International Day of Yoga Observed at NMS Sermathai Vasan College For Women

Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu Prant, Madurai Nagar, Ramar Vistar (TVS Nagar) organised International Day of Yoga programme at N.M.S Sermathai Vasan College for Women, Madurai on June 24, 2026. The programme witnessed the enthusiastic participation of 200 students and faculty members.

The programme commenced with a welcome address by the college authorities, followed by the invocation prayer led by Shri Kamatchi Kannan, Karyalaya Pramukh, Madurai Nagar. Shri Prabhakaran ji, Nagar Pramukh, introduced Vivekananda Kendra and its service activities, while Shri Senthil Anna, Karyakarta spoke on the significance and objectives of celebrating the International Day of Yoga, highlighting the importance of adopting yoga as a way of life.

An interactive session and a short recreational activity conducted by Shri Suresh, Varga Shikshak helped create an engaging atmosphere before the yoga practice.

The Common Yoga Protocol was conducted by Smt. Lakshmi Narayani, Yoga Pramukh which included loosening exercises, Yogasanas, pranayama, relaxation, and dhyana. She also delivered the concluding remarks, encouraging the participants to practise yoga regularly for physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

The programme concluded with the chanting of the Shanti Mantra by Shri Kamatchi Kannan, followed by the vote of thanks delivered by the college authorities.

The event was successfully organised through the collective efforts of the Nagar Samiti members with the wholehearted support of the college management. The programme served as an effective platform to spread awareness about the holistic benefits of yoga among the youth and inspired the participants to incorporate yoga into their daily routine.

International Day of Yoga 2026 at Sri Vidyalayam School in Madurai

As part of the International Day of Yoga 2026 celebrations, Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu Prant, Madurai Branch, Ramar Vistar (TVS Nagar) organized a yoga programme at Sri Vidyalayam Matriculation Higher Secondary School on 18 June 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

The programme commenced with the assembly of students, followed by the prayer led by Shri Kamatchi Kannan, Karyalaya Pramukh. Shri Rajasekaran ji, Sahitya Seva Pramukh introduced Vivekananda Kendra and its service activities, after which Shri Prabhakaran Anna, Karyakarta addressed the gathering on the significance of International Day of Yoga and highlighted this year’s theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” emphasizing the importance of adopting yoga as a lifelong practice for physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

An engaging yoga-based game conducted by Shri Balasurya energized the students before the practical session. The yoga practice was conducted according to the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) prescribed by the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India. Students enthusiastically participated in the session, performing the various yogasanas and pranayama practices with discipline and interest.

The programme concluded with the chanting of the Shanti Mantra, led by Shri Kamatchi Kannan, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by the school authorities.

A total of 180 students and staff participated in the programme, making the celebration a meaningful step towards spreading awareness about the importance of yoga and inspiring young minds to embrace a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

Universal Brotherhood Day Celebration at Balaji Nagar in Madurai

Vivekananda Kendra, Tamil Nadu Prant, Madurai Branch, Murugan Vistar (Balaji Nagar) observed Universal Brotherhood Day at the Kendra Karyalaya in Balaji Nagar, with devotion and collective enthusiasm on Saturday 13 September 2025. The celebration brought together Karyakarthas, sisters, and brothers to recall the historic ideals of Swami Vivekananda, reaffirming his timeless message of unity and brotherhood.

The programme began with Prarthana. Following this, the participants were warmly welcomed, and an introduction of the speaker for the day was given, setting the stage for the main session.

The highlight of the programme was the special address delivered by Shri. R. Sethuraman Ji, Pracharak, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). In his speech, Shri. Sethuraman ji elaborated on the significance of Universal Brotherhood Day, drawing direct references from Swami Vivekananda’s famous Chicago Address of 1893. He explained how Swamiji’s message transcended barriers of nationality, religion, and culture, emphasizing the idea that the whole world is one family (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam).

Shri. Sethuraman also stressed the importance of living by these values in modern times, particularly for the younger generation. He noted that brotherhood is not a mere ideal but a responsibility, urging all participants to practice these teachings in their daily lives through mutual respect, service, and unity in the community.

The programme witnessed active participation from 57 members in total, which included 35 sisters and 22 brothers. The participants keenly listened to the talk, reflecting on Swamiji’s vision and engaging with the relevance of his teachings for contemporary society.

The session concluded with the chanting of Shanti Mantra, instilling a sense of peace and collective harmony among the gathering. To mark the end of the programme, Prasad was distributed among all the attendees, symbolizing the spirit of shared bonding.

Universal Brotherhood Day Celebrated at Amrita Vidyalayam school in Madurai

Vivekananda Kendra, Tamil Nadu Prant, Madurai Branch, Murugan Vistar (Balaji Nagar) observed Universal Brotherhood Day at Amrita Vidyalayam School with devotion and enthusiasm on 11th September 2025, commemorating Swami Vivekananda’s historic address at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago in 1893.

The programme commenced at 11:00 AM with a serene starting prayer led by Ms. Sandhya, Yuva Karyakarta, creating a spiritual atmosphere. A warm welcome address followed, setting the tone for the day’s proceedings and underlining the value of the celebration.

Smt. Jansirani, Kendra Karyakarta introduced the purpose of the day, explaining the aim of commemorating Universal Brotherhood Day and the relevance of Swami Vivekananda’s vision in present society. To engage the young audience, Kum. Sandhya conducted interactive games that made the session lively and participatory.

One of the highlights of the celebration was the reading of Swami Vivekananda’s iconic Chicago speech, performed by Smt. Jansirani. Her rendition reminded all present of Swamiji’s immortal words that continue to inspire generations across the globe.

Following this, she also conducted a special 30-minute session, explaining the essence of Swamiji’s teachings in simple terms to encourage students to imbibe the values of unity, brotherhood, service, and dedication.

The programme further included an introduction of the Karyakarthas, familiarizing the students with the mission and activities of Vivekananda Kendra. Smt. Sharmila Devi, Kendra Karyakarta delivered the concluding remarks, summing up the essence of the day’s events.

The session ended with a vote of thanks, appreciating the support of school authorities, students, and volunteers, followed by the chanting of the Shanthi Mantra led by Kum. Sandhya, leaving an atmosphere of peace and unity among all participants. 65 participated in the celebration including 59 students, 3 staffs and 3 Karyakartas. 

The Universal Brotherhood Day celebration at Amrita Vidyalayam served as a meaningful tribute to Swami Vivekananda’s vision, inspiring young minds to strive for harmony and service to society. The event left a deep impact on the students, reminding them of the enduring relevance of Swamiji’s ideals. 

Universal Brotherhood Day Celebrated at Swami Vivekananda Vidyamandir in Madurai

Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu Prant, Madurai Branch, Murugan Vistar (Balaji Nagar) organized a Universal Brotherhood Day celebration at Swami Vivekananda Vidyamandir School on 11th September 2025, with enthusiastic participation from students, staff, and Kendra Karyakarthas. The programme was a heartfelt tribute to Swami Vivekananda’s historic address at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893, which continues to resonate across generations.

The session began with prayer. A warm welcome address outlined the purpose of the gathering and emphasized the relevance of Universal Brotherhood Day in nurturing unity and harmony.

A total of 62 students, 3 staff members, and 5 Vivekananda Karyakarthas – making 70 participants – took part in the programme. The main highlight was the interactive session by Smt. Jhansi Akka, Kendra Karyakarta, who engaged the students in a lively dialogue on Universal Brotherhood and the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda. She explained the message of oneness and service in simple terms, motivating the students to practice these values in their daily lives.

The students participated with enthusiasm, sharing their thoughts and answering questions during the session. The Karyakarthas also familiarized the students with the activities of Vivekananda Kendra and the importance of service as the living spirit of Swamiji’s vision.

The session left a lasting impression, inspiring the young participants to imbibe the values of brotherhood, compassion, and selfless service imparted by Swami Vivekananda.

Universal Brotherhood Day Observed at TVS Higher Secondary School in Madurai

Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu Prant, Madurai Branch, Ramar Vistar (TVS Nagar) organised a Universal Brotherhood Day programme at TVS Higher Secondary School, Madurai, with enthusiastic participation from students and faculty members on 11th September 2025. The event commemorated Swami Vivekananda’s historic Chicago Address of 1893, which highlighted the ideals of harmony and global unity.

The gathering was addressed by Shri. Prabhakaran ji, Kendra Karyakartha, who delivered an inspiring talk on the life and message of Swami Vivekananda. He explained the significance of Universal Brotherhood as envisioned by Swamiji and emphasized its relevance in today’s world. By recalling Swamiji’s Chicago speech, he led the students to reflect on how values of unity, tolerance, and mutual respect can transform society.

120 participants, including students and teachers participated in the celebration. The students listened with rapt attention, actively engaging with the ideas shared, and expressed their interest in practicing brotherhood in their daily lives. The event stood out as a meaningful celebration, reminding all present that brotherhood remains the cornerstone of human unity.

Guru Purnima Celebration at TVS Nagar, Madurai

Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu Prant, Madurai Branch, Ramar Vistar, celebrated Gurupurnima with reverence and enthusiasm at the Kendra Karyalaya in TVS Nagar on Sunday, 13th July 2025. The programme commenced at 5:30 PM, drawing the presence of 33 participants including Karyakartas, donors, patrons, subscribers, and regular attendees of Yoga Varga and Samskar Varga.

The evening began with a soulful 20-minute bhajan session led by Kendra Karyakarthas Shri Suresh Anna and Shri Dhyanesh Anna. The melodious devotion set a serene tone for the proceedings. This was followed by a warm welcome address by Shri Anand Anna, who elaborated on the significance and spiritual depth of Gurupurnima and its relevance in the mission of Vivekananda Kendra.

Adding to the spiritual ambience, students of Anandalaya presented an evocative skit depicting Swami Vivekananda’s profound devotion to his Guru, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Their performance was a touching tribute that highlighted the essence of Guru Bhakti in action.

The highlight of the evening was the special address delivered by Shri Dr.C.S. Senthil Kumar, Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Thiruparankundram. Introduced by Shri Suresh Anna, Shri Senthil Kumar based his address on the letter shared by Mananeeya Kum. Nivedita Didi, All-India Vice President of Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Vivekananda Kendra, prepared specially for Guru Purnima 2025.

In an engaging and interactive session, Shri Senthil Kumar delved into the profound idea of Omkara as the Guru of Vivekananda Kendra. He spoke about the non-sectarian, all-encompassing spiritual vision of Swami Vivekananda, particularly his concept of a Universal Temple—a place with no specific deity but united by the symbol “ॐ” (Om), representing the ultimate spiritual principle beyond all divisions.

He further elaborated on Mananeeya Eknathji Ranade’s vision of Vivekananda Kendra as the confluence of multifarious spiritual forces from across India, all working together for the rejuvenation and upliftment of the nation. It was in this spirit that ॐ was chosen as the Guru of the Kendra—timeless, universal, and inclusive.

The program concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Shri Saravanakumar Anna. All participants then performed Pushparpanam (floral offering) to Omkar, symbolising their reverence to the eternal guru. The celebration concluded with the chanting of the Shanti Mantra.

International Day of Yoga Celebrations at Swami Vivekananda Vidya Mandir in Madurai

In alignment with the global observance of the 11th International Day of Yoga, Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu Prant, Madurai Branch organised an International Day of Yoga celebration on 21st June 2025 at Swami Vivekananda Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School (CBSE), Harveypatti, Madurai. The event witnessed the enthusiastic participation of 95 students, who engaged wholeheartedly in the practice and message of yoga.

The program began with a soulful invocation. The yoga session was led by Shri B.Ashok Anna, Nagar Sah Pramukh, VK Madurai, who guided the students through the Common Yoga Protocol as prescribed by the Ministry of AYUSH. The session included warm-up and loosening practices, followed by asanas and Pranayama helped participants connect with their inner calm, ending with a deep relaxation and Sankalpa.

After the practice session, Ashok Anna addressed the students and staff on this year’s IDY theme – “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.” He emphasized that yoga is not just a physical practice but a transformative path that connects the individual to nature and to the collective spirit of humanity.

He drew on Swami Vivekananda’s vision of holistic development, highlighting how yoga empowers individuals to grow spiritually, stay mentally balanced, and act responsibly towards society and the planet.

The program concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the school management, the yoga instructor, and the participants for their cooperation and involvement.

The school management played a vital role in making the event a success, extending full support and making all the necessary arrangements — from venue setup to student coordination — ensuring a smooth and impactful celebration.

International Day of Yoga 2025 Celebrated at Kendra karyalayas in Madurai

In connection with the 11th International Day of Yoga, Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu Prant, Madurai Branch, organized yoga sessions at its three Karyalayas, with enthusiastic participation from Karyakartas across the city. The sessions were based on the Common Yoga Protocol prescribed by the Ministry of AYUSH, and were held in the spirit of the IDY 2025 theme: “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.” 

1. TVS Nagar Karyalaya

At the TVS Nagar Karyalaya, 14 Karyakartas gathered on 21st June 2025 at 6:00 a.m. and practiced the Common Yoga Protocol with dedication and concentration. The session was organized by Shri Ashok Anna, Sah Nagar Pramukh, who ensured the smooth conduct of the event and motivated all participants to continue regular yoga practice.

 2. Balaji Nagar Karyalaya

At the Balaji Nagar Karyalaya, 8 Karyakartas came together on 21st June 2025 to observe International Day of Yoga. The program was organized by Shri Subbiah Anna, Sanyojak, Balaji Nagar, who also addressed the participants on the importance of Yoga Day, highlighting how yoga contributes to physical fitness, mental clarity, and emotional balance in daily life.

 3. Chokkikulam Karyalaya

At the Chokkikulam Karyalaya, 4 Karyakartas observed the International Day of Yoga on 21st June 2025, by performing the Common Yoga Protocol. The session was led by Kum. Sumitra Didi, Tamil Nadu Prant Pravasi Karyakarta, who also shared insights on this year’s Yoga Day theme – “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.” She emphasized how yoga harmonizes the individual with nature and contributes to the well-being of the environment and society at large.

The participation of Karyakartas in different Karyalayas reflected the true spirit of ekatmata (oneness) and the ideal of Yoga as a way of life.

Personality Development Camp for Children in Madurai

Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu Prant, Madurai Branch, Ramar Vistar (TVS Nagar) conducted a 10-day Personality Development Camp for children, from 9th May to 18th May 2025, between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM each day. The camp was attended by 54 children, guided and supported by a dedicated team of 10 Karyakartas.

Each year, the camp is centered around a theme, and this year’s focus was on “Understanding.” All the activities were thoughtfully designed to align with this central idea.

The camp featured a wide variety of enriching activities, including:

Surya Namaskar and Yogasanas for building physical strength and discipline.

Games to improve concentration, mental focus, and foster team spirit and unity.

Handicrafts to encourage creativity and fine motor skills.

Inspiring patriotic songs to instill a love for the nation.

Stories about national leaders, told in a way children could easily understand and connect with.

To encourage teamwork and facilitate group activities, the children were organized into four Ganas: Curiosity (Aarvam), Joy (Anandham), Encouragement (Ookam), and Progress (Munnetram).

Highlights and Learnings

Storytelling Sessions: Elders shared inspiring stories. A story explaining the value of Sraddha (attention) taught the children that whatever task we undertake should be done with curiosity, joy, and wholehearted attention.

Games: Over the 10 days, around 15 different games were played, each imparting values such as teamwork, effort, focus, adaptability, and learning to accept both success and failure gracefully.

Creative Arts: In drama, crafts, and various activities, children used their imagination to create and present their own stories, fostering both creativity and confidence.

Cooking Session: Children experienced the effort behind meal preparation and gained a newfound appreciation for the hard work their mothers do daily.

Discipline through Agnyas: A unique session helped them learn discipline in a simple and interactive way through Agnyabhyas.

Singing and Music: Children explored musical expression, voice modulation, and group singing, learning to coordinate and express with clarity and respect.

Social Skills: Through shared experiences, the children learned how to interact respectfully, maintain self-discipline, and live harmoniously in a group setting.

The camp successfully created a nurturing environment where children could explore, express, and evolve. Through engaging activities and meaningful interactions, they not only had fun but also imbibed important life values and deeper understanding—the core aim of this year’s theme.

Atma Bodham Shibir at Madurai

Vivekananda Kendra Madurai organised Atma Bodham Shibir for Kendra Karyakathas at Mata Amritanandamayi Math, Pasumalai from 5 p.m. on 18.03.2023 to 3 p.m. on 19.03.2023. Totally 28 Kendra Karyakarthas participated in the shibir.

The purpose of the camp is to nurture and strengthen the Karyakathas for national work. Dakshin Prant Sangathak Mananeeya Radha Didi guided the shibir and gave lectures on the topics of Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads.

All the karyakarthas felt spiritually rejuvenated by the camp and took sankalpa to contribute for the national work more efficiently. The shibir was concluded with Kendra Prarthana.

Value Camp for Children at Madurai

Vivekananda Kendra Madurai conducted Value camp for the class V students of T.V.S. Primary School Madurai on 24th February 2023 in two batches. Totally 250 students participated in the camp.

The schedule of the camp included patriotic songs, yoga practice, Aagnyas abhyas, video session, value games, story of Swami Vivekananda etc. 

All the students enjoyed and learned many values from this camp and the school administration appreciated Kendra’s effort in moulding the children’s future.

Yoga Satra Concluding and Gita Jayanti Programme – Madurai

A Yoga Satra was conducted from 21.11.2022 to 30.11.2022 (10 days) at Sri Varatha Raja Perumal Temple, S.R.V. Nagar. Totally 9 participants comprising 8 sisters and 1 brother participated in the yoga satra. 

The concluding program of the yoga satra and the Gita Jayanti celebrations were held together on Dec 1, 2022, from 6.15 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. in which 45 people participated.

The program started with prayer followed by the welcome address, a presentation of the yoga satra report, and experience sharing by satra participants. Vyavastha Pramukh, VK Madurai Sri. Palaniappan Ji gave a brief speech on the topic ‘Yoga, a way of life’ in which he explained the real meaning of yoga and the importance of character-building in yoga sadhana. After that, all yoga varga participants did pushpanjali to Omkar and took Sankalpa to continue their yoga practice regularly. Subsequently, Gita Jayanti was also celebrated. President of Sri Ramakrishna Sevashramam, Thiruparankundram Sri. Natarajan Ji gave a brief talk on the importance of Gita Jayanti in which he cited some important slokas from the Bhagavad Gita and explained their meaning. All the program participants did pushpanjali to Omkar and Sri Krishna and all took Sankalpa to read Bhagavad Gita and practice its message in daily life. The program was concluded with the Shanti mantra and Kendra Prarthana. 

Mahasamadhi Day of Swami Vivekananda at Madurai

 Vivekananda Kendra Madurai commemorated Mahasamadhi day of Swami Vivekananda on 4th July 2021 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. through Google Meet. Total 35 karyakarthas participated in the program.

The program started with 3 Omkar and Shantipath. Sri. T. V. Prabhakaran ji,  Sah Nagar Pramukh gave the welcome address and introduction of the program followed by 'Bhuvana Mandale' song. Mananeeya Sri. Hanumantha Rao ji, All-India Vice President, VRM & VK gave a lecture in which he briefly elucidated the life and message of Swami Vivekananda. Sri. Subbiah Ji, Murugan Vistar Sanyojak delivered the Happy Address and the program concluded with Shanti Mantra.

Karyakartha Prashikshan Shibhir at Madurai

 Vivekananda Kendra Madurai organised a one day non-residential Karyakartha Prashikshan Shibir on 11th July 2021 from 10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. in which 22 karyakarthas participated.

The camp started with prayer at 10.30 a.m. which was followed by a brief experience sharing session and Sri. Saravanakumar ji, Shibir Pramukh elucidated the aim of the camp. Mananeeya Radha Devi didi, Dakshin Prant Sangathak gave the first session on 'Discipline in Personal and Organisational Life' in which she stressed upon the importance of observing discipline in every aspect of life.  After the session, two teams were formed and Manthan was done on “Watering the Roots” and the discussed points were summed up by Sri. Kameswaran ji, Baudik Pramukh.

In afternoon a short drama on ‘Karyapaddhati’ lead by Karyapaddhati Pramukh - Sri. Natarajan ji, songs practice, game and Kendra prarthana abhyas were there. Su. Sumitra didi, Nagar Sangathak conducted the abhyas satra for which four groups were formed and situation based questions were given for discussion and presentation. Mananeeya Sri. Hanumanth Rao ji, All-India Vice President, VRM & VK gave ashirvachan in Ahuti Satra in which he explained the real meaning of Ahuti which is surrendering one’s whole life for national work. All the participants did pushpanjali to Omkar and took sankalpa to contribute their time and energy to national work more effectively. The camp concluded with Kendra Prarthana.

Colombo to Almora - Swadhyaya Presentations at Madurai

 Vivekananda Kendra Madurai organised ‘Colombo to Almora’ an event of Swadhyaya Presentations by Dayitwan Karyakarthas of VK Madurai. Through Google Meet, the event took place for three consecutive days 3, 4 & 5 June 2021 from 4.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Totally 8 Karyakarthas gave the presentations and about 20 Karyakarthas and elders observed the presentations for three days.

The objective of the event is to enrich the Karyakarthas’ clarity of thoughts by reading Swami Vivekananda’s ideas and to present them to the public in an effective way. Five most important lectures from Swami Vivekananda’s ‘Colombo to Almora’ were taken as topics. Sri. Subbiah Ji presented on ‘My Plan of Campaign’, Smt. Geetha on ‘The Sages of India’, Sri. S. Prabhakar Ji on ‘The Work before Us’, Sri. Rajasekaran Ji on ‘The Common bases of Hinduism’ and Sri. Palaniappan Ji, Sri. T. V. Prabhakaran Ji, Smt. Indira & Su. Sumitra didi presented on ‘The Future of India’. The three day presentations by the Karyakarthas proved to be a very energizing, motivating and experiential sessions. Each participant exhibited the grasp of the chosen topic.

Mananeeya Radha didi, Dakshin Prant Sangathak graced the occasion with her valuable presence and gave Ashirvachan and encouraged Karyakarthas for all the three days. On the third day (05/06/21), the presence of two senior Karyakarthas of Kendra Sri. Umayorubaghan Ji and Sri. Velu Swamy Ji made the session extra special. Karyakarthas had a wonderful interaction with them and got their blessings also.

Concluding program:

As a befitting conclusion for the three day event, a program was arranged on 6/6/21 from 4.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. through Google Meet and about 85 Karyakarthas from all-over India participated.

The program began with prayer which was followed by a patriotic song. Sri. Palaniappan Ji, Vyavastha Pramukh, VK Madurai read the report of the three-day event and Sri. Prabhakaran Ji, Sah Nagar Pramukh, VK Madurai gave a brief introduction of the speaker.

Mananeeya, Nivedita Bhide didi, All-India Vice President, VRM & VK gave her special address (Click here for video) in which she encapsulated the selected five lectures from Swami Vivekananda’s ‘Colombo to Almora’ and presented them in a simple yet profound manner. From didi’s speech, the participants could grasp the fine essence of these talks given by Swamiji.

After the special address, Mananeeya Radha didi, Dakshin Prant Sangathak gave the happy address in which she motivated the Karyakarthas to continue such swadhyayas and presentations. The program concluded with Shanti Mantra.

Online Pranayama Satra - Tamil Nadu Vibhag

 Vivekananda Kendra Madurai conducted Online Pranayama Satra from 25/05/21 to 30/05/21 through Google Meet.

The timings of the Morning (brothers) batch & Evening (sisters) batch were 6.30 a.m. to 7.15 a.m. and 6.15 p.m. to 7 p.m. respectively. Totally 15 brothers and 13 sisters participated.

On the concluding day of the Satra, all the participants shared their experience in which they said that they could feel the positive outcomes of pranayama both physically and mentally and they are willing to take part in regular activities of Kendra. On that day in evening batch, Sri. Saravanankumar Ji, Yuva Karyakartha shared some of his experiences with pranayama abhyas. He said that the ultimate purpose of the pranayama is our spiritual growth and spoke on various service activities of Vivekananda Kendra at Madurai. All took sankalpa to continue the pranayama practices throughout their life. The program concluded with Sarve bavantu.

We Learn Vivekananda - Swadhyaya Presentations at Madurai

 Vivekananda Kendra Madurai organised ‘We Learn Vivekananda’ an event of Swadhyaya Presentations by VK Madurai Karyakarthas. Through Google Meet, the event took place for three consecutive days 21, 22 & 23 May 2021 from 4 p.m. to 5.15 p.m. Totally 17 Karyakarthas gave the presentations and about 20 karyakarthas and elders observed the presentations for three days.

The objective of the event is to learn and imbibe the qualities of Swami Vivekananda and to train the Karyakarthas to take Swamiji’s values and message to people in an inspiring way. Each Karyakartha selected and presented one of the chapters from the book ‘Narguna Nayagar Vivekanandar’ written by Sri. N. Krishnamoorthy Annaji.

The three day PPT presentations by the Karyakarthas proved to be a very energizing, motivating and experiential sessions. Each participant exhibited the grasp of the given topic. A few members made pictorial presentations and supplemented with their ideas. Even young children like Priyadarshini and Boominathan made their maiden attempt in PPT presentation. Smt. Meenakshi and her two children participated in this event and they are regularly participating in Kendra activities serving as role models for Amrit parivar in Madurai.

Mananeeya Radha Didi, Dakshin Prant Sangathak graced the occasion with her valuable presence and gave Ashirvachan and encouraged Karyakarthas for all the three days. Smt. S. Geetha, Sampark Pramukh, Tamil Nadu Vibhag also gave Asirvachan on the third day and summed up all the presentations of that day.
Experience Sharing Session:

As a befitting conclusion for the three day event, an experience sharing session was arranged on 24-5-21 from 4.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Each member shared his or her experience, what they learnt and how they are going to apply that learning in life. Everyone has begun to imbibe the qualities that they chose to speak on. Karyakarthas gave some recommendations on next theme also. With all these suggestions in hand, surely another similar presentation event will be organised soon.

“Be and Make” - Swami Vivekananda

Sri Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti at Madurai

 On the auspicious occasion of Jagatguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya Jayanthi, Vivekananda Kendra Madurai organised an online lecture program on 17/5/21 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. About 67 people joined this event through Google Meet.

The program started with three omkars and Shantipat. Madurai Chinmaya sisters sang Totakashtakam and an enchanting Guru bhajan. After that Smt. S. Geetha, Sampark Pramukh, TN Vibhag conveyed the aim of the program briefly and Sri. Prabhakaran ji, Sah Nagar Pramukh, VK Madurai gave a short introduction of the speaker.

Mananeeya Sri. Hanumantha Rao ji, All-India Vice President, VRM & VK delivered his lecture on the topic ‘Adi Shankaracharya – bestower of Spiritual Awakening’ in which he said that Jagatguru Adi Shankaracharya was an incarnation of Lord Shankara himself and he was an embodiment of Shruti, Smriti & Purana. He also elucidated the core teachings of Adi Shankaracharya that we are Akhanda Ananta Saswata shakti and realising this is spirituality. He added that spirituality is not just concepts or philosophy; it has to be put into practice. Also, he quoted some shlokas of Sri Adi Shankaracharya and explained his contributions towards national integration as well as spiritual awakening of the world. The program was concluded with happy address and Shanti mantra.

Shri Ram Navami at Madurai

On the occasion of Shri Rama Navami (21/04/21), Vivekananda Kendra Madurai organised bhajan sandhyas at T.V.S. Nagar (Ram Vistar) and Balaji Nagar (Murugan Vistar) Karyalayas. Totally 26 karyakarthas were present.

At T.V.S. Nagar, bhajan sandhya was conducted from 6.30 p.m. to 7.15 p.m. in which 13 karyakarthas (11 Anandalaya children and 2 Acharyas) were present. After bhajan sandhya, all went to nearby Ramar temple and had a dharshan of Shri Godhanda Ramar. Children enjoyed both the bhajan and the darshan and elated with the spiritual experience.

At Balaji Nagar, bhajan sandhya was conducted from 6.30 p.m. to 7 p.m. In which 13 Karyakarthas (10 Anandalaya children, 2 elders and an Acharya) were present. All the children experienced the joy of chanting Shri Rama’s name and felt the grace of Shri Rama.

“…Shri Ramachandra must be worshipped in every home. Therein lies your welfare, therein lies the good of the country—there is no other way.” – Swami Vivekananda