Ganga Awareness & Aarti Workshop at Parmarth Niketan

Parmarth Niketan, in collaboration with Namami Gange, the Jal Shakti Ministry of the Government of India, Arth Ganga initiative, Ganga Action Parivar, and the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, organized a groundbreaking Ganga Awareness and Aarti Workshop. This significant initiative was conceptualized during the visit of Hon’ble Jal Shakti Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawatji to the Parmarth Ganga Aarti on November 29th, prior to Namami Gange’s ‘Run for Unity’ event.

The curriculum and training modules for this workshop were carefully developed by Parmarth Niketan and Ganga Action Parivar in alignment with Namami Gange, Arth Ganga, and the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India’s mission. The aim was to emphasize the national and global importance of preserving and protecting cultural assets such as the Ganga Aarti, transcending its religious significance and transforming it into a catalyst for social change. This initiative also aimed to instill a deep sense of pride in our nation ‘Bharat Mata’, and Ganga Maiya among every citizen of our country.

The two-day training took place on December 1st and 2nd, with participants arriving on November 30th. A total of 32 participants from Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, representing 16 ghats from various cities, including Prayagraj, Devprayag, Champawat, Chitrokoot, Aligarh, Buxar, and more, eagerly participated in this unique and transformative training program. The event commenced with morning yoga practice, followed by a sacred yagya and a light sattvic breakfast at the Ashram.

The participants, already leading aartis in their respective regions, displayed immense enthusiasm and curiosity to be part of this unprecedented training. The program was inaugurated with the blessings of Param Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, in the virtual presence of DG Namami Gange Ashok Kumarji and Advisor Shri Jagmohan Guptaji. Smt. Priyanka Jhaji, representing Namami Gange as an environment expert, and Ganga Nandiniji, representing Ganga Action Parivar, played vital roles in moderating and curating the program.

The inauguration was graced by Shri Ashok Kumarji, DG Namami Gange, Shri Jagmohan Guptaji, Advisor to Namami Gange, and HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, President of Parmarth Niketan, along with other officials from Namami Gange. Participants from numerous ghats across Northern India united from different cities and states to partake in this special two-day training program, designed to inspire, motivate, and activate them as agents of social transformation, behavior change, and connection to Mother Ganga.

Through this collective effort, we aim to create a ripple effect of positive change and foster a deep sense of reverence and responsibility towards the sacred river Ganga.