- Sunday, May 12, 2024
In the evening of April 23, Murmu took part in Ganga Aarti at the banks of River Ganges.
By: Shubham Ghosh
PARMARTH NIKETAN in Rishikesh in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand on April 23 welcomed Indian president Droupadi Murmu on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, which marks the birth anniversary of the Hindu deity, Lord Hanuman.
On the occasion, Murmu was given a traditional welcome by Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati, president of Parmarth Niketan, and Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji, international director of Parmarth Niketan amidst a serene ambience of Vedic chanting, showering of fragrant flower petals and resonating of conch shells.
Lt. Gen (Retd) Gurmit Singh, the governor of Uttarakhand, was also present.
Commencing her visit, Murmu offered a sacred flower garland to Goddess Lakshmi. She then spoke with Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji and Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji in a tranquil garden, where they exchanged thoughts on various spiritual and service-oriented initiatives.
Governor of Uttarakhand, Lt General (Retd.) Gurmit Singh received President Droupadi Murmu on her arrival at Dehradun. pic.twitter.com/QSHRnDKHNX
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) April 23, 2024
The president was told about several charitable and humanitarian service initiatives spearheaded by Parmarth Niketan, together with Divine Shakti Foundation. She also met a few participants from some of these initiatives.
Young women, girls and children came from the Divyang Mukt Bharat campaign, supporting differently abled individuals for empowered living with dignity including the Parmarth Vijay Public School, a school for blind children in Uttarkashi and the Parmarth Naari Shakti Kendra, empowering women and girls through a wide range of free of cost skill development programmes.
The president also learned about work being undertaken on water, sanitation, hygiene and environmental protection by Parmarth through Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, including the World Toilet College, elevating sanitation standards, celebrating sanitation workers and transforming their lives.
In the evening, Murmu took part in Ganga Aarti at the banks of River Ganges.
The occasion saw chanting of prayers devoted to Lord Hanuman at the niketan’s Hanuman Ghat and rendition of India’s National Anthem.
The ceremony also included Ganga Puja and Purnahuti of a sacred yajna for world peace.
Murmu also joined a congregation for ‘harinam sankirtan’ and bhajan, and performed Ganga Aarti with Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji and Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji. Rishikumars of Parmarth Gurukul and pilgrims from across India and the world also took part.
The esteemed guest was also presented with a sacred Rudraksha sapling, a holy rudraksha garland and a deity of Lord Hanuman, marking the culmination of a blissful evening filled with warmth and spiritual inspiration.