The 163rd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda was observed at Belur Math, the international headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, in Howrah district, near Kolkata. The day-long event included traditional rituals and cultural practices, focusing on Swamiji’s message of serving God through serving humanity.
The celebrations commenced early with the morning prayer of Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swamiji’s spiritual mentor. Thousands of followers of Swamiji, Shri Ramakrishna, and Maa Sarada gathered at Belur Math, embodying Swamiji’s vision of influencing the world positively through spiritual enlightenment.
Special rituals were conducted throughout the day, emphasizing both spiritual and intellectual contemplation. As Swami Vivekananda’s birthday is also observed as National Youth Day, various organizations arranged processions that ended at Belur Math, with educational institutions participating in morning marches to the monastery.
The observance at Belur Math remained apolitical, aligning with the institution’s spiritual principles. Simultaneously, Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary was commemorated at his ancestral house in north Kolkata, where political figures from different parties paid their respects.
