The Valedictory Session of the Yearlong Centenary Celebration (2025–2026) of the Vedanta Society of Portland, USA was held from 2 to 4 October 2026. The Centenary marked 100 years of the Society (1925–2025). The theme was “Preach unto mankind their divinity, and how to make it manifest in every movement of life.” More than 400 devotees and 16 monastics took part.
Day 1 — 2 October 2026
- A Centenary video on the history of the Society was screened.
- The monastics were led to the stage in a Purna Kumbha procession, and the lamp was lit.
- Yati Puja was offered by Swami Chandrashekharananda on behalf of the devotees. Vedic chanting followed.
- Swami Chandrashekharananda gave the welcome address and presented the Centenary Report.
- Session 1 — Discovering Our Divine Nature: talks by Swami Tyagananda and Swami Ishtananda, followed by questions and answers.
- Session 2 — Yogas and Manifesting Divinity: talks by Swami Prasannatmananda and Swami Prapannananda, followed by questions and answers.
- Swami Sarvapriyananda was the Session Host.
- The day concluded with Sri Ramakrishna Aratrikam and songs on the Divine Mother and the Holy Trio.
Day 2 — 3 October 2026
- A guided meditation was led by Swami Ishatmananda.
- Session 3 — Yogas and Manifesting Divinity: talks by Swami Tattwamayananda, Swami Satyamayananda and Swami Atmajnanananda.
- Session 4 — Vedanta in Life and Service: talks by Pravrajika Virajaprana, Swami Ishatmananda and Swami Sarvadevananda.
- Session 5 — Vedanta for Our Times: talks by Pravrajika Gitaprana and Pravrajika Vrajaprana.
- Each session ended with questions and answers. Swami Sarvapriyananda hosted Session 3, and Swami Tyagananda hosted Sessions 4 and 5.
- The evening concluded with the audio drama (Shruti Natak) The Fire Within, based on Swami Vivekananda’s call to awaken the soul.
Day 3 — 4 October 2026
- Session 6 — One Truth, Changing World: talks by Swami Yogatmananda and Swami Sarvapriyananda, followed by questions and answers. Swami Tyagananda was the Session Host.
- A vote of thanks was offered by Shri Sutirtha Bhattacharya and Swami Chandrashekharananda, followed by Shanti Mantras.
- A Bharatanatyam devotional dance by Sridharini Sridharan concluded the programme.
- A farewell and meet-the-monastics gathering was held after lunch prasada.
Devotional Music and Prasada
- Devotional songs and music were offered by Paul Goldowitz, Anirban Basu, Chhanda Roy, Toby Pollock, Sahana, the Sai Devotees and the Vedanta devotees.
- Prasada was served on all three days.
