Pics: Joshwa D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Jan 3: Mangaluru City Corporation and Paura Sammana Samiti on Sunday January 3 honoured Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji of Pejawar Math, who will ascend the Paryaya Peetha in Udupi for the fifth time on January 18, and his junior Vishwaprasannateertha Swamiji in a cermony held at Town Hall here.
Prior to the felicitation, a puja was performed at Sharavu Temple and the Swamiji and his junior were brought in a procession from the temple to the venue. Among those present was speaker of D H Shankaramurthy.
Thereafter, MCC commissioner Dr H S Gopalkrishna, deputy mayor Purushottham Chitrapur, corporator Shashidhar Hegde, Pradeep Kalkura of Kalkura Foundation and M B Puranik honoured both Pejawar Swamiji and his disciple.
Addressing the gathering, Pejawar Swamiji said, "People have prayed for the success of the Paryaya and this has boosted our enthusiasm. We should help the needy more, and increased our devotion, knowledge and service. Serving the suppressed classes is the need of the times. We should take this as a pledge. We can feel God when we are sincere in service. We can then see God in the hearts of the people - one who sees God in others is the real devotee. Our mission should be to help the downtrodden.
"People want me to ascend the Paryaya for the sixth time also, but I want to see my junior ascend the Peetha when the turn comes again," he added.
His junior Sri Vishwaprasanna Swamiji said, "We welcome the honour that you (organizers) have offered to our guru. God is in the hearts of the people. When we sincerely fulfill the task we are assigned, we can see God. That is complete devotion."
Swami Jitakananda of Ramakrishna Mission said, "I have known Pejawar Swamiji for the past 35 years. He has worked immensely for social progress. He is a great saint. Spiritual development happens when you consider each soul as divine, only then can you see God in people. This is also the solution to world's problems."
Minister for youth affairs and sports Abhaychandra Jain said, "This is a special occasion. Pejawar Swamiji has toured the entire country and responded to the problems of the people and won their hearts. We are grateful to him."
Deputy mayor Purushottam Chitrapur also spoke on the occasion. Pradeep Kumar Kalkura delievered the keynote address.
MLAs J R Lobo and Mohiuddin Bava, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLC Ivan D'Souza, priest of KateelDurgaparameshwari Temple Vasudeva Asranna and others were present.