THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Anglican priest Father Dr. Manoj is set to undertake a pilgrimage to Sabarimala after observing a 41-day fast. His intention is to meticulously adhere to all the customary rituals before embarking on this profound spiritual journey. On the 20th day, once the fast concludes, a special ritual will be conducted at the Thirumala Mahadeva temple in Thiruvananthapuram.

Father Manoj, a 50-year-old native of Thiruvananthapuram, specifically from Balaramapuram Uchakkada, has been diligently studying the Hindu religion and its customs. He firmly believes that delving into the teachings of other faiths doesn't necessitate abandoning one's own. Rather than taking charge of a specific church, Father Manoj's objective is to impart spiritual wisdom to young individuals, helping them incorporate spirituality into their lives.

It's important to note that Father Manoj's journey is not an abandonment of his priesthood or his religious beliefs. Hailing from Bengaluru, he boasts 27 years of experience as a software engineer. His wife, Jolly Jose, is a homemaker, and their daughter, Ann Irene Joslett, is a graduate student.

Father Manoj eloquently expresses that the philosophy of 'Tatvamasi' has drawn him closer to Ayyappan. His belief is that there is only one God, and various religions offer diverse perspectives on the divine. He maintains that all religions fundamentally convey the same message – that God transcends the boundaries of any single faith. He passionately believes that recognizing this universal truth could contribute to solving many of the world's problems, and one need not forsake their own religious convictions to gain insight into other belief systems. In his words, "All religions share the common goal of promoting the well-being of humanity."

Born into the Church of South India (CSI) community, Father Manoj was ordained as a priest within the Anglican Church in 2010. He has pursued extensive theological education, including earning a PhD in the field. His steadfast conviction is that there exists a singular God in the universe, venerated in diverse forms by different communities and faiths.

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