Himalayan Yatra to Devprayag

September 7, 2018

Just ahead of Himalaya Diwas, a beautiful, experiential yatra took place up to Devprayag from Rishikesh with Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji​ and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati​ji recently, bringing together Parmarth Rishikumars, devotees representing the Indian Disapora from the United Kingdom, along with many sevaks and pilgrims.

During their visit, they interacted with the locals, listened to their challenges, took part in a cleanliness drive, did a sanitation survey of the local toilets and sanitation facilities, visited the National Sanskrit Institute, and shared the numerous gifts of the Himalayas which make Himalayan children ambassadors of their sacred, ancient and timeless culture. They visited some ancient temples in the region and planned for the temples’ beautification, greenery and cleanliness.

Pujya Swamiji, while addressing students of Sanskrit University, said that Devprayag is situated on the holy confluence of the Alakananda and Bhagirathi rivers. He shared, “Children of the Himalayas, especially Uttarakhand, have got a special gift, they gift of fresh air, clean water, and the timeless, beautiful culture of the area that have always lived in harmony with their environment. This is a culture that has always propagated to have less but to be more, to give more and to share more. All that is needed is for us to realize the immense wealth we have, a wealth the rest of the world can’t even quantify or measure but a wealth that in the coming times will become a boon for the entire planet. Hence, our job should be to assimilate this culture, the air, the water and the sacred soil of this land – to become true Ambassadors – such that no matter where we go we take the beauty, the glory and the sanctity of the Himalayas with us.”

Secretary General of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance and President of Divine Shakti Foundation, Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswatiji said, “Childhood is the most precious time of life, at this time children learn and absorb the values and the example we set for them. Therefore, as parents, caretakers and teachers I invite you to lead the future generation of the Himalayas by your example. By instilling in them the values of cleanliness, environmental conservation and water conservation you are creating the leaders of tomorrow.”

The group also visited the sacred confluence of the two rivers, praying, meditating and sprinkling the holy water of the river upon themselves.

Students and teachers of the Sanskrit University, as well as students of the Parmarth Gurukul, planted trees on the premises of the university and pledged to live the inspiring messages they learned together. On the yatra was Manda Lakhani​ and Kanesh Lakhani, along with their beautiful daughters Roshni​ and Shreya​, Vibhutiben, Swamini Adityananda Saraswati​ji, Laurie Bryan Larson​, Ed Fink​ and others from the global and local Parmarth family.