In the service of God and humanity
Since the country went under lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus, Parmarth Niketan and the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance have been actively engaged in helping in a way possible, and has continued to serve both those within the ashram as well as those under lockdown in the surrounding area. Some of our service has included:
From the very beginning of the lockdown Parmarth Niketan has been engaged in feeding the hungry. It began with feeding the hundreds of sadhus and homeless sisters and brothers. Click here to read more!
We have been providing food rations for approximately 2,000 families, sending families months’ worth of supplies including grains, flours, cooking oil, tea, salt, and spices.
We have offered both the ashram’s Swami Shukdevanand Hospital, Nature Cure Center, and Yoga Hall spaces to the government to use for the treatment of patients with the coronavirus or for quarantine.
In partnership with Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, 10,000 PP suits are being prepared for the frontline workers fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
The women and girls of our Divine Shakti Foundation vocational training center have made hundreds of high quality durable masks so far and are continuing to produce them daily by hand.
Parmarth Niketan & the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, in partnership with UNICEF, UNFPA, WSSCC, Eros Now, Sanskar Channel and other organizations, have brought together eminent faith leaders of the Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh and Buddhist community on the faith response to COVID-19, including:
These gatherings aim to inspire leaders to inspire their communities to behave responsibly during this time, teach proper ways to stop the spread of the virus, and to eliminate any misconceptions about who can be infected, and erase any stigmas between race or religions.
Additionally, in partnership with UNICEF, UNFPA, and WSSCC, GIWA has put together videos from faith leaders regarding the response to COVID-19 for massive social media sharing, to use the power of faith to encourage people to make smart decisions with regard to their health and safety, as well as the health of their community, the nation, and the world. This includes messages from faith leaders on topics such as staying at home, stopping the spread, and taking the pandemic seriously, and reminding people that the coronavirus doesn’t impact only people of a certain religion or race.
These videos aim to remove any stigma or discrimination against people or groups of people surrounding the coronavirus, as such discrimination only further creates borders and boundaries in this global fight against the virus.
For our global family locked down around the world, we are providing online through our social media channels a full-day of yoga, satsang, meditation, Ganga Aarti, inspiring videos, and special celebrations (such as live recordings of Hanuman Jayanti celebrations, Easter celebrations, etc.) to help them stay peaceful, calm, connected and grounded during this challenging time.
As we move towards a New Normal, the ashram is instituting measures of greater sanitation, hygiene and health to ensure that we prevent and curb the spread of Covid-19 as well as boost our immunity and promote a greater sense of wellness. Click here to see NDTV coverage of the Covid-19 measures we are undertaking at the Parmarth Gurukul!
In addition to the devastating sickness and the tragic loss of life, one of the major effects of the Covid-19 pandemic has been its economic effect on impoverished and indigent groups and the loss of livelihoods and life’s essentials. Parmarth Niketan has undertaken bi-weekly visits to some of Uttarakhand’s poorest neighborhoods, including those within Rishikesh, to provide much-needed assistance to our most-deserving and most disenfranchised neighbors.
Since the beginning of the lockdown, Parmarth has held a number of special prayer ceremonies for the healing of the world, including Special Prayers of Healing, Prayers for Corona Frontline Workers, and Lights of Hope & Healing in Times of Corona.
Please join us online for live yoga classes every day at 6:30am IST on our Youtube and Facebook, livestream of our renowned Ganga Aarti every evening on our Facebook page at 5:30pm IST, and a livestream of Satsang on both Facebook and YouTube Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday nights at 7:00pm IST.
During this uncertain time of the coronavirus, Pujya Swamiji, Sadhvi Bhagawatiji, and all of Parmarth Niketan are sending our heartfelt prayers and blessings to everyone around the world. Please see below to watch special inspirational messages from Pujya Swamiji, Pujya Sadhviji, and Parmarth.
In a time of uncertainty and strife, the calming and beautiful chanting of Pujya Swamiji provides a balm for the soul and hope for the heart to see us – together! – through whatever may come. We invite you to experience His beautiful words and His divine wisdom, and to use their soothing tones as a mantra of strength and courage in the days and weeks ahead.
Parmarth Niketan joined in solidarity with the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi ji and the entire nation as we switched off and turned on earth lamps and diyas across the Ashram premises for a spectacular symbol of hope, healing and resilience in the times of the Corona Virus.
Join us for our World Peace Yagna as we pray for the health and well being of the world free from the Corona Virus. We also offer prayers to all of our Corona Warriors and frontline workers working tirelessly around the world.
During the current times of the Coronavirus, its important more then ever to come together with our hearts and with our energies to heal ourselves, our worlds and our planet. In the beautiful Yoga Garden of Parmarth Niketan, at the feet of our divine Lord Shiva, Pujya Swamiji, Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawatiji, and Pujya Sadhvi Abha Saraswatiji offer soothing words of comfort and support in a heart-felt prayer for all of our sisters and brothers around the world during our current period.
Pujya Swamiji shares so beautifully that now if the time to go within, reconnect with our traditions and changing our lifestyles so that we are in greater harmony with the world.
Beautiful prayer and appreciation ceremony took place on the banks of Maa Ganga, in the lap of the Himalayas, at Parmarth Niketan with HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji – Muniji and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji in support of the #JantaCurfew and appreciation of all the frontline workers who are serving tirelessly during this time.
Hosted by the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, in partnership with UNICEF Tanzania
On the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, Parmarth Niketan and GIWA brought together Faith Leaders, the United Nations and Leading Faith Based Organisations from all over the world to unite with one vision of how humanity can move forward from this Covid 19 crisis into a period of healing and harmony with ourselves and Mother Nature.
Tune into a beautiful, interactive conversation on Mother Ganga, now and post lockdown & Covid-19, on how can we maintain an Aviral & Nirmal (clean & free flowing) river for all.
Join GIWA in an inspiring and uplifting session on Managing Fear & Anxiety During Times of Covid-19, presented in a virtual session hosted by the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce and AUM Capital.
Pujya Swamiji blesses the Global Citizen Festival One World Together At Home initiative in which millions of voices around the world joined together in harmony and love to support the World Health Organization (WHO) to honour our health care workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis.
A special and powerful online panel entitled “Ramazan, Jaan aur Jahan” was organised by Parmarth Niketan and GIWA, presided and inspired by Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, to encourage positive messages and crucial appeals by India’s prominent Muslim leaders calling to their followers and congregations to observe Ramazan from their homes during the Lockdown.
Science has shown that when people come together to meditate and pray electromagnetic fields shift, violence reduces, healing occurs, and peace prevails. We call forward over one billion people to unite with the world’s leading spiritual teachers and artists of our time. Thank you for joining #WorldMeditationDay to shift the global energy from fear to love
Join us for a special webinar on Global Handwashing Day, organised by the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance (GIWA) and the Water Supply & Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC).
A beautiful Webinar on the “INTERFAITH RESPONSE TO COVID-19” hosted by the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance (GIWA) in collaboration with Water Supply & Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) and with the technical support of UNICEF India on how Faith Leaders and Faith Based Organisations are responding, serving and working together in light of the Corona Virus pandemic.
GIWA and Parmarth hosted a celebration of Biodiversity, uniting the worlds of science and spirituality for a healthy, sustainable future for our Mother Earth, as they brought together revered interfaith leaders from across the globe, leaders of the United Nations and WSSCC, and world-renowned scientists on World Environment Day 2020.
Pujya Swamiji was glad to be a part of a new project showcasing a series of interviews with global interfaith leaders in which they share wisdom and spiritual advice as we jointly face the worldwide Covid-19 crisis.
Pujya Swamiji explains how this pandemic is an opportunity to go within, reflect, introspect and improve ourselves.
Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji shares with us the crucial importance of following the lockdown and urges us to follow the guidelines given by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, UNICEF India and others.
He warns us that Corona Virus doesn’t see our race or religion, caste or creed – it doesn’t discriminate and urges us also not to discriminate and be biased towards certain vulnerable populations. He shares with us that the greatest religion today is the one of our collective humanity.
He concludes by saying that we only have three options, either to be at home, or to be in a hospital or to remain just a memory in a photo frame. Therefore, he urges us to stay at home and stay safe.
HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji addresses guests and devotees staying at the Ashram for the next 21 days in total lockdown in India. The wisdom and drops of nectar that He shares is applicable to everyone. He reminds us that this time is gifted to us to stay home, go within and to really prepare and repair ourselves for the time to come. Watch and share this inspiring message with your loved ones to shed light during our efforts to prevent the spread of the Corona Virus.
In this beautiful informational video by Pujya Swamiji about how to be patient, take precautions and stay home as much as possible. He explains that we have gotten this opportunity to connect with each other and with ourselves!
Pujya Swamiji encourages us to Stay Healthy whilst we Stay Home – to have a balanced diet that is nutritious and helps boost our immunity. He encourages us to drink lots of water and stay hydrated, especially to drink hot water regularly. He emphasises and encourages us to do yoga, meditate and practice pranayama.
HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji shares many beautiful ways we can spend these 21 days in total lockdown, including satsang, yoga, meditation and other creative ways to look at and do things we hadn’t had time to do before. He encourages us to see these twenty one days as an extended Navratri in which we come out from it renewed, rejuvenated and replenished to be of greater service to ourselves and to our nation.
Pujya Swamiji appeals to the nation to take part in the Janata Curfew, taking this time to stay at home, go within and reconnect with yourself. Together we can and we will overcome these trying times.
A beautiful zoom interview with Rohit Vishwakarma on his Youtube Channel Desh Online in which an inspiring and uplifting conversation took place with Pujya Swamiji and Sadhvi Bhagawatiji on how best to spend this time in lockdown.
Pujya Swamiji shares the crucial importance of following the Government’s advisories and that all faith leaders and faith-based leaders must come forward to ensure citizens and their congregations follow the seven appeals of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the extended lockdown.
HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji shares with us precautions we each must take to address this critical challenge of the Corona Virus. He shares that we must stay home, protect ourselves, wash our hands, maintain social distancing and reminds us not to panic but to take precautions. Watch and share this message with your loved ones to shed light during our efforts to prevent the spread of the Corona Virus.
On Narad Jayanti, we celebrate the birthday of Devrishi Naradaji, who was both a Vedic sage, the son of Lord Brahma – and, the universe’s first journalist. He was the news bringer – he made the news and brought the news and shared the news and whatever he shared was always for the betterment of humanity. Pujya Swamiji so beautifully linked the traditional story of Devrishi Narad Muniji to our current times, saying that – because news is so rapidly and readily available online – it is easy to spread fake news and misinformation. Pledge that we will not spread or proliferate fake or inauthentic news! Rather, share only the news that brings health and faith and trust and wellness to people’s lives.
Pujya Swamiji offers a profound and beautiful message on Akshaya Tritiya inspiring us to stay at home, not to engage in any mass marriages or large gatherings, and honouring the lockdown.
Special World Health Day blessings from Pujya Swamiji honouring & appreciating the tremendous dedication & services of the nurses, midwives, health practitioners & doctors who are serving us selflessly during this time of Coronavirus pandemic.
He appeals for everyone to offer their respect & their appreciation to these front-line workers, appealing for all of us to follow advisories & guidelines given by our respective governments to insure that we too can move from being possible Corona Carriers to #CoronaWarriors doing our bit to STOP the spread of this highly contagious pathogen.
We welcomed a group of some the most disadvantaged and impoverished families of Swargashram, Rishikesh for an offering of love and light – plus, some essentials to help make their holiday brighter during the pandemic!
Beautiful Blessings and Message from Pujya Swamiji on the auspicious and beautiful occasion of Ram Navami. He shares that Lord Shri Ram was the embodiment of truth, love, light and compassion. He encourages us to reflect and introspect on what is the lesson we can learn from the Corona Virus Pandemic. He inspires us to live in love and compassion in our homes and with our families, especially in this time of total lockdown.
Beautiful Blessings and Message from Pujya Swamiji on the auspicious and beautiful occasion of Ram Navami, encouraging us to “Be Positive” and make the most of this time to go within and to spend quality time with our families in prayer, meditation, yoga, satsang and other constructive activities and projects. He also inspires us to take the money or the gifts we would give on Kanhya Pujan and offer them to the doctors, nurses, the healthcare practitioners, sanitation workers and service providers who are working day and night to serve those in need.
Pujya Swamiji gave an awe-inspiring interview on Sahara Samay with Shri Upendra Rai and explained how the Ganga, our sacred rivers, and Mother Nature are rejoicing at this time. He also shared why He knows Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji serves like a saint for the welfare and well being of all. Watch & share this special, loving and heart filled conversation.
At a live event on Zee Network, Pujya Swamiji says that whenever crisis has come upon the nation, the saints have dedicated themselves. It should not be about gold but surrender!
Watch and listen to Pujya Swamiji with Devi Chitralekhaji discuss topics ranging from responding to the Covid-19 Challenge from a spiritual perspective, lessons to learn from lockdown, returning to our values and roots, environmental preservation, keeping Mother Ganga clean and nurturing interfaith harmony and oneness in the nation and the world.
On the program “Ask asks India”, the live program of Republic India, Pujya Swamiji says that saints have always stepped in during times of crisis in the nation.
Pujya Swamiji shares His thoughts with Doordarshan National (DD1) and announces that Parmarth Niketan has volunteered its Yoga Halls and Charitable Hospital as isolation centres. Pujya Swamiji also appeals to all to support and strictly follow the lock down.
Join Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji on India TV with Pankajji as He appreciates India TV’s efforts to bring interfaith leaders together and emphasizes that humanity is at the core of all religions. He gives us tips to stay grounded and anchored even during Covid-19 with Yoga and Meditation and lauds Corona Warriors effusively for their tireless and tenacious efforts.
Sanskar TV recently filmed a beautiful feature about Parmarth Niketan and the divine seva that is being done here with Pujya Swamiji’s blessing and vision. Watch the video for a stunning Darshan of Mother Ganga, and to view Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji – Muniji’s and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati’s insightful comments about Parmarth in the time of Covid-19.