THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Vice-President Hamid Ansari on Wednesday inaugurated the centenary celebrations of ‘Darsanamala’ penned by Sree Narayana Guru, and Kumaran Asan’s ‘Gurusthavam’ at the Sivagiri Mutt, Varkala, near here, on Wednesday.
Ansari, during his brief visit to the mutt, also launched the centenary celebration of Guru’s proclamation
“I have no caste or religion” and the new block of the Sivagiri Sree Narayana Senior Secondary School. Excise Minister K Babu, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob and Varkala Kahar were also present.After unveiling the plaque announcing the centenary celebrations, Ansari interacted with Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham Trust president Swami Prakasananda, trust general secretary Rhithambharananda and treasurer Swami Parananda.Ansari paid tributes at the Sarada Mutt and opened the renovated stone steps from Sarada Mutt to the Samadhi Mandiram.Earlier, the Vice-President, on his landing at the Varkala helipad, was received by Swami Dharmavrutha, Swami Sankarananda and Dr M Jayaraj. The reception at Gurudeva Samadhi was led by Swami Prakasananda, Rhithambharananda, Swami Parananda, Guru Dharma Pracharana Sabha secretary Swami Guruprasad, Swami Sandrananda and Swami Visalananda.
The Vice-President planted an ilanji sapling on the mutt premises before ending his visit which lasted around 30 minutes.