Gurus birthplace to be global pilgrim centre

KOCHI: Union Minister of State for Power K C Venugopal has said the birthplace of Karunakara Guru at Chandiroor, near Cherthala, would soon become a global pilgrim centre.     He was inaugurating ‘Navapoojitham’, the 85th birth anniversary celebrations of Karunakara Guru, at Santhigiri Ashram at Chandiroor on Sunday.  “Karunakara Guru is a great teacher who taught the world that spirituality is above religion. He showed the world the real meaning of the word ‘Guru’ by guiding common man through the path of love and brotherhood,” Venugopal said.He expressed hope that Santhigiri would lead the youth to a better direction.A M Arif MLA presided over the function.  KPCC general secretary A K Abdul Gafoor Haji,  Aroor panchayat president S K Chandrababu, vice-president Nicy Lawrence, members Noushad Kunnel, Jameela Siyad, Rashida Mohammed, Santhigiri Ashramam Advisory Committee senior convenor V P Rajeev  were present.  Ashram joint secretary Swami Gurumithra Jnana Thapaswi and Viswa Samskarika Navothan Kendram district committee convenor V Ajith Kumar spoke.The birth anniversary will be celebrated on September 2 in Thiruvananthapuram. Youth Welfare Minister P K Jayalakshmi will release the souvenir.  The celebration will come to an end with Poornakumbhamela on September 20.