125th Anniv: Year-Long Celebrations Planned To Mark Swami Vivekananda’s Bay Area Visit

India-West Staff Reporter

BERKELEY, CA –The Vedanta Society of Berkeley, in collaboration with the Consulate General of India in San Francisco, has announced a year-long celebration marking the 125th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s visit to the Bay Area.

The celebrations will begin with an interfaith gathering at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland on February 22 at 2 PM. This venue holds historical significance as the location where Swami Vivekananda delivered eight lectures during his visit on February 22, 1900. Leaders from various faiths will come together to discuss religious harmony, a core principle championed by the revered philosopher and spiritual leader, an organizer said.

Swami Vivekananda, a prominent 19th-century Indian thinker, is best remembered for his transformative speech at the 1893 Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago, where he advocated for interfaith harmony, spirituality, and service. His teachings left a lasting impact on the Bay Area, where he delivered 73 lectures in 97 days across seven venues.

“Swami Vivekananda graced the Bay Area with his powerful presence, leaving an indelible mark on every heart he touched. Let us celebrate this legacy with fervor and immerse ourselves in his teachings,” said Swami Prasannatmananda, the Swami-in-Charge of the Vedanta Society of Berkeley.

Highlights of Upcoming Events

• Swami Vivekananda: Sacred Wisdom for the Digital Age – A discussion featuring Prof. Jeffery Long and Swami Tyagananda on April 26, 2025, at 7 PM, India Community Center, Milpitas.
• Musical Tribute – A ticketed concert blending Indian classical and fusion music on July 26, 2025, at 3 PM, Center for Performing Arts, San Jose.
• Spiritual Retreats – Two retreats with monks from the Ramakrishna Order on July 4 and 5, 2025, at Berkeley and San Ramon.
• Book Launches – October 2025 releases include The Gift Unopened: A New American Revolution by Eleanor Stark and A Guide Book for Swami Vivekananda Pilgrimage.
• Vivekananda Pilgrimage Guided Tour – A bus tour of Bay Area sites associated with Swami Vivekananda’s visit in January 2026.
• Closing Ceremony – February 21, 2026, at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland.

All events, except the musical tribute, are free and open to the public.

For more information, visit www.vedantaberkeley.org or contact Adhirai Marimuthu at 510-848-8862.

Founded in 1939, the Vedanta Society of Berkeley is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting harmony and inclusivity through Vedanta’s timeless teachings.

Also Read: Yoga And Hinduism’s Journey To America – Film On Vivekananda Streams On PBS