Courtesy: Consulate General of India, Seattle
A statue of Swami Vivekananda, the Indian spiritual leader who introduced Vedanta Hinduism and yoga to the West, was unveiled at Seattle’s Westlake Park on Saturday, April 11.
The gift, from the government of India, honors Vivekananda’s message of universal brotherhood and religious tolerance, which he famously shared at the 1893 Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago. This monument is the first installation of Vivekananda hosted by a city government anywhere in the United States
The unveiling ceremony was attended by several dignitaries including Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, Kent Mayor Dana Ralph, Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus, Tukwila Mayor Tom McLeod, Normandy Park Mayor Eric Zimmerman, and Kirkland Mayor Kelli Curtis. A large number of community leaders from the Indian American community and city councilmembers of Bellevue, Bothell, Dupont and Redmond also joined in the ceremony.
A crowd gathered for the unveiling of the Swami Vivekananda Monument at Westlake Park in Seattle on April 11, 2026. (Courtesy: Consulate General of India, Seattle)
Born in 1863, Vivekananda believed in “Practical Vedanta,” teaching that divinity resides within every person, that serving humanity is the highest form of worship, and that strength and courage are essential to life. In India, his birthday is celebrated as National Youth Day.
Seattle Parks and Recreation worked closely with Indian officials to make sure the monument fits thoughtfully into the city’s urban landscape.
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