic chanting, Arati, and Pushpanjali.
- Devotion: Bhajans, Sri Lalitha Sahasranama Parayanam, Sri Saradanama Sankirtanam, and Samuhika Nama Japam.
- Participation: 200 devotees attended the programme, and prasad was served to all.
Narayana Seva (30 March 2026)
In connection with the anniversary, service activities were conducted in the Polavaram District:
- Dignitaries: The local MLA, Smt. Sirisha Devi, participated in the distribution program.A total of 130 students participated in this inspiring session.
- Distribution: 200 sarees were distributed across 10 tribal hamlets.
- Feeding: Food was provided to all beneficiaries.
A brief history of Holy Mother’s visit to Rajamahendravaram
Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi and her companions left Madras on 1 April 1911 for Puri by train after completing their pilgrimage in South India. On the next day (2 April 1911) they stopped at Rajamahendravaram (Rajahmundry) in Andhra Pradesh. Swami Ramakrishnananda had arranged their stay in the residence of Dewan Bahadur M.O. Parthasarathi Iyengar, the judge of the Godavari district. His home was on the bank of the Godavari River (at present, Municipal water treatment plant exists), so the Mother and her companions got easy access to bathe there. The party left Rajahmundry on 3 April 1911 and reached Puri on the next day via Khurda Road station.
The devotees of Andhra Pradesh erected a monument and installed a statue of Holy Mother on the ghat where she bathed. The Holy Mother mandapam was inaugurated on 13 August 1991 by Most Revered Srimat Swami Ranganathanandaji Maharaj, Vice-president, Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission.
