THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After fasting for 41 days, Anglican priest Father Dr Manoj will ascend Sabarimala. He intends to follow all the rituals before starting his spiritual journey. On the 20th after the fast is completed, the ritual will held at the Thirumala Mahadeva temple.

Father Manoj (50) who is a native of Thiruvananthapuram, Balaramapuram Uchakkada, is learning about the Hindu religion and customs. He says that there is no need to leave one's religion to learn about other religions.

Not wanting to stay in one place, Fr. Manoj has not taken charge of any church. He aims to teach young people how to use spirituality in their lives. Father Manoj's journey is not one of leaving the priesthood or religion. A permanent resident of Bengaluru, Fr. Manoj has been a software engineer for 27 years. His wife Jolly Jose is a housewife. The daughter is Ann Irene Joslett, a graduate student.

Fr. Manoj said that the 'Tatvamasi' philosophy brought him closer to Ayyappan. ''God is one. Only religions see God in different ways. All religions say one thing. God cannot be confined to the fence of religion. There is a problem in the world that can be solved if everyone realizes this. There is no need to leave one's religion to know other religions. All religions aim at human good" -Fr. Manoj.