Report of Symphony of Religions: Interfaith Holi Milan
Irfan Engineer
Report of Symphony of Religions: Interfaith Holi Milan
Symphony of Religions: Interfaith Holi Milan held on 21st March 2025 - conceptualised by Inter-Religious Solidarity Council and hosted by ISKCON at their Girgaon temple - proved to be a very inspiring and learning moment. Like the colours of Holi, faith leaders from various faiths were present. Among them were Govind Prabhuji, Keshav Chandra Das Prabhuji, Braj Mohan Prabhuji were from ISKCON temple. Swami Dayadhipanand ji from the Ramkrishna Mission, Sister Anuja from the Brahmakumaris, Dr. Yogiraj Mangeshda, founder of Kriya Yoga, Fr. S.M. Michael Director of the Archdiocesan Commission for Inter Religious Dialogue, Shri Aakif Dafedar – President of Chhatrapati Shivaji Muslim Brigade, Prof. Surinder Kaur from Sikh faith, Shri Shatrughan Jivnani and Ms. Mahvash Rowhani from the Baha’i faith, and Roshani Shenazz from Zoroastrian faith were also present. Besides Holi, the Christians have Lent, Muslims have Ramzan, the Holi month when they fast, with Eid and Easter not very far away. The Baha’I community and Parsi community were celebrating their Nav Roz or new year.
Addressing the gathering, Govind Prabhuji said that one should put one’s self interest, or affection for someone above justice. Dharma means one’s duty towards the society. Dharma also means the natural behaviour of things. For example, if fire burns, it consumes everything with its flames, irrespective of who and what. Dharma in this sense should not distinguish based on religion or any other identity markers. Likewise, human beings have a duty and a responsibility to stand for justice, irrespective of on which side the scales of justice are – for or against our loved ones or our interests. When affection overpowers justice, adharma happens. He further said that human relate at four different levels and therefore have four different identities – 1) one’s relation with God, which is his/her private domain; 2) next level is sanskriti, i.e. when a human being relates to regional level – i.e. immediate neighourhood, like one’s linguistic community, or state, or religious community; 3) at the level of one’s country and 4) at Global level. Dharma, according to him, is doing justice to all at global level and that is indestructible.
Braj Mohan Prabhu propounded that the essential values of truth and justice are important, and not external appearances like religion, caste, creed, gender, etc. Swami Dayadhipanandaji said that there is truth in all religions and we must go towards universal acceptance. Sr. Auja said we are all beautiful souls made of seven original qualities that are connected with 7 chakras within us – 1) peace, 2) happiness, 3) love, 4) bliss, 5) spiritual knowledge, 6) purity and 7) power. If we focus on these qualities, there will be no room for negative thoughts or emotions. Yogiraj Dr. Mangesh Da said Yoga helps us control our breath and maximise intake of Oxygen. We are all inter-connected as we breathe the same air. Nature doesn’t discriminate between human beings. Father Michael
Shri Aakif Dafedar said that God has given us intelligence and we all should not simply follow every leader, particularly, if they propound negative values which exclude any section of society, or preach negative attitudes towards them. He further said that we should study not only our religion but other religions as well and overcome our prejudices about others. Prof. Surinder Kaur distinguished faith in one God from the different paths we undertake to reach that God. Ms. Mahvash Rowhani said that society develops and along with the development of the society, religion must be progressive. Shri Shatrughan Jivnani said also emphasised on unity of all religions.
Kavi Ravi recited a Hindu poem on harmony and love. Shayar Laxman Sharma ‘Waahid’ through his poetry took the audience to Vrindavan and the Holi celebrations there with love as its theme. His Urdu Shaayari sensitized the audience to violence and victims of terrorism in the name of religion saying the colour of tears and blood is same, irrespective of religion of the victim.
The programme started with the rendition of the National Anthem by children. There was a gracious dance performance by Children learning in the temple. Dance was Choreographed by their teacher Mansi. The Master of Ceremony was Shri Deepak Bharwani, who works as a volunteer at the Temple. He conducted the entire programme very well and efficiently, and added his own pearls of wisdom from time to time and keeping all the audience attentive and humoured.
The ambience of the hall, well decorated with tonnes of flowers, was serene, cool, colourful and aromatic. The colours of flowers signified the colours of Holi. There were scores of volunteers to make all the arrangements, including flower decoration, sound system, and video. The meeting ended with prasad (dinner) from the temple with nutritious and tasty food. There were also arrangements for iftar for Muslims attending the programme so that they are not inconvenienced due to fasting in the Holy month of Ramzan. There was such an atmosphere of love and solidarity among all the participants from various religions that God must have been present during the entire ceremony.
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