Covid-19: first time in 123 years, RK Mission cancels foundation day programme

Kolkata, May 1 () For the first time in the morethan 100-year history of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, itsfoundation day programme could not take place on Friday due tothe novel coronavirus outbreak.

The foundation day programme is held on May 1 everyyear at the Belur Math, global headquarters of RamakrishnaMath and Mission, in Howrah district and the Balaram Mandir,the house of a disciple of Ramakrishna Paramhansa, atBaghbazar in North Kolkata.

"In the wake of the emergent situation due tocoronavirus outbreak, there will be no 124th foundation dayprogramme on May 1 either at Belur Math or Balaram Mandir,"General Secretary of Ramakrishna Math and Mission, SwamiSuvirananda, said.

In the past years, devotees attended a special pujaheld on this day and several other events organised for sevendays on the occasion of the foundation day.

Only the usual daily puja has taken place this year,conducted by a handful of monks, a spokesman of the RK Missionsaid.

The Belur Math authorities had restricted entry ofvisitors since March 16 in the wake of the coronavirusoutbreak. After the lockdown was announced, the entry ofcommon visitors had altogether been stopped.

Swamy Vivekananda formed the Mission on May 1, 1897 atthe house of Balaram Bose, a devotee of RamakrishnaParamhansa. The house later became Balaram Mandir and thefoundation day programme was held there and simultaneously atthe Belur Math. SUSNN NN