RSS to Mark Centenary Year with Year-Long Celebrations from Oct 2

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh will celebrate its centenary year from October 2, 2025, to Vijayadashami in 2026. During the centenary year, Sangh volunteers will raise public awareness about the five transformations. These will include environmental protection, social equality, self-reliance, family enlightenment, and civic duty. During the centenary year, extensive door-to-door campaigns, Hindu conferences, enlightened citizens' seminars, and social harmony meetings will also be organized.

At a press conference held at the Tengri Auditorium in Reshimbag, Nagpur, Sunil Ambekar, the All India Publicity Chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, provided information regarding the Vijayadashami festival (October 2, 2025). Vidarbha Province Sanghchalak Deepak Tamshettywar and Nagpur Metropolitan Sanghchalak Rajesh Loya were also present on the stage.

He stated that the sacred festival of Vijayadashami is a festival of awakening masculinity and power in Hindu society. On this sacred occasion, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) celebrates its 100th anniversary. This is a testament to the long journey of Hindu society over the centuries, committed to the goal of world peace and human welfare. This year, the Sri Vijayadashami festival is being held on Ashwin Shukla Dashami, Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 7:40 a.m. at the Reshambag grounds. Former President of India, Dr. Ram Nath Kovind, will be the chief guest, and Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat will deliver a guiding address.

There is an atmosphere of excitement among the volunteers as well as the people of all states of India regarding the centenary year. Public trust in the Sangh is also growing, and it is being felt. He said that today, the Sangh's branches have expanded in all provinces of the country, even in remote areas. This work has reached all sections of society. Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar founded the organization for the development of individuals. Seventeen comrades attended the first meeting held at his home in Nagpur. The work that began there has now taken on a broader scope thanks to the support, participation, and hard work of the community.

In the early days of the Sangh, when the Sangh Shakha began, it didn't expand immediately. Over a few months, each detail was gradually finalized, and on April 17, 1926, at a meeting, various names were discussed, and everyone unanimously decided on the name Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. On May 28, 1926, the first Shakha was established in Mohite Bada, Mahal Bhag, which we know today as the Sangh headquarters.

The expansion of Shakhas was crucial for Sangh work. Currently, the number of Shakhas exceeds 83,000. More than 32,000 weekly meetings are held. The Sangh's first march in full uniform took place in 1926. This march began from Mohite Bada and reached the Rajabaksha Temple in Hanuman Nagar. The Bhosale Raja of Nagpur used to visit Lord Maruti at the Rajabaksha Temple before beginning any important work. Crossing the boundaries is important in Maharashtra, and in that context, the first Path Sanchalan (path march) was started in 1926.

In the early days, the Sangh's Vijayadashami celebration was held at Mohite Bada. However, as the work expanded and the number of branches increased, the celebration began at Yashwant Stadium. After that, it was held at Kasturchand Park. The celebration continued at the same location for many years. Since 1995, the Shri Vijayadashami celebration has been held at Reshimbag.

He said that the attendance of volunteers on Vijayadashami increases every year. Last year, the attendance of volunteers in uniform was around 7,000. This year, attendance is expected to triple. Efforts are being made at the branch level. Due to the centenary year, many volunteers have become active. The program will begin with the worship of weapons, followed by the Pradakshina Sanchalan, Yoga demonstration, Niyuddha, and Ghosh Pratyaksh.

In the centenary year, we are going to conduct household contacts. Under this campaign, people will be directly informed about the Sangh. In the centenary year, various programs will be organized to bring the Sangh's ideology and work to the people. Hindu conventions will be held annually.

He informed that a dialogue session was held in Delhi on August 26, 27, and 28. In a similar vein, a dialogue session will be held in Bangalore on November 7 and 8, addressed by Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat. A one-day dialogue session will be held in Kolkata on December 21. Next year, a dialogue session will be held in Mumbai on February 7 and 8. The baby and child celebrations for Shri Vijayadashami in Nagpur will be held on September 28 and October 5. This year, preparations for the Vijayadashami celebrations are underway with great enthusiasm in Manipur, and a large number of people there are also expected to participate.

Dignitaries from India and abroad will participate in the Shri Vijayadashami celebrations. Among them are Lieutenant General Rana Pratap Kalita (former General Officer Commanding in Chief, Indian Army), K. of Coimbatore, V. Karthik and his family (Managing Director, Deccan Industries) and Sanjiv Bajaj (Chairman, Managing Director, Bajaj Finserv Pune) will be present. In addition, dignitaries from Ghana, South Africa, Indonesia, Thailand, the UK, and the USA have been invited.

A Grand March on September 27th

This time the march will be organised on 27 September 2025. For the first time, the march will start from three places. All three marches will converge at Variety Chowk in Sitabuldi at 7.45 pm. Here, Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohanji Bhagwat will observe the march near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. The first march will start from Kasturchand Park, the second from Yashwant Stadium and the third from the hockey ground on Amravati Road.