Sivagiri pilgrimage season to begin on Sunday

SIVAGIRI: After the recognition of the greatness of Sree Narayana Guru's teachings at the Vatican, the pilgrimage season leading up to the 92nd Sivagiri Pilgrimage will begin on Sunday. Devotees from all over the world will flow towards Sivagiri to seek spiritual salvation by paying respects to the Mahasamadhi and Sarada Mutt.

The pilgrimage season will last until December 29. The Sivagiri Pilgrimage Mahamaham will be held on December 30, 31, and January 1. The Sivagiri Mutt has invited Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar to the pilgrimage conference. Minister Kadanappally Ramachandran will inaugurate the pilgrimage season at 10 AM tomorrow. Dharma Sangham Trust president Swami Satchidananda will preside over the event. General Secretary Swami Shubhangananda, Treasurer Swami Sharadananda, and Board Member Swami Sukshmananda will give blessing speeches. Swami Veereshwarananda, Joint Secretary of the Guru Dharma Propagation Sabha, will honour the representatives who participated in the World Parliament of Religions at the Vatican.

Swami Satchidananda stated that the pilgrimage season emphasizes the propagation of Gurudeva's teachings. Beyond the traditional belief of removing sins and acquiring virtues, Gurudeva viewed the pilgrimage as a means of acquiring knowledge. Along with gaining virtue, one also needs the knowledge required for the preservation of life. The essence of the pilgrimage, as suggested by the Guru, was to acquire both physical and spiritual knowledge.

Swami Shubhangananda said that union ministers and state ministers, including the Chief Minister, will attend the conference. Swami Rithambharananda is the secretary of the pilgrimage committee, while Swami Sharadananda is the treasurer. The pilgrimage committee's joint secretary, Swami Virajanandgiri, and Swami Asanganandgiri, secretary of the Guru Dharma Pracharana Sabha, will also lead the events.

Local holiday on Dec 31
The District Collector has declared a local holiday for the Chirayinkeezhu and Varkala taluks on December 31, the main day of the 92nd Sivagiri Pilgrimage. All educational institutions and state government offices within the taluk limits will remain closed. However, the holiday will not apply to previously scheduled public examinations.