RSS marks centenary Vijayadashami in Nagpur as Bhagwat performs shastra puja

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) celebrated its centenary-year Vijayadashami festival in Nagpur. Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat performed shastra pujan, the worship of weapons, in the traditional manner. The Sangh is completing 100 years since its founding, and this year's event is therefore considered special.

Sanjay Gupta, chief editor of Dainik Jagran, was present as chief guest. According to information shared by the Sangh, former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar was also among the guests. Israel's Consul General in the Midwest, Yaniv Reavach, was also present at the event. The festival was the Shri Vijayadashami Utsav of Nagpur Mahanagar and has been recorded as Yugabda 5128.

Before the shastra pujan, Bhagwat visited Smriti Mandir in Nagpur, where he offered floral tributes at the statue of the Sangh's founder, Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. Smriti Mandir is an important site linked to the Sangh's founder and the history of the organisation. Paying tribute there on Vijayadashami is part of the Sangh's annual programme.

Worshipping weapons on Dussehra is an old tradition in the Sangh, and it is given particular importance at the annual Vijayadashami festival. Bhagwat observed the same tradition this time too.

The Sangh was founded in Nagpur in 1925 by Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, and that day too was Vijayadashami. For this reason Dussehra holds a distinct meaning for the organisation. The centenary event is tied to the completion of 100 years since that beginning.

Every year on Vijayadashami, the Sangh holds path sanchalan (route marches) and other events in different parts of the country, in which swayamsevaks (volunteers) take part in the organisation's traditions and activities. The Nagpur Vijayadashami event is counted among the Sangh's major gatherings, and its importance has grown further this time because it marks the centenary. Special interest in the event is being seen across the country.