Vedanta Society of New York

Vedanta Society of New York (VSNY) was the first Vedanta Society founded by the Indian Hindu monk, Vivekananda in New York in November 1894. In 1897, Abhedananda, another disciple of Ramakrishna, who came to the United States and took charge of the society. He was the president of the society until 1921. Currently, the Vedanta Society is affiliated with the Ramakrishna Math religious monastic order and the Ramakrishna Mission.

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In 1893 Vivekananda went to the United States and joined the Parliament of the World’s Religions held in Chicago. He was a delegate representing Hinduism and India. After the conclusion of the Parliament, he travelled to many American cities including Minneapolis, Memphis, Detroit and New York. Almost everywhere he went he received a cordial welcome. On 16 May 1894, he delivered a lecture at Harvard University. In November 1894, Vivekananda established the first Vedanta Society in two rented rooms at 54 West 33rd Street in Manhattan, New York City.

1894–1921
Vivekananda travelled to many other places in the United States and England and returned to India in 1897.Abhedananda, another direct disciple of Ramakrishna, went to the United States in the same year and took charge of the society. He was its president until 1921, when he returned to India. As president, Abhedananda helped structure the society and had it incorporated under New York law.

1921–present
The society initially operated out of a rented house and was relocated several times. In 1921, the Society established settled headquarters at 34 West 71st Street, which remains the society’s address.
The Society has had six presidents since inception. Tathagatananda has been president since 1976.

The Vedanta Society of New York is located at 34 West 71st street on the west side of Central Park in Manhattan, New York, a few blocks south of the Museum of Natural History and a few blocks north of Lincoln Center. You may take the B or the C train to 72nd street. John F. Kennedy International Airport is the nearest airport present.

– Daily prayer, weekly devotional singing and scriptural classes, Sunday services, and weekly evening classes on three days in a week. Talks in different parts of the USA, and interviews to spiritual aspirants.
– Special services on Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Durga Puja day, Kali Puja day and the birthdays of Buddha, Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda.
– A library, a reading room, and a book showroom.
– The annual Vivekananda Festival at Vivekananda Retreat, Ridgley.

Monday-Friday: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm & 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Saturday, Sunday & Holidays: 9:00 am to 8:00 pm

The society is affiliated with the Ramakrishna Math religious monastic order and Ramakrishna Mission and houses a library, a book store and a prayer hall. They conduct weekly lecture classes on The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. Seminars and conventions are also regularly organised.