With great joy and devotion, I take this opportunity to share a brief report of the celebration of the 191st Birth Tithi Puja of Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna and the subsequent “Ananda Utsav” held at Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Sribhumi.
The sacred Tithi Puja was observed on February 19, 2026, with due solemnity and devotional fervor. The day commenced at 4:30 a.m. with Mangal Aratrik, followed by Vedic chanting by the hostel students, monks, and brahmacharins. At 5:30 a.m., Usha Kirtan was performed by the students, monks, brahmacharins, and devotees, filling the Ashrama premises with spiritual vibrations.
At 6:30 a.m., the sacred Sapta Sati Chandi Path was recited. At 7:00 a.m., the Special Puja of Sri Sri Thakur was conducted according to scriptural injunctions. Devotional bhajans and kirtans were sung at 8:00 a.m., and at 9:30 a.m., the sacred Homa was performed, followed by Pushpanjali offered by a large number of devotees.
A discourse on the holy life and universal message of Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna was delivered, emphasising His ideals of harmony of religions and God-realisation. On this sacred Tithi day, approximately 5,000 devotees partook of the cooked prasad. Fruits and sweets were reverentially distributed to all devotees every day after the functions.
In the evening, after Arati, a devotional Kalikirtan was rendered by Sri Tapojyoti Deb, which deeply inspired the assembled devotees.
On 20th February 2026, after the evening Arati of Sri Sri Thakur, Swami Jnanalokananda, Trustee of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission and Secretary of Swami Vivekananda’s Ancestral House, delivered an illuminating lecture on “Avatar Varistha Sri Ramakrishna.” This was followed by a devotional musical programme by Sri Debasish Dutta from Kolkata.
On 21st February 2026, Swami Aryeshananda, Monk of Ramakrishna Math Baghbazar, delivered a lecture on “Holy Mother and Her Daily Life – Lessons for All of Us,” highlighting the life and teachings of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi. Thereafter, Swami Bhitiharananda, Secretary of Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Chandigarh, spoke on “The Concept of God as Explained by Swami Vivekananda,” and also conducted devotional bhajans for about thirty minutes.
The grand “Ananda Utsav” was celebrated on 22nd March 2026 with devotion and enthusiasm. The day began with Mangal Aratrik, followed by the ceremonial Puja of Sri Sri Thakur. Devotional bhajans were rendered by local artists, including Sri Ramanakta Dey and Suraj Kuri. A sacred Kathamrita Path was conducted by Swami Punyarupananda, followed by Kalikirtan by a local radio artist.
Cooked prasad was distributed to nearly 3,500 devotees on that day. In the evening, after Arati, a classical devotional song was presented by Sri Angshuman Hore. Thereafter, Swami Aryeshananda delivered a discourse on “Sri Ramakrishna’s Universal Message.” The programme concluded with congregational bhajans and chanting of “Ramakrishna Sharanam.”
Throughout these sacred observances, thousands of devotees participated with deep devotion in a peaceful and spiritually uplifting atmosphere. Similar devotional programmes were also organised in our other centres, befitting the holy occasion.
