VHP to celebrate 60th anniversary

Mangaluru: The 60th anniversary celebrations of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) is being held from Aug 25 to Sept 1. VHP’s Saha Karyadarshi Shivanand Mendon told reporters on Wednesday that Hindu gatherings, conferences, processions, sports events, and religious programmes are being organised across 21 places in the district. Thousands of Hindus are expected to participate in the events.
VHP’s Prantha Sahakaryadarshi, Sharan Pumpwel, said that the VHP is the largest organisation in the world dedicated to preserving Indian religion, culture, Hindu values and beliefs.It was founded on Aug 29, 1964, at the Sandipani Ashram in Mumbai. Over the past 60 years, the organisation has worked to unite Hindus globally while focusing on the practice, promotion, and protection of Hinduism, he said.
Further, Pumpwel said that VHP operates in more than 50 countries, including the USA, Canada, England, Hungary, Germany, France, Kenya, Fiji, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Mauritius, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan. Founded under the leadership of the first National President, Maharaja Jayachamaraja Wodeyar of Mysore, the council began its work with the guidance of a board of saints, religious leaders, and scholars. The VHP is active across the country and is involved in protecting cows and has been successful in preserving sacred centres through campaigns like the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi Movement, Amarnath, Ram Setu, Save Tirupati Movement, and Dattapeetha. The VHP was worked with the youth along with Bajrang Dal and Durgavahini. VHP leaders HK Purushotham, Manohar Suvarna Asaigoli, Puneet Attavar, Bhujanga Kulal, Guruprasad Ullal and Ravi Kadegoli were present.