Thiruvananathapuram:
Karnataka Government will provide land for Kerala-based Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham Trust in Bangalore to open a centre of Sivagiri Mutt founded by saint-reformer Sree Narayana Guru.
This was stated by Karnataka Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda while inaugurating the valedictory session of the 79th annual pilgrimage at Sivagiri Mutt at Varkala, about 40 km from here last evening
The Guru's central message of "one caste, one religion and one God for man" was of greater relevance in modern times on account of its emphasis on social harmony and peace, he said.
The Guru's life and teachings had played a vital role in empowering marginalised sections in the society and they would continue to inspire future generations, he said. Gowda said Karnataka Government would support pilgrim centres and special allocation would be made for this in the budget.
Union Minister of State for Power, K C Venugopal, who presided, said, the Sivagiri pilgrimage was in essence an annual spiritual experience.
Sree Narayana Guru, who started the pilgrimage on the dawn of the New Year 79 years ago, was the trail blazer of social reforms which had no parallel in the country, Venugopal said.