Udupi: A procession organised to mark the 172nd birth anniversary of Brahmashri Narayana Guru received a warm interfaith welcome at Kaup and Mulur as it made its way from Udupi to Hejamady.
The ‘Guru Sandesh Samadhi Jatha’, organised by the Udupi District Billava Yuva Vedike under the leadership of Praveen M Poojary, was welcomed by members of different religious communities during its journey.
Muslim community welcomes procession at Kaup
The procession received a cordial welcome in front of the Kaup mosque, where members of the Muslim community gathered to greet the participants.
The community was led by Udupi District Congress Minority Unit President Sharfuddin Sheikh. Cold drinks and sweets were distributed among those taking part in the procession.
The welcome was seen as a gesture of communal harmony and mutual respect on the occasion of Narayana Guru’s birth anniversary.
Participants and members of the local community also paid floral tributes to the idol of Narayana Guru as part of the programme.
Christian community extends welcome at Mulur
The procession later reached Mulur, where members of the Christian community welcomed the participants and distributed cold drinks.
The gesture further added an interfaith dimension to the programme, with members of different communities coming together to receive the procession.
The Vati of Uchila Sri Mahalakshmi Temple also provided cold drinks to the participants.
Floral tributes were offered to the idol of Narayana Guru during the programme, with participants paying their respects to the social reformer and spiritual leader.
Leaders attend the programme
Several prominent personalities were present during the programme, including former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, Coastal Development Board Chairman M A Ghafoor, Udupi District Congress Minority Unit President Sharfuddin Sheikh and Christian Development Corporation Director Prashant Jattana.
Members of the Board of Directors of Uchila Sri Mahalakshmi Temple also participated in the programme.
The participation of representatives from different communities highlighted the message of social unity and harmony associated with the occasion.
Jatha proceeds towards Hejamady
The Guru Sandesh Samadhi Jatha was organised as part of the celebrations marking the 172nd birth anniversary of Brahmashri Narayana Guru.
Beginning in Udupi, the procession proceeded towards Hejamady, with people from different communities extending hospitality to the participants along the route.
The distribution of refreshments and the floral tributes offered during the journey formed part of the commemorative programme.
Narayana Guru is widely remembered for his emphasis on social equality, education, human dignity and harmony. The interfaith participation during the procession added significance to the celebrations, bringing together members of Hindu, Muslim and Christian communities.
The warm reception at Kaup and Mulur demonstrated how religious and social occasions can also provide opportunities for communities to come together and strengthen bonds of mutual respect.