News and Pics by Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mumbai (RD/CN)

Mumbai, Sep 5: Brahmashree Guru Narayan Jayanti was celebrated with religious and cultural programmes by metro-based Billavar Association at Billava Bhavan auditorium, Santa Cruz (East), here on Friday September 4.

Sri Mohandas Paramahamsa Swami of Manila Math in Bantwal, and temple priest K Sadashiv Shanti offered ‘puja’ on the occasion.

Sri Mohandas Swami, in his message to the gathering, said that he was agonized when he realized that there existed bias in the Manila Math among Billava and Dalit communities over the worship at Sri Mahalaxmi Temple.  He said that he worked to alleviate such practices for he firmly believed that all humans are one in the eyes of God. 

“Guru Narayan was a great visionary whose principles are well regarded by the Billava community.  The rising terrorism in the country is a result of politics based on caste and religion, which can be curbed with spiritual awakening”, added Swami Mohandas.

Billavar Association honorary president Y Nagesh, vice-president Nityanand D Kotian, honorary chief secretary Jyoti K Suvarna, honorary chief treasurer Uday S Salian, social–religious sub-committee president C T Salian, puja committee secretary Dharmapal G Anchan, and women’s wing president Jayanti V Ullal were present on the dais. 

Congress leader Shankar K Suvarna, Billava Jagrati Balaga honorary chief secretary Harish G Poojary, and K M Kotian were also present.  Temple priest K Sadashiv Shanti performed various rituals on the occasion.