Padma Shri recipient Kailash Kher recently joined Swami Chidananda Saraswati at the completion of the eighth batch of the Ganga Awareness and Aarti Training initiatives, lauding the endeavor by Rishikesh-based Parmarth Niketan, in partnership with Namami Gange, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India.

Kher lauded the initiative and, during the eighth training, shared an inspiring message with the priests. He said, “All change begins with a strong initiation. Whether it was Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji, Swami Vivekananda Ji, Mahatma Gandh Ji or Chandra Shekhar Azad Ji, the seed of change always began with strong determination, dedication and persistence. Hurdles and obstacles along the way should not deter one from the goal.”

According to a press release from Parmarth Niketan, the Ganga Awareness & Aarti training workshops have been transformative in empowering priests and pandits situated along the banks of Maa Ganga and her tributaries to carry the sacred message of Ganga conservation and devotion forward to the masses. To date, these trainings have equipped nearly 200 priests and pandits across more than 100 ghats, spanning over 75 cities and towns in six states along the River Ganga and her tributaries. These workshops, held under the joint aegis of Parmarth Niketan, Namami Gange, Ministry of Jal Shakti and their Arth Ganga inititaive, have been instrumental in establishing ghats as platforms for public awareness, devotion, and ecological responsibility, the press release said.

The recent three-day Ganga Awareness and Aarti training workshop welcomed 35 priests from 23 ghats across four states of India. Participants were trained to perform Ganga Aarti inspired by the model of Parmarth Niketan, transforming their ghats into vibrant hubs of cultural, spiritual, and environmental education and awareness, organizers said.

The activities were inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to ensure a clean and green Ganga for all. The concept for these trainings was officially announced in October of 2023 when Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat joined Swami Chidananda Saraswati ahead of the Run for Unity. Throughout the course of this year the training has witnessed the great transformation and change that faith based messaging can have in supporting initiatives like Swachh Bharat and Arth Ganga. It has also garnered the praise of Union Minister of Jal Shakti C.R. Patil and the Director General of Namami Gange.

“The tradition of Ganga Aarti is not just about prayers and rituals; it is a celebration of our cultural heritage and a call to protect the sanctity of our rivers and all our sacred water bodies. Through the Aarti, we honor the life-giving waters of Maa Ganga while awakening a sense of responsibility towards preserving this sacred resource for future generations, Swami Chidananda is quoted saying in the press release, sharing his vision of how these initiatives were part of the nationwide Incredible India drive.

(Used with permission)

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