Pujya Swamiji Addresses Govardhan Puja Attendees

During the very special Goverdhan Puja ceremony at Parmarth Niketan Niketan recently, Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji – Munijii beautifully-shared how the holiday is a symbol of how Lord Krishna emphasized the importance of not only revering but protecting and preserving the natural creation.

He shared, “Our mountains, our trees, our animals – all are part of divine creation.”

Narrating the story associated with the celebrations He added, “When Lord Indra sent torrential rains to punish the people of Goverdhan for not worshipping Him, it was Lord Krishna and Mother Nature that protected them. To honor the natural world for its protection of humanity, we must in turn protect nature. We must realign our priorities to provide the same protection and conservation of nature that it provides us.”

Pujya Swamiji inspired everyone to pledge, as the day also marked the Hindu New Year, that we must say no to single use plastic and do our vital part in ensuring a Swachh Rishikesh, Swachh India.

The holiday was celebrated with a special Annakot Pooja that included a delicious feast offered first to Lord Krishna and then served to everyone else. In attendance in addition to Pujya Swamiji, were Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati and a host of devotees, local leaders, citizens and Parmarth Rishikumars, all of whom came together to share the bounty of the feast, as well as to show their commitment to becoming guardians of nature, as nature has always been our guardian.