Lucknow: The Kalpataru Festival and Sarva Dharma Conference were held with religious fervour at Ramakrishna Math, Nirala Nagar, Lucknow, marking the first day of the New Year. The day-long programme was organised at the temple and auditorium and was also live-streamed on the official YouTube channel of Ramakrishna Math, Lucknow.
Explaining the significance of Kalpataru, Math President Swami Muktinathanand Ji said that Sri Ramakrishna symbolised the eternal Brahman and represented the Kalpataru—granting seekers the four fruits of life: dharma, artha, kama and moksha. He emphasised that all religions are different paths leading to the same God.
The evening Sarva Dharma Conference saw participation from representatives of Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity and Buddhism, who highlighted the need for religious harmony and mutual respect. Speakers unanimously stressed that religious harmony must be given the highest priority in all faiths.
The conference concluded with a collective prayer for unity, creating a deeply harmonious atmosphere to begin the New Year.
