A file photo of Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah.
Credit: PTI File Photo
Mangaluru: Under the leadership of the Sivagiri Mutt in Varkala and in collaboration with the Mangalore University Sri Narayana Guru Study Chair, the centenary celebration of the dialogue between Mahatma Gandhi and Sri Narayana Guru, as well as the centenary of Sri Narayana Guru's Mahasamadhi, will be inaugurated by chief minister Siddaramaiah at Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri on December 3.
As part of the programme, a ‘Yathipuja' and centenary of sarvamatha sammelana organised by Narayana Guru, will be organised, said MLC B K Hariprasad.
The Chief Minister will also inaugurate the completed portion of Sri Narayana Guru Study Chair building at Mangalore University and will also lay the foundation stone for the extension of the building at a cost of Rs three crore.
The programme will be held on a three acre land in university campus and is likely to be attended by 10,000 to 15,000 people. Sivagiri mutt head Sachidananda Swamy, Public Accounts Committee chairman K C Venugopal will take part in the programme, he told mediapersons in Mangaluru.
He said Mahatma Gandhi met Narayana Guru at Sivagiri mutt in Kerala on March 12, 1925. The historic conversation had focused on harmony, brotherhood and abolition of untouchability. The programme aimed to spread the message of Narayana Guru on peace, harmony, and brotherhood among people. It is apolitical programme and will be attended by all. In fact, former DK MP Nalin Kumar Kateel had given Rs 10 lakh from MPLAD for the Narayana Guru Study Chair at the university.
Hariprasad said Narayana Guru had fought against untouchability in a peaceful manner. As a continuation of the programme, a grand Shree Guru Samavesha will be organised to commemorate the consecration of the idol of Lord Shiva at Kudroli Shri Gokarnanatha Kshetra by Narayana Guru in Mangaluru on February 21.
Sri Narayana Guru Dialogue and Guru Centenary Celebrations Committee convener PV Mohan said that the decision to hold a centenary event in Mangaluru was made at Sivagiri, as Brahmashree Narayana Guru visited Mangaluru and established his last temple in Kudroli.