The Pran Pratishta ceremony of Thakur Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa’s Vigraha was held on May 2, 2025, at the Sri Ramakrishna Mahasammelan Ashram, Vivekananda Kendra, Nagdandi, Kashmir. The spiritually significant event began with a day-long Panch Sahakar Havan, culminating in the sacred Purnāhuti.
This uplifting occasion was graced by the presence of several dignitaries and devotees. Mananeeya Shri Hanumantha Rao Ji, All-India Vice President of Vivekananda Rock Memorial & Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, participated as the Yajamān. Among the other key attendees were Mananeeya Shri Bhanudas Dhakras Ji (All-India General Secretary), Shri Kishore Tokekar Ji (All-India Joint General Secretary), and Shri Manas Bhattacharyajee Ji (Gujarat Prant Sangathak), alongside Shri Lokesh Ji (Uttar Prant Sah Sangathak and from Vivekananda International Foundation, Delhi). Numerous devotees and well-wishers of the Nagdandi Ashram also attended the event.
The Vigraha Pratiṣṭhā was performed according to the Sri Ramakrishna Paddhati by esteemed monks of the Sri Ramakrishna Mission: Swami Vinirmuktananda Ji and Swami Anamananda Ji from Srinagar, Swami Kalatitananda Ji from Narendrapur (West Bengal), Swami Shankareshananda Ji from Rajkot (Gujarat), Swami Hiramananda Ji from Porbandar (Gujarat), and Swami Prabhupadananda Ji from Tamluk (West Bengal).
A condolence meeting was also held to pay heartfelt tribute to the victims of Baisaran, Pahalgam. The gathering witnessed participation from civil society members, devotees of Sri Ramakrishna Mission, and representatives of the Barfani Baba Trust. At Ashokananda Vatika, Swami Vinirmuktananda Ji (Secretary, Sri Ramakrishna Mission, Srinagar) and Shri Hanumantha Rao Ji addressed the audience. They lauded the spirit of the local Kashmiri population in resisting terrorism and violence, strongly condemning the recent barbaric attack in Baisaran. Both speakers called upon civil society to unite in preserving Kashmir’s age-old legacy of peace and harmony.
Special appreciation was extended to youth-led organizations like the Barfani Baba Trust for their efforts in fostering unity among Kashmiris of all faiths, striving toward the realization of a "Naya Kashmir" — envisioned as the crown of India and a beacon of inspiration to the world. Emphasis was placed on the message that true normalcy can only be achieved when the pen replaces the gun, and when all displaced individuals — irrespective of their faith — can return to their ancestral land with dignity and respect.
Shri Hanumantha Rao Ji remarked that with the Pranām Pratiṣṭhā, Thakur Sri Ramakrishna would now radiate his blessings from this sacred space, spreading the ideals of humility, tolerance, self-discipline, and ego-lessness — values essential for Man-Making and Nation-Building, as envisioned by Swami Ashokananda Ji Maharaj, the founder of SRMA-VK, Nagdandi.
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Shri B.L. Bhat ji, Chairman of the Administrative Committee, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to all the participants, as well as to the civil administration, police, and defense personnel for their support in making the event a resounding success.
