Narayana Guru–Gandhi dialogue centenary, interfaith conference on December 3

Narayana Guru–Gandhi dialogue centenary, interfaith conference on December 3

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Dec 2, 2025: As part of the centenary celebrations marking the historic dialogue between Brahmashree Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi, a Sarva Dharma Sammelana (Interfaith Conference) commemorating the Maha Samadhi Centenary of Sri Narayana Guru will be held on December 3 at Mangalagangothri, Mangalore University, Konaje. The event will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, welcome committee chairperson B.K. Hariprasad announced at a press conference.

Organised jointly by the Sivagiri Mutt, Varkala, and the Sri Narayana Guru Study Chair of Mangalore University, the inaugural ceremony will begin at 9.30 am. Brahmashree Sachidananda Swami, head of Sivagiri Mutt, will deliver the benediction. Karnataka Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader will preside over the function.

K.C. Venugopal, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of the Lok Sabha, will deliver the keynote address on the message of the historic Narayana Guru–Gandhi meeting. Swami Shubhangananda, Secretary of Sivagiri Mutt, will speak on the Maha Samadhi message.

Other dignitaries attending include Swami Sharadananda, Swami Ritambharananda, Swami Asangananda Giri, and Swami Jitakamananda of Ramakrishna Mutt, Mangaluru.

Former Union Minister B. Janardhana Poojary, Ministers Dr. G. Parameshwara, Satish Jarkiholi, Zameer Ahmed Khan, Dinesh Gundu Rao, Lakshmi Hebbalkar, Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor Prof. P.L. Dharma, MPs Kot Srinivas Poojary, Capt. Brijesh Chowta, and former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake will participate as guests of honour.

Special guests will include Panakkad Munavvar Ali Thangal, Mangalore Bishop Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, Belthangady Bishop James Patheryil, Brahmakumari Veena Behnji, Gokulam Group Chairman Gokulam Gopalan, KG Babu Raj (Bahrain), Rajadhani Group Chairman Dr. Biju Ramesh, Medimix Chairman A.V. Anoop, former Kerala DGP T.P. Senkumar, MLAs V. Sunil Kumar, Umanath A. Kotian, and Konaje Gram Panchayat President Geetha D. Kundar.

Sarva Dharma Sammelana

An interfaith conference will be held the same day from 2 pm to 4 pm. Renowned cultural thinker Ganesh Devy will inaugurate the session. Under the chairmanship of MLC B.K. Hariprasad, Swami Ritambharananda of Sivagiri Mutt will deliver the interfaith message.

Non-political Event

Hariprasad emphasised that the centenary celebration aims to promote human fraternity, religious tolerance, and the values of truth and non-violence. It intends to bring renewed awareness of Narayana Guru’s teachings and philosophy in the present context.

Present at the press meet were welcome committee general convener P.V. Mohan, honorary vice-presidents Jayraj Soma Sundaram, Naveenchandra D. Suvarna, Manjunath Poojary, and honorary general secretaries Padmaraj R. and Satyajit Suratkal.