From a humble single-storey building to a sprawling office complex with three towering structures, the journey of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Delhi reflects a story of steady growth. What began as a small workspace in 1939 has now transformed into majestic Keshav Kunj—a grand architectural marvel, nestled in the heart of Bharat’s capital.
RSS is about to complete 100 years of its journey and during these years, it has witnessed many ups and downs. RSS has also faced bans in 1948 and during emergency, yet it has always worked in the interest of the nation. Today, its work has expanded globally, making it essential to have a new large scale office in the national capital. From its early days as a small group of dedicated swayamsewaks to its present-day RSS has grown immensely. Today, its influence extends not only across Bharat but also to various parts of the world.
The need for RSS’s new Delhi Karyalaya arises because its organisational reach is expanding and its inspired organisations are working among crores of people. With such extensive operations, there was a pressing need that can serve as a coordination point for these efforts, ensuring better efficiency, better synergy and smoother functioning in the national capital.
Though the journey of Sangh started in 1925, RSS Delhi began in 1939 with a modest office space. Over the decades, the Karyalaya expanded—first, a single-floor structure was built in 1962, followed by an additional floor in 1983. In 2016, Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat laid the foundation stone of the new building and from 2018 to 2024, construction took place despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. During this period, the RSS Delhi karyalaya operated temporarily from Udaasin Ashram.
Now, after nearly eight years of construction, the Sangh has returned to its historical address in Jhandewalan, Delhi. The transition will be marked by a Karyakarta Sammelan on February 19, 2025, to be attended by RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat and Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale.
Designed by renowned architect Anoop Dave and built with dedication by the Auspicious Group, the newly built Keshav Kunj spans over 5 lakh square feet. The complex comprises three huge towers—Sadhna, Prerna, and Archana—each with ground plus 12 floors, fulfilling distinct purposes.
Sadhna is the office space for various Sangh-inspired organisations. Prerna will be the residence and home to Swayamsewaks, senior Pracharaks and Sangh Adhikaris whose Kendra is in Delhi. A Hanuman Ji temple on the ground floor adds a spiritual essence. The third tower Archana is a space dedicated to supportive staff and swayamsewaks from other states who come to Delhi for a purpose.
The building, constructed at a cost of around Rs 100 crore, has been funded by the generous contributions of 75,000 Swayamsewaks, some of whom donated as little as Rs 5. The land on which the Karyalaya stands belongs to Keshav Smarak Samiti.
Keshav Kunj is a self-sufficient complex equipped with cutting-edge facilities. Three large halls, including the Ashok Singhal Hall, dedicated to former Vishwa Hindu Parishad president and stalwart with a seating capacity of 460, along with additional halls for 650 and 250 attendees have been made. Smaller halls are available for conferences and discussions. A dedicated chamber for media personnel, accommodating 120 journalists for briefings and interactions.
While designing this new building, high-end technology has been used while keeping Bharatiya Sthapatya Kala in mind. But, what’s important is that every corner of Keshav Kunj reflects responsibility – towards the environment, towards the future.
The 140 KW of Solar Power ensures that the building runs on sustainable energy. Granite frames have replaced traditional wood on the chaukhat. A private sewage treatment plant ensures that no waste is discharged to the municipal system, making it a zero-wastage structure.
Keshav Kunj also houses a library, the Keshav Pustakalaya in its Tower 1. The library has a collection of 8,500 books and a peaceful reading space for up to 50 seekers at a time. Keshav Kunj extends its care beyond its walls through a fully functional dispensary, offering medical assistance not just to Swayamsevaks but to the nearby community as well. With a five-bed clinic in Tower 1, the facility ensures that help is always available for those in need.
Tower 2 has a dedicated bhojanalaya that can serve meals to the Swayamsevaks, where 80 people can eat together in one sitting.
A small ground for Shakha with the statue of Dr Hedgewar named ‘Sangh Sthaan’ has also been made for Swayamsewaks between towers 2 and 3. Parking space for 135 cars has been created for all three towers, which will be increased to 170 in the future.
Click on the link to watch the visuals and details of the newly build RSS Karyalaya:
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