On December 12, 2025, the town of Khetri celebrated the 14th Khetri Virasat Divas, commemorating Swami Vivekananda’s historic visit on this day in 1897. Swami Vivekananda, who had recently returned from the West, was warmly received at Panna Sah Talab by the then ruler of Khetri, Raja Ajit Singh Bahadur, and the local townspeople. His arrival was marked by a grand reception, featuring festive feasts and the illumination of the entire town.
In honor of this historic occasion, a committee of prominent citizens—responding to a call from the Ramakrishna Mission, Khetri—initiated the annual celebration of Khetri Virasat Divas in 2011. For the past four years, the event has been jointly organized with the Khetri Municipality.
The 2025 celebrations began with a morning procession (Prabhat Pheri), in which approximately 2,500 school children marched through the streets to raise awareness about the significance of the day. In the afternoon, a live tableau reenacted the historic moment of Raja Ajit Singh escorting Swami Vivekananda in a horse-drawn carriage. The procession moved from the Vivekananda Smriti Mandir to Panna Sah Talab, which was beautifully illuminated and accompanied by a vibrant fireworks display.
The evening festivities featured captivating performances of Rajasthani folk songs and dances by troupes from the Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Academy. The event was attended by nearly 1,000 local residents and numerous distinguished guests. To conclude the program, 200 blankets were distributed to the needy.
