Parmarth Niketan, one of India’s largest spiritual institutions, celebrated the sacred 74th birth anniversary of its President and Spiritual Leader, HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji Maharaj, with a grand Environment Festival (Paryavaran Mahotsav) on the holy banks of the Maa Ganga. The event brought together revered saints, spiritual leaders, environmental advocates, dignitaries, devotees and well-wishers from across India in a heartfelt tribute to Pujya Swamiji’s lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship, service and spiritual awakening.
The programme commenced with the arrival and welcome of distinguished guests and revered saints, followed by the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp and a sacred Mangalacharan offered by the Parmarth Rishikanya, invoking blessings for peace, harmony and ecological balance.
The gathering also witnessed a special request to all youth and GenZ by Ganga Nandini to dedicate themselves to service of the nation and the planet, following Pujya Swamiji’s divine example.
Followed by addresses from some of India’s most respected spiritual leaders, including:
1. Pujya Yogrishi Swami Ramdev Ji Maharaj
2. Pujya Acharya MM Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj
3. Pujya Didi Maa Sadhvi Ritambhara Ji
4. Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati Ji
5. Pujya Geeta Manishi Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj
6. Pujya Mahant Ravindra Puri Ji Maharaj
7. Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati Ji
8. Pujya Sant Muralidhar Ji Maharaj
9. Pujya MM Swami Harichetanand Ji Maharaj
10. Pujya MM Swami Ishwar Das Ji Maharaj
11. Pujya Swami Dayaram Das Ji Maharaj
12. Pujya Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj
13. Pujya Swami Vedavidyanand Ji Maharaj
14. Pujya Murtimant Prabhu Ji
15. Pujya Swami Jayant Saraswati Ji Maharaj
16. Pujya Swami Shukrainath Ji Maharaj
Pujya Swami Ramdevji Maharaj led the grand celebrations of Pujya Swamiji’s Appearance Day as the Masters of Ceremony, making the event as truly historic!
A special highlight of the celebration was the virtual inauguration of Ganga Sadan and Annakshetra, further strengthening Parmarth Niketan’s ongoing commitment to serving pilgrims, seekers and communities through spiritual, educational and humanitarian initiatives.
The saints and dignitaries offered their blessings and paid tribute to Pujya Swamiji’s extraordinary leadership, compassion and tireless dedication to environmental protection, interfaith harmony, education, humanitarian service and the preservation of India’s spiritual heritage.
A defining moment of the event was the Environment Festival and Tree Plantation Pledge, presented by Pujya Sant Muralidhar Ji Maharaj, during which a grand collective resolve was taken to plant 75,000 trees in honor of HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji Maharaj entering his 75th year. The initiative symbolizes a living tribute to Pujya Swamiji’s vision that caring for nature is an essential expression of spirituality.
A short commemorative film highlighting HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji Maharaj’s entry into his 75th year and his sacred birth anniversary celebration as an Environment Festival was screened, showcasing decades of service dedicated to environmental conservation, water protection, humanitarian relief, youth empowerment and global peace-building.
The programme concluded with a special felicitation ceremony and blessings from the assembled saints, followed by a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati Ji, who expressed gratitude to all participants and reaffirmed Parmarth Niketan’s commitment to transforming devotion into action through environmental protection and selfless service.
Speaking on the occasion, participants emphasized that the most meaningful gift that can be offered in honor of Pujya Swamiji’s birth anniversary is a renewed commitment to protect Mother Earth, conserve water, plant trees and live in harmony with nature.
As the world prepares to observe World Environment Day, the celebration served as a powerful reminder that environmental protection is not merely a responsibility but a sacred duty, and that every tree planted today becomes a blessing for generations to come.
Enjoy the Live-stream of the divine celebrations:
Inspiring Quotes from our revered Saints on this auspicious occasion:
“Sirf Main Bharat Mein Nahi, Bharat Mujhmein Rehta Hai. I found the master key, every solution, every medicine, and every answer to all questions when I found my Guru. Pujya Swamiji, your Avataran Diwas is a reminder of the reason why we are here,” shared Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji
“How Pujya Swamiji was thirty years ago, he is still the same today. He is the example of disciplined living, the epitome of yogic living! May you continue to inspire countless people in the flow of Ganga, the flow of seva, and the flow of love. He teaches us to move from Swasth to Parmarth. To the epitome of Parmarth, let us celebrate your birth every day by dedicating ourselves to Parmarth, Prakriti and Sanskriti,” urged Pujya Swami Ramdevji
All revered saints joined Pujya Ramdevji in declared Pujya Swamiji as Parmarthpeethadeshwar offering him sacred pagris and flower malas as outpouring of their love and respect.
“The entire Panchayati Akhara wishes Pujya Swamiji on his Avataran Diwas. He welcomes all but is not influenced by politicians or materialism. He is the glory of our sanyas parampara!” shared Pujya Swami Ravindra Puriji
“I have had the blessing of being here for the last eleven years. Saints aren’t born; they are reincarnated. These saints are the doctors of our lives. Ganga ke peera samajhne ke liye Pujya Swamiji avatarit huye hain,” added Pujya Sant Murlidhar Ji
“Whether it is the Kumbh Mela, Ganga Sagar Mela, Ladakh, or Assam, Pujya Swamiji has spread the message of swachhta and greenery. Pujya Swamiji’s divine example will be remembered for generations for his message of environmental stewardship and care for the planet,” added Pujya Swami Harichetanandji
“When the world is in a time of uncertainty and turmoil, it is the actions of Pujya Swamiji and our saints that bring balance and stability. With great gratitude, we celebrate his Avataran Diwas (Appearance Day),” emphasized Pujya Gitamanshiji
“A saint is the embodiment of humility, compassion, and love. Pujya Swamiji has felt the pain of Mother Earth and Mother Ganga and works tirelessly to remind us to love and protect them. Serve every moment tirelessly. You will always be an inspiration to all. You have made your Guru so proud, taking Parmarth across India and around the world,” added Pujya Didi Maa Ritambharaji in her poetic and patriotic prose.
“During Bharat’s Amrit Kaal, we are celebrating your own Amrit Kaal. We both come from Daivi Sampad; in that way, we are Guru Bhai, a connection that very few know about. You are the living embodiment of this ceaseless Guru Parampara. Our scriptures teach that one daughter is equal to ten sons, and one tree is equal to one hundred sons. Without trees, there is no life, and that is why you continually remind us of our sacred duty to protect and preserve the environment,” concluded Pujya Acharya MM Swami Avdheshanand ji with his wise and divine words offering Sanskrit blessings
Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji Maharaj graciously accepted the outpouring of blessings and love with these divine, bhāv-filled words:
“I am filled with such gratitude that I am rendered speechless. I remember my time in the jungles, among the saints, with my Guru, and in the grace of Gangaji. May that grace continue to flow through me.”
He added that it pains him deeply to see our Yamuna Maiya in their current state. He urged,
“Let us now work together to make the Yamuna clean and green again within the next two years, so that Yamunaji is not only fit for bathing but also fit for drinking. I call upon all saints to join us in bringing these efforts to fruition.”
Highlighting various service initiatives being undertaken, including the Divyangta Mukt Bharat Abhiyan providing free prosthetic limbs, as well as wide-ranging environmental, education, healthcare, water, sanitation, and humanitarian initiatives he added. Emphasizing that true spirituality must be expressed through service, he called upon everyone to become active participants in building a cleaner, greener, healthier, and more compassionate society.
He further shared that blessings and messages from across India and around the world have poured in, starting first with Pujya Morari Bapuji, Pujya Bhaishriji, Pujya Gurusharananandji Maharaj, Pujya Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji, and countless other revered saints, spiritual leaders, and well-wishers from around the world.
