Hon. Chief Minister inaugurated Viveka Smaraka on 22 April 2012, where Swami Vivekananda stayed in Nov 1892

Swami Vivekananda’s Mysore Visit in Nov 1892

Swami Vivekananda visited Mysore in November 1892 during his wandering days and stayed there for some three weeks. The Dewan of Mysore State, Sir K. Sheshadri Iyer met Swamiji in Bangalore first and invited him to Mysore to meet the Raja of Mysore. As the Dewan was not in the city when Swamiji arrived in Mysore, Swamiji stayed for some days at the ‘Niranjana Mutt’ located near the then residence of the Dewan.

During his stay in Mysore, Swamiji gave talks at the nearby Sadvidya Pathasala—now a well-known composite junior college. Later, when the Dewan came back to Mysore, he requested Swamiji to stay in his official residence, which was just adjacent, and later he took Swamiji to the palace and introduced him to the then Raja, Sri Chamaraja Wadeyar.

Viveka Smaraka – a memorial at the place where Swami Vivekananda stayed:

In 2008, at the initiative of some eminent citizens of Mysore and the Government of Karnataka, a Trust, Swami Vivekananda Memorial Culture and Youth Centre, was formed. In the State Government budget for the year 2009-2010, the Chief Minister of Karnataka announced allocation of Rs 5 crores for the Centre in the premises of Niranjana Math. The Niranjana Math has been declared as a part of the heritage zone identified and protected by the Government of Karnataka.

Named as Viveka Smaraka, the heritage building of Niranjana Math was thoroughly repaired and renovated by the state government. On 22 April 2012, the renovated memorial was declared open by the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Sri Sadananda Gowda. Revered Swami Prabhananda ji, the General Secretary of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, and heads of centres of Ramakrishna Order in Karnataka, and nearly 100 monks from various parts of India were present on the occasion. Also, about 2000 devotees and admirers of Swami Vivekananda were present on the occasion.

The Chief Minister, Sri Sadananda Gowda, unveiled the stone plaque and went around the three rooms that form the Viveka Smaraka, where pictures of Swami Vivekananda, Swamiji’s ancestral house in Kolkata and his room in Belur Math, the Raja of Mysore, Sir Sheshadri Iyer and other important people have been placed on the walls. The whole place was decorated with flowers and festoons.

Later, all the monks and devotees went in a procession to the Mysore Palace ground, where a public meeting was held, presided over by the Chief Minister. The meeting was held right in front of the Mysore Palace, which, as is the practice on Sundays and special days, was lighted up in the evening. Several monks and dignitaries spoke on the occasion. A laser show on the cultural heritage of Karnataka and Swami Vivekananda’s Mysore visit was held. Some 10000 people attended the event.

Swami Vivekananda’s Mysore Visit in Nov 1892

Viveka Smaraka – a memorial at the place where Swami Vivekananda stayed:

Some photos from the occasion are shown below.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply