Udupi: The Udupi district-level Brahmashree Narayana Guru Jayanthi – 2025 was celebrated with grandeur on September 7 at the Manipura Brahmashree Narayana Guru Dharma Paripalana Sangha Auditorium. The programme was organised by Brahmashree Narayana Guru Dharma Paripala (BSNDP) Udupi district in association with the Udupi District Administration, Zilla Panchayat, Department of Kannada and Culture, and the Manipura Sangha.

Call to follow Guru’s ideals

Inaugurating the celebrations by lighting the ceremonial lamp, Kaup MLA Gurme Suresh Shetty said that society must strive to follow the ideals of Brahmashree Narayana Guru, whom he described as a true builder of equality.
“Guru was a reformer who broke down barriers of caste, religion, and sect. He gave voice to the oppressed and infused power and self-respect in people’s lives. His ideals remain eternally memorable,” he said.

Offering floral tributes and presiding over the event, Deputy Commissioner Swaroopa T K emphasised Guru’s guiding principle of “One Caste, One Religion, One God”. She said Guru Jayanthi created a festive spirit and urged people to adopt his values in their daily lives.

Dignitaries and cultural sessions

The programme was attended by several dignitaries, including:

  • Former MLA Lalaji R Mendon

  • Udupi Urban Development Authority president Dinakar Heruru

  • Udupi District Guarantee Schemes Implementation Committee president Ashok Kumar Kodavoor

    • District Yuvavahini president and cultural thinker Dayananda Karkera Uggelabettu delivered a lecture highlighting Guru’s contributions to social reform, education, and spiritual upliftment.

    Felicitations and prizes

    On the occasion, prizes were distributed to winners of competitions organised by the Education Department.
    Special honours were also extended to Vidhushi Deeksha V, who achieved recognition in the Golden Book of World Records for completing 216 hours of Bharatanatyam performance.

    Youth participation and rally

    The Youth Billava Moodubelle Committee organised a bike rally from Moodubelle to the Manipura auditorium, adding vibrancy to the celebrations.

    Organisers and guests

    The event featured a large gathering of community leaders, including Manipura Grama Panchayat president Chaitra, Udupi City Municipal Council president Prabhakar Poojary, Zilla Panchayat deputy secretary S S Kudroli, Manipura Sangha president Nataraj Poojary, BSNDP district president Sridhar Amin, BSNDP state women’s unit treasurer Amrutha U Poojary, and several others.

    Assistant Director of Kannada and Culture Department, Poornima, welcomed the gathering, while Chandrashekar Salyan proposed the vote of thanks. The programme was compered by research scholar Mahesh Malpe.

    Conclusion

    The district-level Guru Jayanthi celebration in Udupi was marked by tributes, cultural programmes, and calls to embrace the timeless message of equality, unity, and spirituality preached by Brahmashree Narayana Guru.