Swami Vivekananda's birthday is celebrated on January 12th every year. He was born on January 12, 1863, in Calcutta (now Kolkata), India.


Swami Vivekananda (born Narendranath Datta) was a Hindu monk, a chief disciple of the 19th-century Indian mystic Ramakrishna. He was a key figure in the introduction of the Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world and is credited with raising interfaith awareness, bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion during the late 19th century. He was a major force in the revival of Hinduism in India, and contributed to the concept of nationalism in colonial India. He is considered to be a major force in the revival of Hinduism, and his birthday is celebrated as National Youth Day in India.

Life History of Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda was born Narendranath Datta in Calcutta, India on January 12, 1863. His father, Vishwanath Datta, was an attorney, and his mother, Bhubaneswari Devi, was a devout housewife. From a young age, Narendranath was interested in spirituality and religion. He was particularly drawn to the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu text, and was known for his ability to recite passages from it by heart.

In 1881, Narendranath met Ramakrishna, a mystic and spiritual leader who would become his guru. Under Ramakrishna's guidance, Narendranath began to pursue a monastic way of life and eventually became one of his chief disciples, taking the name Vivekananda.

After Ramakrishna's death in 1886, Vivekananda traveled throughout India for several years, seeking to understand the country's various spiritual traditions. During this time, he met with many of the leading figures of the day, including the Indian reformers and politicians.

In 1893, Vivekananda was invited to speak at the World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago, where he introduced Hinduism to the Western world and became an instant sensation. Following this, He traveled across USA and Europe and gave lectures and speeches on Hinduism and Indian culture, religions, education, and much more.

After returning to India in 1897, Vivekananda established the Ramakrishna Mission, a monastic order and spiritual organization that continues to serve the people of India to this day. He died on July 4, 1902, at the age of 39, but his teachings continue to be widely studied and admired to this day.

Swami Vivekananda's philosophy of education, called the "Vivekananda System of Education" emphasizes on the education of the whole person and not just the mind, through a process of self-discovery and self-reliance, and a focus on character-building and moral education.

Kanyakumari and a pilgrimage site for followers of Vivekananda.

Kanyakumari, also known as Cape Comorin, is a coastal town located in the southernmost tip of mainland India. It is known for its beautiful beaches, historic temples, and the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, which is dedicated to the Hindu monk and spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda.

Swami Vivekananda visited Kanyakumari in December 1892 and is said to have meditated on a rock off the coast, which is now known as the Vivekananda Rock Memorial. The memorial, which was built in 1970, features a statue of Vivekananda and a meditation hall that visitors can enter. A footbridge connects the mainland to the rock memorial. The memorial is considered as a major tourist attraction in Kanyakumari and a pilgrimage site for followers of Vivekananda.

The Vivekananda Memorial is built on one of two rocks located about 500 meters off the shore and is accessible by ferry. It comprises of two main structures, the Vivekananda Mandapam and the Shripada Mandapam. The mandapam is made of granites and it is in the shape of a "Shripada" (The sacred footprint of Lord Vishnu) which is said to have been found on the rock.

In addition to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Kanyakumari is also home to several other important Hindu temples, including the Our Lady of Ransom Church and the Kanyakumari Temple. The town also has a beautiful beach which is known for its sunset view.

10 Interesting facts about Swami Vivekananda

  1. Swami Vivekananda was born as Narendranath Datta on January 12, 1863, in Calcutta, India.
  2. He was a chief disciple of the 19th-century Indian mystic Ramakrishna and was instrumental in introducing the Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world.
  3. Vivekananda was one of the most prominent and influential spiritual leaders of the late 19th century, and his birthday is celebrated as National Youth Day in India.
  4. He was known for his exceptional intellect and powerful oratory skills, and his speeches at the World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893 made him a global figure.
  5. He was the founder of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission
  6. He was also a writer, his books include Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Jnana Yoga
  7. He was a strong advocate for education, encouraging the education of the whole person, not just the mind
  8. He was against caste discrimination and advocated for the upliftment of the downtrodden in Indian society.
  9. He believed that the ultimate goal of human life was self-realization and he urged the youth of India to be self-reliant and to take action to improve their country.
  10. He passed away on 4 July 1902 at the young age of 39, his ashes were kept in a temple in Belur Math, where they are still being kept today and revered as a symbol of India's spiritual heritage.

Swami Vivekananda Books

Swami Vivekananda was a prolific writer, and his books continue to be widely read and studied to this day. Some of his most well-known and influential works include:

  1. Raja Yoga: This book, published in 1896, presents Vivekananda's teachings on the practice of Raja Yoga, which emphasizes the control of the mind as a means of attaining spiritual enlightenment.
  2. Karma Yoga: This book, also published in 1896, presents Vivekananda's teachings on Karma Yoga, the path of selfless action as a means to spiritual liberation.
  3. Jnana Yoga: This book presents Vivekananda's teachings on Jnana Yoga, the path of knowledge and wisdom as a means to spiritual liberation.
  4. Bhakti Yoga: This book presents Vivekananda's teachings on Bhakti Yoga, the path of devotion and love as a means to spiritual liberation.
  5. Inspired Talks: Compilation of his talks during his visit to USA
  6. The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda: This multi-volume set includes all of Vivekananda's lectures, speeches, and writings.
  7. Practical Vedanta: a collection of talks and lectures given by him during his visit to the West.
  8. My Master: This book is an account of his experiences with his Guru, Sri Ramakrishna

All of these books, including The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, are widely available in print and digital form and can be found in major bookstores and online retailers.

Swami Vivekananda Quotes

Swami Vivekananda was known for his powerful oratory skills and his ability to express deep spiritual truths in simple, accessible language. Here are a few of his most well-known and widely quoted sayings:

  1. "Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached"
  2. "Strength is life, weakness is death"
  3. "In a conflict between the heart and the brain, follow your heart"
  4. "Be not afraid of anything. You will do marvelous work. The capacity is within you"
  5. "Be a hero. Always say, 'I have no fear'"
  6. "Behold the whole world as the Self, in the Self, and of the Self"
  7. "The greatest sin is to think yourself weak"
  8. "Education is the manifestation of the perfection already in man"
  9. "Religion is the manifestation of the divinity already in man"
  10. "The fire that warms us can also consume us; it is not the fault of the fire."

Vivekananda's teachings are widely cited and studied for their wisdom and power, his quotes often provide the inspiration and motivation for many individuals to set their goals and reach their potential.

Swami Vivekananda is famous for a number of reasons. Some of the main reasons why he is considered such a significant historical figure include:

  1. Introduction of Indian Philosophy to the West: Swami Vivekananda introduced the Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world, through his speeches and writings. He was a key figure in bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion during the late 19th century.
  2. World's Parliament of Religions: In 1893, Swami Vivekananda represented Hinduism at the World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago. His powerful speeches at the event made him an instant sensation and established him as a leading spokesman for Indian spirituality and culture.
  3. Revival of Hinduism: Swami Vivekananda was a major force in the revival of Hinduism in India. He helped to re-establish the importance of ancient Indian spiritual traditions and encouraged the youth of India to take pride in their cultural heritage.
  4. Advocating for Nationalism and Education: He was a strong advocate for nationalism in colonial India and stressed the importance of education for all and particularly for the upliftment of the downtrodden in Indian society.
  5. Ramakrishna Mission: After returning to India in 1897, Swami Vivekananda established the Ramakrishna Mission, a monastic order and spiritual organization that continues to serve the people of India to this day. The mission is dedicated to social service, education and the promotion of Vedanta.
  6. Inspirational figure: His teachings and speeches continue to be a source of inspiration for many people around the world, who are drawn to his message of spiritual elevation, self-reliance, and service to others.

National Youth Day

National Youth Day is celebrated in India on January 12th, the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. The day was first celebrated in 1984 and was officially declared as the National Youth Day by the Government of India to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. The objective of the day is to generate awareness among the youth of India about the ideals and teachings of Swami Vivekananda and to inculcate the values of patriotism, self-reliance, self-confidence and self-esteem among the youth of India.

On this day, several programs and events are organized by the government, non-government organizations and educational institutions to mark the occasion. These include competitions, seminars, cultural programs, and lectures on the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda.

In addition to events organized on a national level, youth organisations, spiritual organizations and other groups also hold events across the country on this day, such as debates, lectures, processions, and patriotic songs. Some people make it a point to visit the Ramakrishna Mission or Vivekananda Rock Memorial to pay their respects and learn about the life and teachings of Vivekananda.

The celebration of National Youth Day is not limited to India only, but it is also celebrated by Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, its branches across the globe.