Green Birthday-Eco Service Festival at Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh, for HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati Maharaj Ji’s 73rd Birthday; Hon’ble Governor of Kerala, Shri Arif Mohammad Khan, Hon’ble Former Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri Manohar Lal Khattar, and Revered Saints Offered Birthday Greetings and Messages of Peace

On the occasion of the birthday of HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati Maharaj Ji, the President of Parmarth Niketan, a grand Green Birthday Celebration was held at the Parmarth premises. The Harit Mahotsav commenced to mark the auspicious entry of HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati Maharaj Ji into his 73rd year.

The Honorable Governor of Kerala, Shri Arif Mohammad Khan, the Honorable Former Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri Manohar Lal Khattar, revered saints, all distinguished guests, teachers of Parmarth Gurukul, Rishikumars, and the Parmarth family, offered their birthday greetings to HH Swami Chidanand Saraswati Maharaj Ji with the sound of conch shells, flower showers, and Vedic chants.

The Parmarth premises resonated with the song “Sudinam Sudinam Janmadinam Tava, Bhavatu Mangalam Janmadinam, Vijayi Bhava Sarvatra Sarvada, Bhavatu Mangalam Janmadinam.” The auspicious lighting of the holy lamp marked the beginning of the Green Birthday Celebration and Environmental Service Festival.

The holy presence of many revered saints graced the event, including M.M. Swami Asanganand Saraswati Ji, Yoga Rishi Swami Ramdev Ji, Acharya M.M. Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji, Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand Ji, M.M. Swami Harichetananand Ji, Sant Shri Murlidhar Ji, Dr. Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati Ji, Swami Dayaram Das Ji, Swami Jayantanand Saraswati Ji, Shri Ajay Bhai Ji, Sadhvi Abha Saraswati Ji, Swami Ravi Prapanchacharya Ji, Swami Krishnacharya Ji, Swami Keshavanand Ji, Swami Sanatan Tirth Ji, and Swami Gangeshwaranand Ji.

The event also witnessed the esteemed presence of the Honorable Finance, Urban Development, Housing, Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs, Reorganization and Census Cabinet Minister Shri Premchand Agarwal Ji; the Honorable Technical Education, Forest, Language, and Election Cabinet Minister Shri Subodh Uniyal Ji; renowned Medanta Professor Dr. Arvind Kumar Ji; MLA Yamkeshwar, Smt. Renu Bisht Ji; Mayor of Rishikesh, Smt. Anita Mamgai Ji; National President of Rashtriya Kavi Sangam, Shri Jagdish Mittal Ji; renowned poet Dr. Hariom Pawar Ji; Professor Dr. Arvind Kumar Raises Awareness on Organ and Body Donation Post-Mortem, and other distinguished guests.

RISHIKESH:  On the occasion of HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati Maharaj Ji’s 73rd birthday, a grand Green Birthday-Environmental Service Festival was celebrated with great enthusiasm at Parmarth Niketan.

In this divine, grand, and extraordinary Green Birthday-Environmental Service Festival, Honorable Governor of Kerala, Shri Arif Mohammad Khan, and Honorable Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri Manohar Lal Khattar, along with revered saints, distinguished guests, and numerous dignitaries from across the country and abroad, participated. They extended their birthday wishes to HH Swami Chidanand Saraswati Maharaj Ji and, inspired by his environmentally dedicated life, reaffirmed their commitments.

On the occasion of Swami Ji Maharaj’s birthday, many devotees, followers, revered saints, politicians, and actors from India and abroad sent video messages, written messages, greetings, and numerous messages of commitment dedicated to the environment.

On this auspicious occasion, the Parmarth Niketan family initiated several new environment-dedicated initiatives and announced future service projects, such as Divyangta Mukt Bharat, Ganga Yoga, Ganga Katha, Parmarth Triveni Pushp in Prayagraj, Monsoon Kanwar Mela plantation, and many other projects dedicated to the environment and humanity.

HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati Maharaj Ji, paying homage to the tradition from Jagadguru Shankaracharya Ji Maharaj to Mahamandaleshwar Swami Asanganand Ji Maharaj, honored all the revered saints and said that “This is not just a manifestation festival but an environmental service festival. This entire life is dedicated to the environment, nature, Mother Earth, Ganga, and all of humanity. We are fortunate that God has given us birth on this divine land of India.”

After encouraging everyone for Ang Daan, Maha Daan — an appeal for organ donation with eminent doctors from Medanta Hospital – Pujya Swami Ji stated that the greatest donation is the donation of time. He added, “Sitting together itself is a message, and today, it is needed the most. We have many vaccines, but the world needs a vaccine for thoughts because our thoughts are the solution. Santana Dharma is the timeless tradition that provides wisdom which transforms us to be the solution, moving beyond any borders and boundaries of caste, colour, creed, religion and region. It is this rich heritage that is rooted in the principles of our inherent oneness, in the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – the world is one family. Hence, to me Sanatana is nature, Sanatana is culture, and Sanatana is the future.”

Honorable Governor of Kerala, Shri Arif Mohammad Khan, said, “On the Pujya Swamiji’s birthday, I am glad to be with you today. He inspires saints, ascetics, and society at large. Adi Guru Shankaracharya Ji established the four Maths, rooted in the four Vedas, to celebrate our inherent oneness and unity. Indian culture believes Aham Brahmasmi Tatvamasi, accepting ‘I am the soul’ is true knowledge, while accepting ‘I am the body’ is ignorance. ” He added, “If the environment is in crisis, everyone’s life will be in crisis, so protecting the environment is essential. It is time to reflect on whether we are harming anyone. We must learn to take responsibility. We are responsible for the situations we go through. If we can detach from our life, stability and strength will come. We must stand firmly for our ideals and beliefs. The leadership and blessings of revered saints are essential because they make us aware of our responsibilities. Any human system that addresses the problems of its time is the true system, and that is our culture.”

Yogrishi Swami Ramdev Ji said, “We have come to express our love on the birthday of Pujya Swami Ji. The vision behind His efforts for a Clean and Green Earth is a capable and prosperous India. Pujya Swami Ji’s life, like the flow of Maa Ganga, is pure and simple for everyone. Yoga, Sanatana Dharma and Bhagawan Shri Ram are not just philosophies or stories they are principles of living. They convey the message of unity, cooperation, harmony, and goodwill. Pujya Swami Ji has lived the principles of Sanatan, dedicating his entire life to purpose and altruism.” He added that in the last thirty years that I have known Pujya Swamiji he has not changed much at all. His health, agility and energy, by God’s grace is an inspiration to us all. He added, “This is a testament to Pujya Swamiji’s balanced, yogic and seva filled way of living. We must pledge to bring these qualities into our own lives.”

Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji, head of Juna Akhara, said, “Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati Ji is an inspiring figure in environmental protection. He is known as the saint with trees and the one who performs the world-renowned Parmarth Ganga Aarti, with this and countless other service initiatives he has inspired the entire nation and the world.” He added, “The Vedas mention that one daughter is equal to ten sons and one tree is equal to a hundred daughters, hence planting trees is critically important in our tradition. The benefits of thousands of Yajnas are found in one tree. Pujya Swami Ji’s work in protecting water, air, and rivers is exemplary and worth following.”

Pujya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Asanganand Saraswati Ji said, “Today is a joyous occasion. Parmarth Niketan was established by its founder, Pujya Swami Shukdevanand Saraswati Ji Maharaj, and it is being led under the visionary leadership of Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati Ji. Pujya Swami Ji has always had an incredible interest in selfless service for the welfare of all. He has served Parmarth for more than four decades and it is his tireless efforts and great vision that has brought this institution to hold it’s a prestigious place in the world. With the blessings of the revered saints, Parmarth Niketan continues to be a beacon of light for countless many.”

Gita scholar Swami Gyananand Ji said, “Human life is rare, and the Supreme Father has sent us with immense capabilities; thus, we must connect with the vast, not become narrow-minded. The goal of our life should be vast. Our goal should not be to gather, but to share. When the goal is to share, it becomes a blessing. Since humanity adopted the tendency to take instead of giving, pollution has increased globally. Therefore, on Swami Ji’s birthday, let us pledge to give like nature and become dear to all humanity. Swami Ji’s life is an inspiration and a blessing for all humanity.”

Mahamandaleshwar Swami Harichetananand Ji said, “World-renowned saint Swami Chidanand Saraswati Ji celebrates his birthday as Environment Day, and his birth anniversary should be celebrated as Environment Inspiration Day. In the current times, it is essential to save the environment. If any saint in the world has done the most work for environmental protection, it is our Swami Chidanand Saraswati Ji Maharaj. Today is a significant day; it is the birth anniversary of someone who has worked for the environment. For almost four decades, he has not only been concerned about the environment but has also been dedicated to it. His thoughts and dreams are devoted to environmental service. He said that June 4th is a very significant day and we will celebrate it as Sanatan Day. When the ruler of a country starts meditating, the 1.4 billion people of that country need not worry. To restore the glory of nature, everyone must be dedicated to environmental protection like Swami Chidanand Saraswati Ji. Let us celebrate this day as Environment Inspiration Day.”

Dr. Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati Ji said, “Swami Ji’s life, every moment, every breath, and every second is dedicated not to himself but to all of humanity. Whatever service comes before him, he accepts it as Prasad (a divine offering). He completes the service considering it as God’s Prasad, and those services are fulfilled because of his dedication, sacrifice, and divine faith. The Encyclopedia of Hinduism is a remarkable gift to the world by Swami Ji.” On this occasion, she reiterated Swami Ji’s resolution for a disability-free India.

Sadhvi Ji said, “A Guru is one who brings light into our lives. Swami Ji has brought light into the lives of countless people, enabling them to move forward by self-reflection. Hence, our time, talent, technology, and tenacity.”

Sant Shri Murlidhar Ji, a storyteller, said, “Most revered Swami Chidanand Saraswati Ji has dedicated his entire life to environmental protection. You work day and night to make rivers continuous and pure. This should be our collective resolution.”

Dr. Arvind Kumar, a renowned surgeon from Medanta, speaking about organ donation, said, “By donating organs after death, we can save the lives of eight people.” He mentioned that Lord Ganesha is the biggest example of organ transplantation, with the first transplantation of the head.

Swami Baba Hathyogi Ji said, “Whatever is said about Swami Chidanand Saraswati Ji will always be less. The birthday is just an occasion; this platform is to reach our voices to the masses. He said that to save Indian culture, we must recite the Ramayana in every household.”

Honorable Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Premchand Agarwal Ji, said, “Swami Ji has taken the flag of Indian religion to the whole world. The saints have held the flag of Sanatan and are waving it worldwide. He conveyed his congratulations on behalf of himself and his government.”

Renowned industrialist Shri Vinod Bagdoria Ji said, “Thirty-eight years ago, some friends and I started providing prosthetic limbs to those who could not walk, and in these 38 years, with the blessings of Pujya Swami Ji and the Gurus, we have provided free prosthetic limbs to millions of people. We are always ready to set up free disability camps wherever needed.”

HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati Maharaj Ji presented all the revered saints and guests with cardamom, Rudraksha garlands, and the green gift of a Rudraksha plant from the Himalayas. Today’s divine program began with the divine music of “Vande Mataram” and concluded with “Jana Gana Mana.”

On the occasion of HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati Maharaj Ji’s birthday, a grand feast (Bhandara) was organized at Parmarth Niketan.