172nd Sree Narayana Guru Jayanti: Chempazhanthy, Sivagiri host grand celebrations

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 172nd Jayanti of Sree Narayana Guru, revered as a spiritual leader and sage, is being celebrated by devotees across the world on Friday. Elaborate programmes have been organised at Chempazhanthy Gurukulam, where Vayalvaram House, the birthplace of the Guru, is located, and at Sivagiri, his Mahasamadhi site.

At Chempazhanthy Gurukulam, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan will inaugurate the Thirujayanti Mahasammelanam at 6.30 pm. MLA V. Muraleedharan will preside. Sree Narayana Dharma Sanghom Trust president Swami Sachidananda will deliver the Jayanti message, while trust board member Swami Sukshmananda will deliver the benediction address. MP Shashi Tharoor and MLA K.U. Jenish Kumar will also speak. Trust general secretary Swami Shubhanganda will deliver the welcome address.

The Sree Narayana Philosophical Conference will be inaugurated by Minister Bindukrishna at 10 am. Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Mayor V.V. Rajesh will preside. Former trust general secretary Swami Rithambarananda and Sree Narayana Guru Viswa Samskarabhavan secretary Swami Shankarananda will deliver benediction addresses.

The Thirujayanti procession, which will begin from the gurukulam at 3 pm, will be flagged off by Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Deputy Mayor Ashanath G.S.
At Sivagiri Mutt, the Thirujayanti conference will be inaugurated by Assembly Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan at 9.30 am. Swami Sachidananda will preside. Swami Shubhanganda, Swami Sharadananda, MP Adoor Prakash, MLA V. Joy and Varkala municipal chairperson Geetha Hemachandran will attend.

The Sree Narayana Dharma discussion conference will be inaugurated by Minister M. Liju at 11.30 am, with Swami Sachidananda presiding. Swami Shubhanganda, Swami Sharadananda, Swami Ambikananda and MLA B.B. Gopakumar will speak.

A colourful procession will leave Sivagiri at 5 pm. The procession will feature a Guru Deva rickshaw accompanied by panchavadyam, ornate parasols, a decorated chariot carrying an idol of the Guru, shinkari melam, traditional art forms and tableaux based on the teachings and vision of Sree Narayana Guru.