Mananeeya Dr. M. Lakshmi Kumari Didi Conferred with Dharma Ratna Puraskar - Kerala

Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari is pleased to inform you that Mananeeya Dr. M. Lakshmi Kumari Didi, the former All India President of Vivekananda Rock Memorial & Vivekananda Kendra, has been conferred with Dharma Ratna Puraskar – 2025, presented by Samskriti, Nanmanda, Kerala, an organization dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of dharmic values through living practice. She is currently the Director & Chairperson of the Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision Foundation at Kodungallur.

The Dharma Ratna Puraskar is instituted to honour individuals who exemplify the eternal principles of Sanātana Dharma and commit themselves to the cultural and spiritual upliftment of society through their work and conduct.

This year, the award is being presented to Mananeeya Dr. Lakshmi Kumari in recognition of her distinguished and selfless service to society through education and cultural upliftment, and for her lifelong commitment to the eternal values of Sanātana Dharma. Through her exemplary conduct and tireless efforts, she has embodied the principles of dharma, seva, karuṇā, and saṃskāra. Her remarkable contributions reflect a rare harmony of knowledge and practice, where tradition is not merely preserved, but lived, renewed, and transmitted for the present age. As a living torch bearer of Sanātana Dharma values, her service continues to inspire individuals and institutions alike. Vivekananda Kendra Karyakartas are proud and delighted for this recognition of her dedicated work in strengthening society and guiding future generations. 

10-Day Yoga Satra at Hebbal

Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, Karnataka Prant, Mysore Nagarsthan organizing a 10-day Yoga Satra, which was inaugurated on 5 January 2026 at the Vivekananda Youth Movement Campus, Hebbal, and is scheduled to conclude on 15 January 2026. A total of 78 participants are attending the Satra.

The Yoga Satra was designed to introduce participants to the holistic concept of yoga and its practical relevance in daily life. Each session began with a prayer, setting a disciplined and serene atmosphere for learning and practice.

The programme included theoretical sessions explaining the meaning of yoga and its benefits for physical, mental, and emotional well-being, along with practical sessions comprising loosening exercises, asanas, guided breathing practices and Pranayama. Interactive games were also incorporated to encourage participation.

The Yoga Satra is being conducted systematically, with active participation from the attendees, and is contributing positively towards promoting a healthy and disciplined lifestyle rooted in yogic values.

 

The Bhoomi Puja Ceremony of VKV Bongaigaon

The Bhoomi Puja Ceremony of Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya Bongaigaon (Under VKSPV, Assam Prant) was conducted with sacred rituals on Tuesday, 6th January 2026. Around 115 people attended the ceremony.

The Bhoomi Pujan was performed by the Pandit Ji, while the Sankalpa was taken by Shri. Tarak Nath Dey, In-charge of VKV Bongaigaon. The cultural programme began with Mangalacharan followed by lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the guests. The Chief Guest, Smt. Chandra Devi (ACS), graced the occasion and delivered an inspiring speech.

Dignitaries present included Shri. Pankaj Kumar Ray, Executive Engineer (PWD), Bongaigaon Territorial Building Division, along with officials from PWD Bongaigaon, Shri. Prakash Ranjan, RAO VKSPV Guwahati, and Shri. Tilak Narayan Deb, former President of Bongaigaon Panchayat, among others.

The welcome address was delivered by Shri Tarak Nath Dey, after which the guests were felicitated with respect. This was followed by Kendra Parichay presented by Su. Meera Kulkarni Didi, Joint Secretary, VKSPV Guwahati. A welcome song was presented by the teachers and students of VKV Kajalgaon, followed by Gita chanting by the students.

The programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Shri. Anup Sonar, Headmaster of VKV Kajalgaon, followed by the Shanti Mantra. Finally, Khidri prasad was distributed among the villagers with the support of the local community.

Samartha Bharatha Parva – Darshanam Walkathon

Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, Karnataka Prant, R.T. Nagar Nagarsthan organized DARSHANAM – a Walkathon covering 11 temples in R.T. Nagar as part of Samartha Bharatha Parva celebrations on 4 January 2026 (Sunday). The spiritually enriching programme witnessed the participation of 57 devotees, including children, karyakartas, and guests.

The programme commenced with a prayer, followed by a briefing on the significance of Darshanam by Nagar Pramukh Shri Bharath Ji and Prant Vyavastha Pramukh Shri Pradeep Ji, highlighting the spiritual and cultural importance of temple visit as a collective sadhana. Participants were then organized into ganas (teams), and the walkathon was systematically led by the karyakartas.

Smt. Thara Didi (Sahitya Seva Pramukh) and Shri Bijoy Krishna Anna (Hebbal Nagar Yuva Pramukh) were present throughout the walkathon, guiding and encouraging the participants. Two guests, Smt. Sougandhi Didi and her daughter Ms. Aditi Akka from Yelahanka, also joined the programme and actively participated in the Darshanam.

The walkathon was conducted with great enthusiasm and devotion. At each of the 11 temples, participants sang bhajans of the respective deities, creating a deeply devotional atmosphere and immersing everyone in the spirit of Bhakti. Despite covering a distance of nearly 10 kilometers, the children remained energetic and expressed eagerness to continue visiting more temples. The guests conveyed their appreciation for the initiative and expressed interest in participating in future Kendra activities.

The temples visited during the Darshanam included Ganesha Temple (P & T Quarters), Thanga Malai Subramanya Hill Temple, Hanuman Temple, Shiva Temple (Kavalbyrasandra), Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt (L.R. Bande), Narasimha Temple (Manorayanapalya), Neelakanteshwara Temple (Chamundinagar), Muneshwara Temple, Kodanda Rama Temple, Chowdeshwari Temple (Dinnur), and Doddamma Temple (Manorayanapalya).

Overall, the Darshanam Walkathon proved to be a deeply devotional, physically invigorating, and spiritually uplifting experience, strengthening the participants’ connection with Bharatiya spiritual traditions and collective sadhana.

Kalpataru Diwas Celebration at RT Nagar

Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, Karnataka Prant, RT Nagar Nagarsthan observed Kalpataru Diwas on 1st January 2026 at Samhita School of Performing Arts, with the participation of 44 attendees.

Kalpataru Diwas is observed on 1 January to commemorate the sacred occasion in 1886 when Takur Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, at the Cossipore Garden House (Udyanbati), bestowed his special blessings upon devotees—an event remembered as his divine self-revelation and an outpouring of grace.

The programme commenced with a prayer and the chanting of Guru Stavan, creating a devotional atmosphere. Smt. Thara Didi then spoke on the spiritual significance of Kalpataru Diwas and narrated inspiring incidents from the life of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, helping the children understand the deeper meaning of the observance.

Following the address, all the children reverently sought blessings and performed Aarati, marking the occasion with devotion and gratitude. The programme concluded in a serene and spiritually uplifting manner, leaving a lasting impression on the participants.