# Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya, Coimbatore

Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya, Coimbatore is a group of educational institutions with 19 wings offering courses from pre-school to doctoral levels. The Vidyalaya was established in 1930 in the suburbs of Coimbatore, India, and affiliated to Ramakrishna Mission in 1934. Ramakrishna Mission's official General Reports start giving reports of its activities from 1936.
The Vidyalaya strives to infuse the educational and spiritual ideas of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda into the daily lives of its students. Values such as self-reliance, self-control, patriotism and dedication to duty are taught in practical ways. A band of monks and brahmacharis of the Ramakrishna Order manage the activities of the Vidyalaya assisted by teaching and non-teaching staff.

## History

A branch of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission (Belur Math), this institution was founded in 1930 by Dr. T.S. Avinashilingam. Remarkably, it began with a mere investment of Rs. 5.75 and a single student. From these humble beginnings, the Vidyalaya has blossomed into a sprawling educational and spiritual hub, encompassing approximately twenty wings.
Dr. Avinashilingam's inspiration stemmed from a profound encounter with Swami Shivananda, a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna and a follower of Swami Vivekananda's teachings. Swami Shivananda instilled in the young Avinashilingam the belief that education was paramount for India's resurgence. This "sacred touch," as Dr. Avinashilingam later recalled, ignited within him the passion and foresight to embark on his educational mission.
In 1934, Mahatma Gandhi laid the foundation stone of the Vidyalaya, expressing his hope that its students would become intensely patriotic and unwavering in their pursuit of truth. That same year, the Vidyalaya officially became affiliated with the Ramakrishna Mission, solidifying its connection to this esteemed organization.

## Campus

Nestled in a serene 300-acre setting about 19 kilometers from Coimbatore city on the Ooty highway, the Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya stands as a testament to the power of vision and dedication. It is home to hundreds of bird species, including peacocks.

## Ramakrishna Temple

A new temple of Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was dedicated by Revered Srimat Swami Gautamanandaji Maharaj, Vice President, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission Belur Math, on 16th January 2024
A three-day programme from 15th to 17th January 2024 was held to mark this auspicious event. Around 300 monks and 11,000 devotees participated in the sacred ceremony.
Special Features of the Temple
* Each deity is associated with a particular birth star. The consecration ceremony of the Temple of Sri Ramakrishna took place on the day of Purva Bhadrapada, the birth star of Sri Ramakrishna.
* This is probably the first Temple of Sri Ramakrishna where the two sides of the door have been designed to include the figures of the lion and lamb in endearment signifying the idea once expressed by Swami Vivekananda that 'great power and gentleness become united in love'.
* An aerial view of the temple presents a big gopuram with a trident housed in the middle of four small gopurams. This seems to signify the Shiva Panchayatana Puja, a worship tradition involving the veneration of five deities - with Lord Shiva as the central figure surrounded by the idols of Vishnu, Ganesha, Shakti and Surya.
* A total of 26 kalashas adorn the roof of the Temple. The number 26 has philosophical significance in Hinduism as it signifies the Supreme Being or the Paramatma. It is believed that even if a devotee were to count from 1 to 100 for some other purpose, the moment the number 26 is uttered, the Lord feels that the devotee is addressing Him and therefore presents Himself before the devotee, saying, "Here I am". This is mentioned by Nampillai in his vyakhyanam to verse 1.10.2 (Ennilum varum) of Saint Nammazhwar's Thiruvaimozhi.

## Institutions

Schools:
* Vidyalaya High School (Estd. 1930)
* T.A.T. Kalanilayam Middle School (Estd. 1940)
* Swami Shivananda Hr. Sec. School (Estd. 1960)
* Swami Shivananda Higher Secondary School (English Medium) (Estd. 1989)
* Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya CBSE School (Estd. 2024)
Teacher Training:
* Gandhi Teacher Training Institute (Estd. 1942)
* College of Education (Estd. 1950)
Technical & Vocational Training:
* Industrial Training Institute (Estd. 1951)
* Polytechnic College (Estd. 1956)
Higher Education (Arts & Sciences):
* College of Arts and Science (Autonomous) (Estd. 1964)
Other Institutions:
* Institute of Agriculture and Rural Development (Estd. 1956)
* Maruthi College of Physical Education (Estd. 1956)
Off-Campus Faculties (Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute - RKMVERI):
* Faculty of Disability Management and Special Education (FDMSE)
* Faculty of General and Adapted Physical Education and Yoga (GAPEY)
* Faculty Center for Computer Science Applications and Research (FYCSAR)
* Faculty of Agriculture, Rural and Tribal Development (ARTD

## Social services
### Medical Camp

A key component of this outreach is the organization of free and regular medical camps. Collaborating with nine reputable hospitals in Coimbatore, the Vidyalaya brings specialized healthcare directly to 22 rural and tribal areas. These camps address a range of critical health needs, offering consultations and checkups in:
* Orthopedics
* Oncology (Cancer)
* Gynecology
* Ophthalmology (Eye Check-up)
* Cardiology
* General Medicine
* Dentistry
The impact of these medical camps is significant. During the 2024 and 2025 period, a total of 55 camps were conducted, benefiting 3185 individuals. The breakdown of beneficiaries demonstrates the program's reach across different demographics:
* Male Beneficiaries: 1161
* Female Beneficiaries: 1533
* Children Beneficiaries: 491
These figures underscore the Vidyalaya's commitment to providing accessible and quality healthcare to those who need it most, contributing to the overall well-being of the rural and tribal communities it serves. The collaborative effort with established hospitals ensures that patients receive expert care and attention. The Vidyalaya's rural development initiatives, including these medical camps, exemplify its dedication to social responsibility and community upliftment, inspired by the ideals of Swami Vivekananda.
The Swami Akhandananda Rural Development Scheme started in 2002. Under this scheme, Arivoli Nagar and other rural areas are provided with tuitions and medical services.

### Rural Development

Since 2002, the Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya has been actively involved in rural development through its "Vidyalaya Integrated Rural Development Scheme." This initiative has positively impacted economically disadvantaged communities in areas like Arivoli Nagar, Jeeva Nagar, Ambedkar Nagar, and Pudupudhur through various development projects.
To mark Swami Vivekananda's 150th birth anniversary, the Vidyalaya intensified its rural outreach. A significant project was undertaken in Sri Bharati Nagar, a rural area approximately 8 kilometers from the Vidyalaya. This effort involved the combined resources and expertise of the extension service departments from all the Vidyalaya's constituent institutions.

### Sarada Noon Meal Scheme

While the Tamil Nadu government's noon meal program supports school children, many college and post-matric students from impoverished rural families are left without this crucial benefit. This often forces them to drop out of higher education or struggle academically due to poor nutrition. To address this gap, the Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya launched the "Sarada Noon Meals Scheme" in 2015-16.
This program provides free noon meals to approximately 400 deserving students annually. Eligible students are those whose parents' annual income is less than Rs. 2 lakh and who are enrolled in one of the Vidyalaya's following institutions, all located on a single campus:
* Three Colleges: College of Arts and Science, College of Education, and Maruthi College of Physical Education
* Three Post-Matric Institutions: Polytechnic, Industrial Training Institute, and Diploma in Agricultural Education
* Four Faculties of the Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute

### Sister Nivedita Anna Yojana

To honor the 150th birth anniversary of Sister Nivedita, the Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya launched the "Sister Nivedita Anna Yojana" in 2017. This program initially aimed to deliver free lunches year-round to the doorsteps of 50 elderly and destitute individuals living nearby.
Since May 29, 2022, the program has been operating from the main entrance of the Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya. Here, 50 people in need receive a free lunch daily.

## Celebrations
### Gurupuja

Every year on the first Sunday, the Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya holds its 'Gurupuja' celebrations. This special ceremony is dedicated to Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna. The entire Vidyalaya community—staff and students alike—participates in a range of activities, including educational exhibitions, annadanam (distribution of food), cultural programs, spiritual lectures, classical music performances, and sporting events. The Gurupuja celebrations attract approximately one lakh visitors to the Vidyalaya.

### Kalaimagal Vizha

The Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya in Coimbatore celebrates Kalai Magal Vizha annually during Navaratri. "Kalai Magal," meaning Goddess Saraswati (the goddess of wisdom), gives the festival its name. This three-day event honors Saraswati with a diverse program: an address by a distinguished speaker on the first day, a music concert on the second, and dance and drama performances by various Vidyalaya institutions on the third, each with its own cultural theme.

### Swaram

The Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya hosts "SWARAM," an annual cultural competition featuring dramatic portrayals of diverse themes. These include the life stories of freedom fighters and historic Tamil kings, the lives and teachings of saints, core values, and folk dances. Approximately twelve colleges from across Tamil Nadu participate each year, giving students a platform to hone their skills and raise public awareness through their dramatic presentations.

### Play Festival

Play Festival is an annual event, in which about 4000 students from some 45 primary schools perform physical, yogic and calisthenic exercises to the rhythm of devotional and nationalistic songs. Generally conducted in February.

## Ramayana Park

Recognizing the need for wholesome leisure activities, particularly for children, the Ramayana-Mahabharata Theme Park offers a unique entertainment experience rooted in Indian culture. Addressing the over-reliance on Western forms of recreation, the park seeks to provide a space for fun, health, cultural enrichment, historical understanding, and pure joy.
Inspired by the enduring influence of the Ramayana on Indian culture, civilization, history, and social values, the park aims to transmit these ancestral principles to a wider audience. The epic's rich historical, ethical, and moral content provides a strong foundation for character development.
The park's design centers around life-sized representations of twenty-one key Ramayana figures, each embodying specific characteristics and narratives. This innovative approach allows children to engage in physical activity and recreation while simultaneously absorbing the Ramayana's powerful lessons about character, art, and culture.
Key scenes and characters brought to life within the park include the devoted Hanuman, whose heart symbolizes the key to understanding the Ramayana; Adisesha, the serpent on whom Lord Vishnu rests, and who incarnated as Rama; the monstrous Kabandha; the sea-giantess Surasaa; the Rishyamukha Mountain; the noble Jataayu; the divine bow of Shiva and Sita's marriage; the conflict between Vaali and Sugriva; and many more. The park offers a captivating glimpse into the Ramayana's epic story.