Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre, ‘Vivek Smarak’, at the Sri Ramakrishna Ashram in Mysuru, Karnataka. The memorial will serve as an important centre dedicated to the thoughts of Swami Vivekananda, empowerment of youth, and the spiritual-cultural heritage of India.
Inaugurating the Vivek Memorial in Mysore has brought me great respect and humility. This center will be at the forefront of youth empowerment and spreading the ideals of Swami Vivekananda. During this time, I also met Shrimat Swami Gautamananda Ji Maharaj. pic.twitter.com/4CYNVmWezo
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 1, 2026
Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said, “Mysuru has been a center of India’s eternal cultural consciousness. Its temples, its traditions and festivals, Mysuru’s Dussehra, its grand palaces, its music and literature—India’s rich heritage is embedded in every particle of this city. It is very satisfying to see that this city has preserved and nurtured this heritage with equal skill. The Sri Ramakrishna Ashram and the memories of Swami Vivekananda are also a rich part of Mysuru’s heritage.”
Prime Minister Modi said, “Some time ago, I visited the historic building where Swami Vivekananda spent some time during his stay. Many scholars and intellectuals of Karnataka have been associated with this place. Great men like National Poet Kuvempu also had a deep connection with the Ramakrishna Ashram when they were in Mysore. Today, with the inauguration of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre, or ‘Vivek Smarak’, we are giving new impetus to this mission. For this, I heartily congratulate the Sri Ramakrishna Ashram and all the saints, scholars, and workers associated with it.”
While at the Vivek Smarak in Mysore, I paid homage to Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Holy Mother Sri Sharada Devi and Swami Vivekananda. Their ideologies always give hope and strength to countless people. pic.twitter.com/zjnf6gq6R2
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 1, 2026
On this occasion, the Prime Minister watched a special film on the Vivekananda Memorial and paid tribute to Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Mother Sarada Devi, and Swami Vivekananda. PM Modi paid homage to the country’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage by offering prayers at the Lord Shiva Temple.
Had the privilege of offering prayers at the Shiva temple in the Viveka Memorial Complex in Mysore and visiting the place where Swami Vivekananda stayed in Mysore in 1892. pic.twitter.com/nXt2yzAyft
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 1, 2026
In addition, PM Modi also launched two important Kannada publications at the Sri Ramakrishna Ashram. These include Maharishi Valmiki’s Ramayana (7 volumes) and Swami Chetanananda’s ‘Stories of Vedanta Monks’, titled ‘Badukku Veduku’.