A special Ganga clean-up was held in Rishikesh, focusing on the Lakshman Jhula area which is home to many ashrams, yoga studios, guesthouses, restaurants and more and is frequented by thousands of pilgrims and tourists every day. This clean-up brought together under the Ganga Action umbrella two spiritual groups in Rishikesh – that of Parmarth Niketan Ashram under the guidance of Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, and that of the sangha of Pujya Prem Babaji, a revered saint whose ashram is in Lakshman Jhula. Hundreds gathered together and cleaned the both banks of Ganga early in the morning, and the group was able to collect truckload after truckload of garbage from Her banks.
This is only the beginning of a very great movement to turn Rishikesh into a model town of environmental awareness and cleanliness. Future clean-ups are scheduled which will bring together all people, whether they be from ashrams, businesses or simply residents of the area.
Click to view photos from this clean-up, and all of GAP’s clean-ups >>