Gandhi-Gurudeva meeting; centenary celebrations to be held in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Swami Satchidananda, President of Sivagiri Dharma Sangham Trust, said that the 100th anniversary celebrations of Gandhi's visit to Sivagiri and his meeting with Gurudeva will begin next year with a large gathering in Delhi. Swami was speaking at Satchidananda Foundation's eighth anniversary function in Delhi.

Gandhiji reached the Sivagiri Ashram on March 12, 1925. A year-long program will be organized to celebrate the Gandhi-Gurudeva meeting. The desire is to organize an elaborate program in Delhi like the Parliament of the World's Religions. The matter was discussed with the Sannyasis of Sivagiri. Swami Satchidananda requested the help of all Sri Narayaniya organizations for the success of the event.

It was with the help of Mar George Jacob Koovakad, who was ordained as a cardinal, that it was possible to hold an interfaith conference in the Vatican with the participation of the Pope. The interfaith conference became a platform to inform the world about Gurudeva's purpose of incarnation. Even the body check was avoided for those who participated in the program including myself. There was also a chance to shake hands with the Pope. Swami Satchidananda pointed out that the reason for all this was Gurudeva's ideals of universal brotherhood. Swami's 67th birthday was also celebrated on the occasion.