With less than a month to go, preparations are well underway for Morari Bapu’s historic Ram Katha in Athens.
Athens, renowned for being the birthplace and cradle of democracy, will host this Katha at a poignant time as Europe comes to terms with waves of changes across the continent. The nine day Katha will be held at the Intercontinental Athenaeum Hotel, on the doorstep of the Acropolis of Ancient Greece from Saturday 23rd July to Sunday 31st July.
The Katha, which is being organised by a team of dedicated, young volunteers from the UK, is expected to attract thousands to the city from across the world to take refuge in Bapu’s teaching of Satya, Prem and Karuna; Truth, Love and Compassion.
Bapu’s Vyas Pith will pay tribute to Socrates and other great scholars from Ancient Greece including Plato and Aristotle; scholars who helped shape the world as we know it today. Bapu hopes to touch on the teachings of all of these great Scholars and will help place their teachings within both the Hindu Scriptures and a modern context.
There is a wave of excitement amongst all attendees traveling to Athens this summer, particularly young people. Speaking exclusively to one attendee, he told Asian Voice/Gujarat Samachar, “I love Bapu, because he resonates with young people and the challenges we face living in the west. I think Europe is in need of Bapu’s wisdom! It will also be a great opportunity to explore this Ancient capital.”
Bapu has been reciting The Ramcharitmanas for over fifty years. During each Katha, Bapu selects a couplet from The Ramcharitmanas and expounds upon its meaning, explaining its relevance for modern day life.
Today, Bapu’s Katha’s are recognised across the globe for celebrating the best of man-kind, combining the rich history of striking locations with traditional readings of Hindu Scriptures. This summer, Athens will join the list of other global cities, such as Jerusalem, Vatican City, Mount Kailash and Toronto, all of whom have had the honour of hosting Bapu’s Kathas.
Although Bapu is Hindu and uses ancient Hindu texts to illustrate his teachings, he insists there is nothing religious about his beliefs and calls for acceptance of all faiths. He is refreshingly practical, denouncing religious conversions and complicated rituals, instead urging listeners to be open, in head and heart. His openness towards others and their faith is evident in each and every Katha, during which he may use an analogy from Christianity, recite lines of Urdu poetry or quote a lesson from Buddhism.
A spokesperson for the Katha has said, “Spiritual lessons are fundamentally inclusive and it’s this open, practical approach to living a life rooted in the foundation of Truth, Love and Compassion that millions around the world find so compelling. As today’s youth abandon the mantle of religion, disillusioned with illogical decrees and unjustified righteousness, it’s no surprise that Bapu has so many devout, young followers. Free from the binds of religion, Bapu’s teachings allow them to soar.”
The organisers of the Katha have made arrangements for guests on an extraordinary scale. Special discounted rates have been provided for all guests, which also includes a delicious vegetarian Indian lunch and dinner for all attendees which will be freshly prepared on site.
Demand for the Katha has been unprecedented, but there are a limited number of rooms still available at the Intercontinental Athenaeum Hotel at a discounted rate. For further information, visit facebook.com/athenskatha or to book please email [email protected] or call +44(0)7810 223078.
