August 13, 2013: Swami Vivekananda Rath yatra, one of the most awaited events in the three-day festival by Sri Ramakrishna Seva Samithi, began with pomp and splendour here on Monday. The event is being organised by Sri Ramakrishna Math, Hyderabad to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

The statue, which was modelled after his stance at the Parliament of the Worlds Religions in Chicago, was decked on an imposing vehicle-turned-chariot. The background had an image of Vivekananda meditating at Kanyakumari. The procession began at NTR Circle and made its way through all important parts of the city. The chariot was closely followed by sales vans which housed subsidised books brought out by Ramakrishna Math. People, especially youth, turned out in huge numbers during the procession.

Earlier in the day, speakers Swami Raghunayakanandaji and Swami Sannivasanandaji delivered lectures at SV Agricultural College and College of Veterinary Science on the life and teachings of Vivekananda.

Source: The Hindu, DT. August 13, 2013.