Udupi: Udupi Zilla Nagarika Samithi, Catholic Sabha and the Inter Religious dialogue Committee of Udupi Diocese together organized Sarva Dharma Deepavali celebrations at Our Lady of Sorrows Church Campus on Monday October 27.
Nithyananda Volakadu, President Nagarika Samithi installed a 26 ft. high and 10 ft. wide festival lamp “Gududeepa”, that weighed around 250 kg. The lantern was designed and fabricated by Keshav Acharya and his group.
Colourful Rangolis, made by Mahesh Sutar at the church premises also attracted many.
The Sarva Dharma deepavali celebrations were inaugurated by Shri Laxmivarathirtha Swamiji of Shiroor Mutt along with Bishop of Udupi Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo and Maulana Imran Ullah Khan Mansoori Imam of Jamia Mosque Malpe.
During his inaugural address, Shri Laxmivarathirtha Swamiji said, “Deepavali is a festival of lights and togetherness. It’s the festival of unity without any caste and religious differentiations”.
Maulana Imran Ullah Khan said “a lamp spreads light equally to everyone, so we must also love everyone equally. All religions teach us to be united”, he added.
Bishop of Udupi Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo during his presiding address said, “let us become light of love and prosperity”. “Deepavali celebrations in such a way will instigate to spread peace and love in the society”, he asserted.
Udupi Diocese Vicar General, Msgr. Fr. Baptist Menezes, Rev Fr. John Mendonca, Catholic Sabha Udupi Unit President Leslie Cornelio, Souharda Committee convener Alphonse D’Costa, Budan Basha, Rev Fr. Clement Mascarenhas and others were present for the occasion.
