Swami Vivekananda's 150th Birth Anniversary Observed (PHOTOS)

India Thursday observed the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda with cultural activities and special prayers.

Swami Vivekananda, who played an important role in introducing Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the western world, was born in 1863. The birth day of Swamiji, as he was called by his disciples, is also celebrated as the National Youth Day in the country. He played a key role in making Hinduism gain the status of a major world religion during the end of the 19th century.

A disciple of spiritual leader Ramakrishna Paramahansa, Swamiji enchanted the European world by his inspiring speech at the Parliament of the World's Religions at Chicago in 1893.

In Kolkata, a procession was held, Golpark area. A statue of Swamiji was unveiled at a park in Behala area of south Kolkata.

Swamiji founded the social welfare body Ramakrishna Mission.

A Stereoscopic 3D short movie on Swami Vivekananda was launched in Vivekanandar Illam in Chennai, where Swami Vivekananda stayed for nine days on his return from the West in February 1897.  Padmashri R M Vasagam, renowned ISRO space scientist and former Vice-Chancellor Anna University, inaugurates the 3D Theatre facility at Vivekanandar Illam on the birth anniversary of Swamiji.

Here are the photos of the inauguration of the 3D Theatre facility at Vivekanandar Illam in Chennai: