The month began with divine Mahashivratri celebrations in Varanasi. Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji Maharaj and Pujya Sant Rameshbhai Oza travelled to Kashi for this special occasion. On the morning of March 4, Pujya Swamiji gave a beautiful press conference, which turned into a pravachan regarding the “Clean, Green and Serene” program. What began as simply a press conference, organized for 15-20  media people, became a crowded lecture, as all those in the nearby vicinity heard His compelling voice and came to listen.  He spoke about how so many pilgrims come on yatra to this holy city, yet if only they would make their yatra one of seva as well, then together we could all make the city clean and pristine. He gave details of the “Clean, Green and Serene” adopt a ghat program which He, in cooperation with Dr. B.K. Modi and other dedicated souls, is running. (see January Updates for more details of this program)

The evenings were filled with divine song and dance as we gathered for all night musical programs. India’s top kathak dancers, tabla players, singers and other musicians came and performed. 

On March 4 a beautiful abhishek ceremony was held, in which Pujya Swamiji and Pujya Swamiji performed sacred Shiv Abhishek. 

Then, we travelled by boat to several other ghats and ashrams for puja, for pravachan, for darshan. After the last ashram, en route to the musical performance, devotees from Varanasi pleaded with Pujya Swamiji to sit “for just 5 minutes” on a moving throne in the Shiv Barat. It was this huge yatra that carried Lord Shiva to His bride Parvati. So, on one enormous moving platform was Lord Shiva; on the other was Pujya Swamiji.  It was glorious: a huge moving vehicle was covered in every inch with bright orange marigolds On the top of this was a high, raised throne, a seat covered in velvet, surrounded by bright flashing lights and rose petals and more orange marigolds. Pujya Swamiji politely declined to ride on the top as King, but they had made this especially for Him, hoping in earnest that He would grace the city of Varanasi with His darshan. So, he acquiesced. The streets were flooded; one could not move. It was as though the entire city had poured out of their homes to come and partake of this divine Shiv Bharat Yatra. Parents held up their children to have Pujya Swamiji's darshan. City officials came and performed aarti to Him. A beautiful moment came when the crowd passed the aarti from hand to hand as each person performed aarti to Pujya Swamiji. Then, in His innate, infinitely humble way, he pulled the aarti plate gently from the hands of the crowd and He stood from His seat and performed aarti back to the crowd of thousands, who burst into thunderous applause. 

The holy night was spent amidst glorious song and dance again at the all night music program. Afterwards, as the sun began its ascent, we had the holy darshan in the famous Vishwanath temple. 

Additionally, on this auspicious night, three new ghats began daily evening Ganga Aarti. Under the “Clean, Green and Serene” Varanasi program, run by Parmarth Ganga Seva Nidhi (Pujya Swamiji is Chairman) and Vishwa Hindu Tirth Vikas Nigam (Dr. B.K. Modiji is Chairman), evening Ganga aarti will eventually be held on every one of the 94 ghats in Varanasi. On the new Millennium this aarti began on the Dasashwamedh ghat, and then on Mahashivratri, it began on three more ghats. 

On March 5, as we left the city, Pujya Swamiji stopped to have a meeting with the District Magistrate to discuss details of the clean up program. The DM expressed his great support and appreciation for the noble task undertaken by Pujya Swamiji and Dr. B.K. Modiji.
 

March 19-20; Bangalore :

Pujya Swamiji travelled with Shri Ashok Singhalji (President, Vishwa  Hindu Parishad) and Dr. B.K. Modiji to Bangalore to meet with His Holiness Satya Sai Baba. In addition to having Sai Baba’s darshan and blessings, they went to discuss the upcoming United Nations World Peace Summit in New York in August.

The meeting was beautiful. As Pujya Swamiji handed Satya Sai Baba a copy of His book, Drops of Nectar, Sai Baba materialized holy vibhuti (truly out of the thin air) and sprinkled it all over the book and into Pujya Swamiji’s hands. Baba expressed great support for the upcoming event, but said that since he was an obedient follower of his devotees, he had to first seek their approval in order to make the trip. 
 

While in Bangalore, Pujya Swamiji held several other significant meetings as well (does He ever do only one thing at a time?). He met with the devotees and architects building the Venkateshwara (Balaji) and Navgraha temple at Parmarth Niketan.This temple will bridge north and south in a unique, unprecedented way, as a southern deity is installed and worsh- ipped on the holy banks of Mother Ganga.

Construction of the new mandir at Parmarth Niketan

(Along with the new temple, Parmarth Niketan’s Satsang Bhavan is being expanded and renovated). 

He also met with Dr. Subbarayappaji, the National Academic Coordinator for the Encyclopedia of Hinduism and other EH scholars from Bangalore to assess progress and make plans for expediting and completing this momentous task. 

Additionally, He met with Smt. Janaki Subramaniam, world renowned devotional singer. Smt. Janakiji is making a new cassette on Gangaji and wants Pujya Swamiji’s blessings and voice for the tape as well. Additionally, she will donate all proceeds to India Heritage Research Foundation. 

March 21, Delhi :
 

Pujya Swamiji and Dr. B.K. Modiji with Shri Jagmohanji,  urban planning minister (Government of India)

Pujya Swamiji and Dr. B.K. Modiji met with Shri Jagmohanji, urban planning minister (Government of India) regarding the Varanasi Clean,Green and Serene program. Shri Jagmohanji is the government official in charge of all beautification and develop- ment programs in all the holy cities of India. They went to seek his support and assistance in this huge project.

He was effusively appreciative of this project and expressed his great admiration for such an undertaking. He also said that he would definitely help, in whatever ways he is able. 

The building for the new orphanage/ gurukul on the premises of Parmarth Niketan is progressing rapidly. We were expecting it to be completed by the end of this month; however, a great deal of unseasonal rain coupled with extensive construction for the upcoming katha, has pushed the estimated completion date back by a month.However, 70 children are here, living in rooms of the ashram.

The boys before being given their clothes

The boys as brahmachari students now

Ranging in age from nine to eighteen, they have come to live, to learn, and to become torchbearers of piety, integrity and culture.  Pujya Swamiji calls them all Rishikumars rather than orphans or poor children. So already you can see (in just a few weeks) the change in their entire demeanor. Now they have not only a home and a community, but a positive identity! It's so beautiful. Special thanks to Divine Soul Shri Prem Kumar Goyalji, a resident of Parmarth Niketan, for his great generosity in helping to bring this gurkul/orphanage to fruition.

April 1, Rishikesh:

Ekal Vidyalaya Teachers Training Program: The first Himalayan teacher’s training program will be held at Parmarth Niketan for the teachers of the Parmarth Shiksha Mandir/Ekal Vidyalaya program. We have already opened twenty-two schools in the Himalayas and we will open another 30 within the next 6 months.

April 4-5: Varanasi.

Pujya Swamiji will be in Varanasi for the glorious, auspicious occasion of the Hindu New Year. Just as there was a huge Millennium Celebration, so there will also be a large celebration for the Hindu New Year. 

Additionally, at this auspicious time, evening Ganga aarti will begin on 25 more ghats. One part of the “Ghat Sponsorship” program includes funding for the daily aarti, yagna and Ganga puja. 

April  6- 13, Rishikesh.

Divine Bhagwat Katha. Click here for more details

April 20-30: Australia.

Pujya Swamiji will be in Sydney, Australia where Pujya Sant Rameshbhai Oza will be delivering Shrimad Bhagwat Katha.