Key Takeaways:
- Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the 93rd Sivagiri pilgrimage, highlighting India’s unity across faiths and the social teachings of Sree Narayana Guru.
- The pilgrimage drew thousands to Sivagiri, with strict security and large-scale participation from across the state and beyond.
- Shashi Tharoor launched a new book on Sree Narayana Guru and the event included awards recognising charitable work.
The 93rd Sivagiri pilgrimage opened on Tuesday morning with a large gathering at Sivagiri near Varkala, Kerala, where the Vice President of India, C.P. Radhakrishnan, raised the dharma flag to mark the start of the annual festival. The ceremony drew thousands of devotees from across the state and beyond, and organisers described the event as a celebration of unity among all faiths and communities.
93rd Sivagiri pilgrimage draws huge crowds to Varkala
Early on the day of the inauguration the dharma flag was hoisted at the designated flagstaff near the pilgrimage city by Swami Sachidananda, president of the Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham Trust, accompanied by senior members of the trust and the pilgrimage committee. Devotees, many dressed in traditional white, witnessed the ritual amid the resonant chanting of Sree Narayana mantras.
In his address, Vice President Radhakrishnan praised the teachings of Sree Narayana Guru and urged pilgrims and organisers to keep those principles alive. He said the guru’s reformist mission was not limited to ritual and tradition but emphasised education, cleanliness, organisation, work skills and self-respect. The Vice President called those values central to strengthening India’s social fabric and described unity across beliefs as a national strength.
Security was stepped up in and around Sivagiri for the inauguration. While the Vice President arrived initially by helicopter, he later travelled to the pilgrimage site by road under tight security arrangements. Trust members and sannyasis welcomed him at the samadhi mandap and led him through the traditional rites and offerings.
The pilgrimage season had already begun two weeks earlier, and organisers said December 15 saw the first significant surge of devotees. On the opening day the main prayer halls, the Sharada Math and the Guru Sabhami Mandapam, were filled with worshippers who received prasadam before proceeding to the conference pavilions where sermons and public functions took place.
A notable feature of the opening was the launch of a new book on Sree Narayana Guru by Congress MP and author Dr Shashi Tharoor. Titled The Life, Lessons and Legacy of Sree Narayana Guru, the volume was presented during the inaugural session. The Vice President handed the book to Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar as part of the launch proceedings. The trust president praised Dr Tharoor for producing the work quickly and for its insight into the guru’s life and reforming work.
Alongside religious observances the pilgrimage also recognised charitable efforts. The Sivagiri awards for exemplary social service included an award presented to Dr M.S. Faisal Khan, MD of NIMS Mediscity, for outstanding contributions to public welfare. Food distribution and community kitchens served thousands who attended the events, continuing the guru’s emphasis on feeding and serving the needy.
Organisers stressed that the celebration of Sivagiri remains rooted in Sree Narayana Guru’s mission of social transformation and equality. They urged devotees to reflect on the guru’s message of harmonious coexistence and practical self-improvement. With a packed schedule of satsangs, commemorations and community activities planned throughout the pilgrimage season, Sivagiri is set to host large crowds for the days ahead while maintaining order and respect for tradition.
