Sankranti Celebration Brings Religions Together in Srirangapatna, Karnataka

Mysore, Karnataka, January 18, 2026: Sankranti celebration, marked by the lighting of one lakh lamps, united people from different faiths and backgrounds at the revered Ranganatha Swamy Temple on January 15, highlighting a powerful message of unity and gratitude.

Held in Srirangapatna, the event, known as Lakshadeep, coincided with the harvest festival and drew thousands of devotees. Participants gathered to light carefully arranged oil lamps across the temple परिसर and offer prayers of thanksgiving for nature’s abundance.

The celebration stood out for its strong interfaith presence. Representatives from the Muslim, Christian and Buddhist communities joined Hindu devotees, reflecting a shared spirit of harmony and mutual respect.

Fr. John Sagaya Pushparaj, Ecumenical Secretary of the Diocese of Mysore, addressed the gathering, stressing the deeper meaning of Sankranti. He described it as a harvest festival that nurtures unity and gratitude while reminding people of their duty to protect and preserve nature. Fr. Arul Mani and Fr. Rufus joined him in spreading a message of love, peace and harmony.

Afsar Khan, a Muslim leader, echoed these sentiments, saying the festival belongs to farmers who work tirelessly to bring forth the earth’s bounty. He said members of the Muslim community had come to stand with their Hindu brothers and sisters in thanking God for the abundance received.

Hindu community leader C. S. Venkatesh underlined the theme of togetherness, stating that all people share the same fruits of nature. He said Sankranti belongs to every human being living on this earth and called on everyone to unite in thanking nature and celebrating shared humanity.

Several notable personalities also attended the event, including social worker Palahalli Prassanna; Jayashankar, President of the Samarpana Trust; prolific writer Chandranna; Antharaj; Arogyaraj; Mohan; and Mrs Rita, along with many other social workers and religious leaders.

The Lakshadeep celebration emerged as a strong symbol of interfaith harmony, showing how people of diverse beliefs can come together to celebrate common values of gratitude, unity and love. As one lakh lamps illuminated the temple premises, they stood as a glowing reminder of collective harmony and the triumph of humanity.

By Fr. John

Download Catholic Connect App for Daily News Updates: 

Android: Click here to download

iOS: Click here to download