Media Release

Mangaluru, Aug 12: The Centre for Inter-Religious Harmony (CIRH) of St Aloysius PU College organised an inter-faith visit taking students on a journey across four places of worship and offering them an opportunity to learn about different religious traditions through direct engagement, observation and reflection.

The visit began at the St Joseph Vaz Shrine, Mudipu, where the students learnt about the history and spiritual significance of the shrine. They were also introduced to the miracle associated with the shrine and its importance as a place of faith and pilgrimage.

The group then visited the Mudipu Shri Krishna Dhyana Mandir, where the serene surroundings offered students an opportunity for meditation and reflection. The visit helped them gain a deeper appreciation of Hindu spiritual practices and traditions.

At the Shri Somanatha Swamy Temple, the priest and temple in-charge welcomed the students and spoke about the history of the temple, its rich heritage, religious practices and significance to the local community. The students interacted with them and gained insights into the traditions associated with the temple. Lunch was served to the participants following the visit.

The final destination was the Ullal Syed Madani Dargah, where the students learnt about its history and significance and were introduced to various aspects of Islamic traditions and practices.

For the students, the programme was more than a visit to places of worship. It was an opportunity to meet people of different faiths, listen to their perspectives, ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of traditions that may be different from their own.

The programme reflected the Jesuit educational emphasis on discernment, respect for diversity, Cura Personalis, and becoming men and women for and with others. Through direct engagement with different faith communities, CIRH sought to nurture openness, empathy, mutual respect and responsible citizenship among the students.

The inter-faith visit conveyed a simple yet significant message: harmony grows when people take the time to meet, listen, understand and respect one another. For the students, the experience offered not merely an understanding of different religions, but also an opportunity to discover the values of dialogue, coexistence and shared humanity.