Kolkata celebrates Vivekananda's 150th birthday

Kolkata on Thursday celebrated the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda with sirens ringing up early in the morning.

Vivekananda was born as Narendranath Dutta in Shimla Pally, Kolkata on January 12, 1863.

The school children and common people take out rallies and procession to celebrate the birth centenary of the legend.

The processions started from Simla Street, the birth place of Swamiji, popularly known as Vivekananda Road, to Bullygunj, and from Behala to Tala.

Both Belur Math and Dakshineswar Temple were also flooded with enthusiasts from across the city.

The huge procession starting from College square to Simla was a perfect snap to feel the celebration. Another procession from Golpark Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture also depicted the same scenario.

Kolkata Mayor Shovondeb Chatterjee and celebrities from every walk of life joined the Prabhat Feri.

Though the Belur Ramakrishna Math and Mission has decided to celebrate Swamiji's birth anniversary between 2013 and 2014, Kolkata seems to be all set to celebrate the year long celebrations starting from early Thursday morning.

Earlier during a press meet, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had hinted that her government will celebrate birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda with great zeal and fervour.

Not only Vivekaknanda, Bengal will also bring to light the contribution of Sri Ramakrishna, Sarada Devi and Sister Nivedita .

The upcoming Kolkata Book Fair 2012 is also bracing up to celebrate Vivekaknanda's birth centenary.

The Bengal Publishers and Booksellers Guild, the main organiser of the fair, has announced to celebrate the auspicious occasion by having a separate Vivekanda Hall, where some rare photographs and writings of Swami Vivekananda will be exhibited for the public.

Just a few days back, the Eastern Railway had run Vivek Express exhibition train to to commemorate 150 anniversary of Vivekanand.

Presently, the train is traversing through various parts of the country so that people can take a glimpse of his life and get inspiration from his philosophy.