Ramakrishna Mission Swami Vivekananda’s Ancestral House and Cultural Centre celebrated the 164th birthday of Swami Vivekananda and the 42nd National Youth Day on 12 January 2026 with solemnity, joy, and enthusiasm. The day began with Mangal Arati at dawn and concluded late in the evening with soul-moving devotional songs.
The ancestral house was tastefully decorated with colourful lights and floral arrangements for the occasion. A vibrant procession of monks, devotees, students, and local residents was flagged off by the Secretary from the foot of Swamiji’s statue following invocation and prayer. About 3,500 students from 30 schools participated enthusiastically, carrying colourful placards bearing Swamiji’s messages. Five tableaus depicting Thakur, Ma, and Swamiji accompanied the procession, which covered approximately 3.5 kilometres through central Kolkata and returned to the Ancestral House after about two hours.
A steady stream of devotees visited the newly renovated shrine at Swamiji’s birthplace from early morning until late evening. About 50,000 devotees paid their respects at the feet of Swamiji's statue and about 15,000 devotees visited Swamiji's Ancestral House and partook of prasad. Many waited patiently and joyfully in long queues to pay obeisance at the holy birthplace of Swamiji and the Vireshwar Shiva shrine.
Musical programmes were held at the Thakur Dalan throughout the day and evening, and a religious discourse on Swamiji’s life and message was delivered by Swami Vedaswarupananda Maharaj and Swami Dhyeyananda Maharaj in the evening. The courtyard in front of the Thakur Dalan remained packed to capacity for most of the day.
For devotees and admirers of Swami Vivekananda, the day was an opportunity to reflect on his life, renew their faith, and recommit themselves to his ideals.