Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre (Viveka Smaraka) in Mysuru on August 1 at 3.30 p.m., marking an important milestone in commemorating Swami Vivekananda’s historical association with the city of Mysuru.

Swami Gautamananda Maharaj, president, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, will attend while Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar will be the guest of honour.

The memorial has been built at the site of Niranjana Math (Old Anathalaya) on N.S. Road, where Swami Vivekananda stayed during his visit to Mysuru as a wandering monk in November 1892. He was invited by the then Dewan of Mysore, Sir K. Sheshadri Iyer, who met him in Bengaluru. According to Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mysuru, Swami Vivekananda later became a “state guest” of Maharaja Sri Chamarajendra Wadiyar X, who also provided financial assistance for his journey to the U.S. to participate in the Parliament of Religions in Chicago.

The details of the PM’s visit, memorial project, and information of the inaugural event were shared at a press conference here on Tuesday (July 28) by Swami Muktidananda, president, Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mysuru.

Following the inauguration of the memorial, the Prime Minister will visit Sri Ramakrishna Ashram in Yadavagiri and address a gathering at the Vidyashala Stadium at around 4.25 p.m., with arrangements in progress at the ashram. While entry to the inauguration ceremony will be restricted owing to limited space and security arrangements, members of the public can attend the meeting, subject to VVIP security protocols, the ashram said.

The Niranjana Math or old Anathalaya where Swami Vivekananda had stayed later fell into disrepair, and a few Mysureans decided to build a memorial in the name of Swami Vivekananda there. Following recommendations made during the celebrations marking the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the State government handed over the property to Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mysuru, for the construction of a memorial. The Mysuru City Corporation also undertook renovation of the Niranjana Math.

The government subsequently entrusted Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama with constructing the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre, with the project commencing after the bhoomi puja on July 11, 2022. The ashram said the project has been completed under the leadership of Swami Muktidananda, with the support of monks and devotees.

The Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre comprises a basement and G+3 main building with a built-up area of about 75,300 sq. ft., besides a G+2 annex building measuring around 6,300 sq. ft. It houses a 4-D Experience Centre, exhibition hall, amphitheatre with seating for around 700 people, classrooms, conference halls, a book stall, library, reading room, and a meditation and yoga hall.

According to the press release, the centre is dedicated to promoting the teachings and philosophy of Swami Vivekananda. It is expected to serve as a training and value-education hub for more than 10,000 students from nearby educational institutions and offer short-term courses and workshops for urban and rural youth based on Swami Vivekananda’s ideals.

Published - July 28, 2026 07:31 pm IST