The 17th all-India saints’ and religious preachers’ conference began on Monday in Belabana Mutt on the bank of the Devi river near Alipingala village, six km from here. The mega spiritual meet will continue till February 5.
Hundreds attended the inaugural function, including seers, scholars, and religious thinkers across the country. A rally was taken out from Alipingala village near the sub-jail to the Belabana Mutt where local villagers, women and Hindu believers participated. Mahanta Santhashree Ramabhisek Das Maharaj greeted everybody; later a religious discourse began at the mutt premises.
Speaking on the occasion, the saints called upon people to respect all religions, practicing love, and promoting unity and peace to build a harmonious world. “Our nation is home to many religions. All religions preach the goodness of truth and moral living, besides love and compassion, and we should respect all religions in the same manner as we respect our religion,” they said.Mahanta Das Maharaj recited verses from the holy book of Gita and said the Hindu religion preaches love, tolerance, non-violence and forgiveness; so, people should follow the philosophy of the Hindu cult.
Mahanta Kasi Das Maharaj, Mahanta Sitaram Dasji Maharaj from Mumbai, Shree Madhabachrji from Maladi, Santha Govinda Dasji from Ajodhya, Mahanta Jagdish from Gujarat, Harinarayan Das from Uttar Pradesh, Mahanta Haridas from Madhya Pradesh and Mahanta Ramakrishna Das among others were present.