- Sunday, May 19, 2024
By: Pramod Kumar
A special Ganga Anthem was launched on Friday (19) on Dev Diwali at Parmarth Niketan ashram in Rishikesh during Ganga Aarti.
Artist Snatam Kaur, inspired by the president of Parmarth Niketan Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, has written the anthem to urge people across the globe to come together, a statement said.
The song was sung by devotional singers, in addition to Snatam, including Krishna Das, Deva Premal and Miten and CC White.
The song emphasises the necessity of protecting, preserving and caring for Mother Ganga.
The live event was attended by artists and global dignitaries with Ganga Aarti live from Parmarth Niketan.
Before the Ganga Aarti, sanitation workers, educationists, teachers and students gathered together with HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji and Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawatiji outside of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance’s World Toilet College to take a special pledge.
The event also commemorated World Toilet Day, which coincided with Kartik Purnima this year, the statement added.
Pujya Swami Chidanandji said: “This beautiful song and the devotion of all these globally renowned singers, and the whole world joining us live, shows that Mother Ganga is not only for Indians or Hindus, but She is for ALL. Now it is the responsibility of all of us to keep her clean and flowing freely.”
Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji said, “Mother Ganga unites us. We come together across all races, religions, colours and cultures to sit in Her holy lap and bathe in Her waters. With Ganga’s grace, this song, and the loving commitment of Snatam and all the singers, will become a rallying call to care for Mother Ganga.”
Deva Premal & Miten said: “It’s an honour to be able to contribute to the wonderful work of Sadhviji and Pujya Swamiji from the Wash Alliance with this song. If every one of us does something, a lot will happen! So let’s continue cleaning up our beautiful nature, our beautiful rivers and oceans. And let’s chant and sing while doing it so our spirits are uplifted at the same time.”
C C White Soul Kirtan said, “This is a time for healing, a time to send love, blessings and gratitude to Mother Ganga. I’m so honoured to be a part of this miracle of grace, a cause and purpose of great humanity and care.”
The song can be downloaded from Spotify, Apple.
