Viveka Smaraka

Swamiji's Visit to Mysuru

Swami Vivekananda visited Mysore city in November 1892 as part of his parivrajaka wanderings through the length and breadth of India. Though at that time he was an unknown monk and his stay at Mysore was relatively short, he by virtue of his extraordinary personality, erudition and spiritual magnetism, attracted the attention of a large number of citizen that included most distinguished and notable men of Mysore like the Maharaja Chamaraja Wodeyar , the then Dewan of Mysore State Sir Sheshadri Iyer. Swami Vivekananda in the initial days of his stay resided in the Niranjana Matha, on the Narayama Sastri Road that was centred around an ancient Shiva temple and located adjacent to the Dewans house, called popularly the Seshadri Bhavan . He was later invited to stay for sometime with the maharaja himself at the palace and the two became very intimate. The maharaja receiving a lot of benefit from the Swami in spiritual terms. The Maharaja of Mysore. Chamaraja Wodeyar was instrumental in several ways for Swami Vivekananda proceeding to Chicago for participating in the World Religious Conference in 1893. The deep personal friendship between Swami Vivekananda, the Maharaja and Dewan Seshadri Iyer continued even after Swami Vivekananda left for Chicago.

A new institution called “Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre – Viveka Smaraka” to be built at the hallowed grounds where Swami Vivekananda stayed during his visit to Mysuru in 1892 – which will conduct numerous short-term courses to impart skills and much needed values based on the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda.

Swami Vivekananda, as a wandering monk, visited Mysore in November 1892 and established a personal rapport with Dewan Sheshadri Iyer, the then Maharaja of Mysore, His Highness Sri Chamaraja Wodeyar.

On arrival at Mysore, Swamiji stayed at Anathalaya (formerly Niranjana Math) located on Narayana Sastri Road. Subsequently, at the request of Dewan Seshadri Iyer, Swamiji moved to the Dewan's official residence located just adjacent to the Anathalaya, for a few days before leaving Mysore.

It was during his stay in Mysore, that Swamiji first decided to participate in the World Parliament of Religions to be held in Chicago in 1893. The Maharaja readily offered to defray Swamiji's expenses for travel. Thus, Mysore became the Sankalpa Bhoomi where Swamiji first resolved to participate in the World Parliament of Religions, an important epoch in his life. It is on this premises that the proposed youth centre as a memorial for Swami Vivekananda’s historic visit to Mysuru is planned.

Proposal by The National Committee headed by the then Prime Minister of India

In May 2010, The National Committee, under the Chairmanship of the then Prime Minister, Sri. Manmohan Singhji, decided to commemorate Swami Vivekananda's 150th birth anniversary in 2013, by a number of service programs and also by establishing inspirational centres for youth at the places where Swamiji had stayed.
In response to this call, along with other service programs, the Government of Karnataka decided to start a Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre as a befitting memorial to Swamiji's historic visit to Mysore at the place where Swamiji had stayed – namely, the Anathalaya (formerly Niranjana Math) located right in the heart of the city and in close proximity to the educational institutions serving more than 10,000 students.
The Government of Karnataka chose Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mysuru to build this Youth Centre and conduct courses beneficial to the youth. The Ashrama is now in a position to begin the project, after overcoming numerous legal and other hurdles over a period of nine years.

Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre – A Road Map to Serve the Youth

To impart the above in a perennial manner, the following infrastructure is contemplated at the Centre:
a covered amphitheater seating 600 people for youth interaction, - a smaller central hall for assembly and prayers,
an immersive experience museum on the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda, and his visit to Mysore.
class rooms for conducting short term courses to the youth in various areas - skills development, mind management, the art of human relationship and such other subjects relevant to the youth which are complementary to academic learning,
a tourist guidance space consisting of audio-visual display on the Life and Teachings of Swami Vivekananda, a section for language and communication skills development, - a mini hall for yoga and meditation,
a special training cell for rural youth, - a well-equipped library, - study rooms to prepare for competitive exams, - mini conference rooms for group discussions, - a book exhibition, - an office and administrative unit.