RSS to launch 100th year celebrations on Vijayadashami in Ayodhya, breaking Nagpur tradition

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) will mark its 100th year of establishment this Vijayadashami with a series of year-long programmes. In a historic first, the celebrations will begin not from its Nagpur headquarters, but from the sacred city of Ayodhya.

Preparations for the event were discussed in a high-level meeting at Karsevakpuram, attended by affiliated organisations of the Sangh.

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On Vijayadashami (October 2), thousands of volunteers are expected to participate in a grand path-sanchalan (march) along Rampath, where RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale will deliver the keynote address.

Traditionally, the RSS has observed its foundation day in Nagpur with local volunteers. The shift to Ayodhya is seen as part of its “Panch Parivartan” (Five Transformations) campaign during the centenary year. This year’s Vijayadashami, falling on October 2, also carries added significance as it coincides with the birth anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri, the second Prime Minister of India and the proponent of the famous slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.”

Meanwhile, after the date of Shri Ram Mandir religious flag hoisting ceremony was fixed to be held on November 25 next, it has been decided that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will attend the ceremony.

Meanwhile, Ayodhya is gearing up for preparation for the Shri Ram Mandir religious flag-hoisting ceremony on November 25. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will attend the event.

He will arrive a day earlier to stay at Saket Nilayam, the Sangh’s local headquarters, which is being renovated for the occasion.

Confirming Bhagwat’s visit, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra member Dr. Anil Mishra held a closed-door meeting with key RSS functionaries in Ayodhya. Saket Nilayam in-charge Krishna Chandra also confirmed that RSS officials from across the country are likely to participate.