Ramakrishna Mission (Ceylon Branch)
Colombo

Jayanthies, Special Events, Sunday School, Medial Camp, Youth Activities

Activities
Daily morning abishekam accompanied by the chanting of verses from the scriptures, puja and arati. Daily evening puja, bhajan, arati and meditation. On special occasions Homa is performed and religious discourses take place in the shrine room complex. On Friday evenings special Bhajans.

Jayanthi Celebrations

The birthday Thithi pujas of Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda are celebrated with special Puja, Homa, Arati and Bhajan in the morning. The evening Arati is preceded by Bhajan and a Discourse. The respective public celebration is usually held on the following Sunday. In the morning a colourful procession with the relevant decorated portrait is taken through the adjacent streets of the Mission with devotees singing bhajans. At times a cultural program is also arranged in the morning. The public meeting takes place in the evening.

• Sri Krishna Jayanthi :- Special Puja, Bhajan, Chanting of Bhagavad Gita, Archanai, Arati etc.
• Commemoration of the birthdays of Sri Sankara, Sri Ramanuja and Sri Chaitanya
• Commemoration of the birthdays of the direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna.
• Wesak :- The Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana of Lord Buddha. A talk by a bhikhu or a learned Buddhist is arranged with bhajans etc.
• Christmas :- The birth of Jesus Christ. Carols, Bhajans, Reading from the holy Bible, a talk by a Christian clergy is arranged.

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Special Events and Days

• Maha Sivaratri
  The traditional vigil is oberved by a large number of devotees. Special Abishekams, Pujas and Arathi take place in the four Yamas with Bhajans etc. Concludes with a Homa.
• Navaratri and Vijayadasami
  Devi Mahatmyam and special bhajans. The last 3 days of Navaratri are observed with special puja, homa, archanai and Lalitha Sahasranama parayanam. On Vijayadasami day children are initiated into studies-Vidyaramba.
• Kalpataru day on 1st January
• Guru Purnima
• Vinayaha Chaturti, Deepavali, Skanda Sashti, Karthigai Deepam, Tiruvembavai, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Sri Rama Navami, Thai Pongal
• Ekadasi days
  Sri Rama Nama Sangeerthanam, Sri Namaramayanam etc. Puja and Arati.
• Full moon days
  Full moon days are public holidays in Sri Lanka to commemorate the enlightenment of Lord Buddha on a full moon day. On these days devotees assemble at the Shrine room at 9.00 a.m and participate in the chanting of Vedic hymns, reciting of Mantras, meditation, bhajan, archanai, puja and arati. The program ends at noon with devotees assembling for the partaking of prasad and lunch.
• Spiritual Discourses on Saturdays and Sundays
  On Saturday evenings discourses on the "Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna" and on Sunday evenings discourses on spiritual subjects addressed by direct disciples to devotees or other spiritual matters are given by the resident Swamis.

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Sunday Religious School

This school for children was started on Sri Krishna Jayanthi day in 1952. It has now 865 children with 52 volunteer teachers on the staff. The school session is 8:30 a.m to 11:30 a.m. The children are grouped into different classes and taught religious subjects and moral studies, discipline, right conduct and behavior leading to their physical, mental and spiritual development. They are motivated to take part in cultural programs and debates to also create self-confidence in them. Prizes are awarded to encourage them.

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Free Medical Service

On the first Sunday of every month about 6 to 10 doctors volunteer to give free medical treatment and advice to those seeking treatment at the mission's medical center. Wherever possible free medical supplies are handed over. Usually patients call over for blood pressure, blood sugar complaints, eye and ear defects and for a general checkup or minor diseases.
On occasions in the company of a resident Swami a group of  doctors and volunteers conduct a medical camp at remote areas with the supply of medicines. In cases of major illness, patients are advised to get treatment at a hospital.

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Youth Activities

Boys and girls seeking to lead a spiritual life assemble at the mission on Saturday and Sunday mornings for about 2 hours. Ideals of Swami Vivekananda on man making, leadership and personality development are some of the topics discussed.
School going children from outstations are given the opportunity to come to Colombo and stay at the mission with their teachers for 2 or 3 days. A training program is arranged for them. They are also given an opportunity to visit the zoo, museum and other places of interest. A similar program is also made available to the children in Colombo.

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