Ramakrishna Centre celebrates centenary of founder

The Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa hosted a grand celebration at the Kendra Hall in Durban on Sunday to commemorate the centenary of the birth of its revered founder and first president, Sri Swami Nischalananda.

The event drew over a thousand guests, including prominent Hindu dignitaries, including swamis and swaminis.  Among the distinguished attendees was His Excellency Professor Anil Sooklal, South Africa’s first Hindu-born High Commissioner to India, accompanied by his wife, Dr Nelistra Singh-Sooklal.

Delivering the keynote address, Professor Sooklal paid tribute to Swami Nischalananda, whose pioneering work laid the foundation for the Ramakrishna Centre SA. He praised the Swami’s dedication to Vedanta philosophy — especially Advaita Vedanta — and the four paths of yoga: Jnana (knowledge), Bhakti (devotion), Karma (action), and Raja Yoga (meditation).

He reminded attendees of Swami Vivekananda’s message, embraced by Swami Nischalananda: “Selfless service is the real worship of God in man.”

The current president of the Ramakrishna Centre SA, Revered Swami Swatmaramananda, described the meaning of Swami Nischalananda’s name — “still, unwavering, serene” — and reflected on how the founder embodied these qualities.

Swami Swatmaramananda also delivered soul-stirring bhajans while guests were served lunch prasad, and he honoured several long-standing devotees with the traditional gift of shawls.

Revered Pravrajika Ishtaprana Mataji, spiritual head of the Sri Sarada Devi Ashram in Durban, delivered the final address. She offered an insightful narration of Swami Nischalananda’s life journey — from his early years as Dhanagopal Naidoo, born in 1925 in Newcastle, to becoming a spiritual visionary who founded the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa in 1942 in Avoca, Glen Anil.

The celebration was uplifted by a spectacular live music performance by internationally acclaimed artists: Annada Prasanna Pattanaik (flute), Varun Pradeep (vocals and keyboard), and Venkatesh Dommasandra Chandrashekar (tabla). Their music echoed through the hall, adding a divine rhythm to the spiritual atmosphere.