Sree Narayana Guru jayanthi celebrated across Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 158th birth anniversary of saint-reformer Sree Narayana Guru, who deeply influenced the modern history and culture of Kerala through his central sloga slogan "one caste, one religion and one God for man", was celebrated across the state on Friday.

While inaugurating the Jayanthi Maha Sammelanam (conferences) at Chempazhanty Gurukula, Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said that the world is worshipping the philosophy of Guru which blends spirituality with materiality.

Thousands of devotees, bearing the yellow flags, lined up for the Jayanthi processions in major towns all through the state, organised to mark the occasion, also known as "Chathaya dinam", referring to the star under which the Guru was born.

Community prayers and feasts were held at Chemapzhanthy Gurukulam, hallowed by the birth of the saint, the forerunner of the social reform movement of Kerala in the 20th century.

Devotees in large numbers gathered at Sivagiri Mutt at nearby Varkala, where the Guru spent his last days.

Sree Narayana Dharma Pariplana Yogam, the socio-cultural outfit of the Ezhava community, organized processions and public meetings in most places.

Former minister O. Rajagopal, A. Sampath MP, Adv. M.A. Waheed, Palayam Imam Maulavi Jamaludeen Mankada, Pastors’ Welfare Board Convener Rev. Dr. Jyothi Isaac, SN Trust Assistant Secretary Kilimanoor Chandrababu, former MLA T. Sarathchandra Prasad, Vellanad Surendran, Ambalathara M.K. Rajan, Councillor K.S. Sheela, Alamcode Surendran, Dr. K.L. Vivekanandan, Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran, Swami Sudhanada and Swami Aroopananda attended the function at Chempazhanthy.