Karkala: Christian devotee undertakes 18th pilgrimage to Sabarimala


Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (MS)

Karkala, Dec 12: Ajit Serrao, a Christian by faith and a resident of Sankalakariya Gokulanagara in Belman, is embarking on his 18th pilgrimage to Sabarimala this year.

Ajit, an electrician by profession, is one of the twin sons of the late William Serrao and Dulcin Serrao. Inspired by a Guruswamy from Polali 18 years ago, he began his pilgrimage to the Sabarimala shrine and has continued this tradition without fail, even during the Covid-19 pandemic. Over the past 17 years, Ajit has undertaken the arduous journey through thick forests, known to be frequented by wild animals, on five occasions. He missed the pilgrimage only once, the year his father passed away.

Ajit shared, “My family, neighbours, and people from all religions support my pilgrimage to Sabarimala every year. I have immense faith in Lord Ayyappa. Wearing the garland (Maale) helps me practice penance and lead a vice-free life.”

This year, Ajit will have the darshan of Lord Ayyappa on the auspicious day of Makara Jyoti.

 

 

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • Roshan DSouza, Mangalore

    Mon, Dec 16 2024

    Maybe he found some goodness there that he couldn't find here

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Charles Saldanha, Mumbai

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    All his 17 pilgrimage went unreported and 18th is under discussion. There has been supporters and non supporters for what he did. It would be wise to leave the same as his personal choice.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Agnes, Mangalore

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    Well it's his personal choice. But seems to me a rather confused person.

    DisAgree [12] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • CHRISTINE, mangalore

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    Why here it is mentioned Christian devotee. If he is a Christian then no need to go to other religious places. Jesus will give everything if he asks Jesus. Jesus fulfills our desires. He know s what is best for us. He cares us loves us. If he born and bought up in christian family he would have been worshipped Jesus not Ayyappa.

    DisAgree [14] Agree [39] Reply Report Abuse

  • Flavian, Mangalore/Kuwait

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    My question is whether or not such act would have been tolerated by the majorities if at all the person is from any another minority community? 🤔

    DisAgree [9] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • ullas, Manjeshwara

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    For you may be this new thing, But in Mangalore this is not a big thing. I have seen lot of devotees from Catholic community taking pilgrimage to Shabarimala. i have friends in hindu community who are fasting 40 days during black day. These are silly things for the news.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • robert pinto, karkala

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    you are not even from mangalore or dk as per your address mentioned. this must be your own creation. I have never seen any catholic going to pilgrimage of shabarimala. dont create stories. that too in these days where prayer life has gone to heights in catholic community your statement is a utter lie

    DisAgree [14] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rudolf Rodrigues, Mumbai-Mangalauru

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    @robert; I fo know a few Catholics conducting this ritual for many years now for reasons well known to them!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [13] Report Abuse

  • Agnes N, Mangalore

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    This guys is nof the first Catholic going to Shabrimala NOR is he the last . Even here in the US many Indian Catholics pracitice Hinduism. Moreover some A list Hollywood celebrities too are in the band wagon endorsing the same. Julia Roberts, Miely Cyrus , Will Smith, and many more follow Hinduism. Stallone has even performed a Shradh or somethin in India for his decesed son.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [11] Report Abuse

  • John Tauro, M'lore

    Sat, Dec 14 2024

    If one's faith in God and devotion are strong, he need not go anywhere (to show off), be it Sabarimala or Pottam or Velankanni.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Daniel, Mangalore

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    For christians is there a need to see another light when Sun is there for almost 12 hours a day and Blessed Sacrament available 24 hours a day, online or offline ? 365 days holiness is required, not only during lent and Holy Scripture says..."I Am the Light of the World" - John 8:12 verse says Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

    DisAgree [8] Agree [28] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rudolf Rodrigues, Mumbai-Manglore

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    What big feat it is? Like that if you see there are so many people who go to religious places of other religions (temple, church, dargah) to pay obeisance due to their immense faith in that particular place!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Fathima A.H, Mangalore

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    In fact they have prominent members in RSS and even BJP minority morcha as well. So not surprising. Right to follow religion is Constitutional.

    DisAgree [8] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sandesh, Uppala

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    Most muslims and Christians in India were Hindus once upon a time. So this news doesn't surprise me at all. May Ayyappa fulfill all his wishes

    DisAgree [23] Agree [29] Reply Report Abuse

  • Willie Menda, Bangalore

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    No. Only their ancestors

    DisAgree [13] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • robert pinto, karkala

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    absolutely wrong..though we live in India the whole mankind is the geneology of adam and eve...so definitely we are children of our great Ancestors like Abraham, David and not anyone else...you must have got this information wrong double check

    DisAgree [23] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Anil, MP

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    @ Sandesh, Thank God.... Now they are not.... Otherwise who will eat and drink cowdung & urine like brainless creatures..????

    DisAgree [15] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sunil, Mangalore

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    To clarify what you are trying to say is correct , but this is a 400 year old story when Konkani Christians originally with Hindu Bramhans ancestors landed in Mangalore. So most of the Konkani speaking Catholics have this ancestry and its true

    DisAgree [2] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • John Tauro, M'lore

    Sat, Dec 14 2024

    All Konkani speaking Christians and Hindus in Mangalore and Udupi are originally from Goa. All were Hindus before the arrival of the Portuguese. Konkani Catholics were converted by the Portuguese.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Willie Menda, Bangalore

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    Our constitution has given us the freedom .........

    DisAgree Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • Stanley . R.F., Mangalore

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    Its ones constitutional right. We have even leaders visiting Shabarimala . In fact Mr, Moidueen Bava too visits Shabarimala every year.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sunilla Shetty, Mangalore

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    Right to religion is ones fundamental right . No one can question that. Moreover, there is nothing wrong in following the religion of ones forefathers.

    DisAgree [8] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rudolf Rodrigues, Mumbai-Mangalauru

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    What big feat it is, going to some religious place out of his own birth religion?

    DisAgree [7] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Flavian, Mangalore/Kuwait

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    Such guys are week faithed or simply confused. Some believe in miracles/favours/salvation after death. First of all, no one has ever collected any proof as to our final destination. Heaven or Hell. We believe only in good deeds and prayers with God to save our Soul. My own wife after 40 years of marriage went after New faith (believers) due to some influence of outsiders. Finally passed away during Covid and had to be simply dumped the dead boy in Plastic sheet. Hardly got a priest and one good friend to complete formalities. I served her food/medicines/ checking BP, blood sugar up to toilet needs. God saved me . (my faith in Christianity) I still work. ((no ailments or chronic health issues)

    DisAgree [24] Agree [48] Reply Report Abuse

  • william, Mangalore

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    Praise God Almighty

    DisAgree [3] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • robert pinto, karkala

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    i think this guy did not learn catechism properly in church. also sometimes people adopt to this kind of things due to the friends or colleagues. the practices which this young man is doing is definitely not according to the Bible. however, it is his wish and will. if he feels comfortable so be it.

    DisAgree [23] Agree [62] Reply Report Abuse

  • real kujuma, kodial

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    luckily this person belongs to Christianity...if he was hindu and he went to some Christian pilgrimage like velankanni or Potta every year or Ullal Uroos...then the bajrangis would have cried conversion etc...but Christians will not raise any hue and cry...

    DisAgree [33] Agree [78] Reply Report Abuse

  • Marol, Udupi

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    No need to convert from one religion to another; but convert from BAD TO GOOD. Each one must practice one's religion properly. The core of every religion is BEING GOOD. Thank you and God bless each and every one of us.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • Marol, Udupi

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    Thu Hindu banega, na Musalman banega, na Christian banega. Insafki aulad hai thu INSAN BANEGA. Thank you and God bless each and every one of us.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse

  • SMJ, Mangalore

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    Proper statement for the mankind

    DisAgree [4] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Avi, Mangalore

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    "Thank you and God bless each and every one of us". "Hindu banega, na Musalman banega, na Christian banega", tho kaunsa God will bless each and every one of us?

    DisAgree [4] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Marol, Udupi

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    Insaniyat ka God, who is DIVINE, will surely bless each and every one of us. Thank you and God bless each and every one of us.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossy Tauro, Mangalore

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    Its his personnel life and his wish to follow any religion or faith in God.But he must choose one cannot serve two Gods

    DisAgree [24] Agree [49] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dev, Mangalore

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    Yes one cannot travel one foot in one boat and another in other boat at the same time. It will go to two directions and that the person will drown.

    DisAgree [14] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • Anil, Mangalore

    Thu, Dec 12 2024

    You need to tie both the boats together side by side strongly, then you can travel one foot in one boat and another in other boat at the same time. It might be a little difficult but you will survive with out drowning.

    DisAgree [1] Agree Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Karkala: Christian devotee undertakes 18th pilgrimage to Sabarimala



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