186th Birth Anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa Celebrated in Silchar Under Strict Covid Protocols

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, The Ramakrishna Seva Samiti of Silchar officials didn’t organise almost any religious event gathering. Instead, during the lockdown period, they went around different parts of the Barak Valley to offer help and aid to the needy ones. As this year the situation is gradually getting under control, especially in this valley where the infection rate is almost nearing zero, hence the birth anniversary event of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa is being held in a bit normal manner this year. On March 15, around 11,000 disciples took prasad at the Silchar Ramakrishna Mission as the 186th Birth Anniversary festival went underway. Just like in Durga Puja last year, the sanitiser was kept at the entry gate and everyone took proper precautions while participating in the festivities. Different events and festivities will be organized in the Ramakrishna Mission for seven days, with a concluding event next Sunday.

According to Swami Ganadhishananda Maharaj,  the festival went underway through Mangalarti at 4:30 am. Then the monks of the mission and the Brahmachari Maharajs recited the Veda mantras. At morning 5:45 am, the Usha Kirtan started where all the disciples took part. Keeping a portrait of Sri Ramakrishna Dev, the Usha kirtan went on inside the mission premises. Special puja of Sri Ramakrishna Dev, Chandipath, Sangeetanjali and other lesion and discussions were held. On that day, around 11 thousand disciples of Sri Ramakrishna were offered khichdi prasad.

Maharaj then went on to say, “As the infection rate in Barak Valley is almost nearing zero, we are celebrating the birth anniversary event of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa in a bit normal manner this year. But strict Covid protocols are still being maintained. Special Covid gates have been constructed, providing sanitiser to everyone attending. Nobody was offered prasad in bare hands, but on a plate made from beetle leaves. There was no sitting arrangement for anyone and everyone accepted the prasad keeping enough distance from each other.”

Recently, Swami Vagishananda Maharaj passed away and his sworn disciples followed several rituals and restrictions to pay their respects to the departed soul. The disciples spent three days surviving on strictly fruits and have returned to their usual routine on Monday only after taking prasad at the anniversary festival.