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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know News India Times (June 6, 2026 - June 12, 2026) June 12, 2026 26 India Swami Chidanand Saraswati’s 74th Birthday Celebrated With Focus On Green Environment P armarth Niketan, one of India’s largest spiritual institutions, cel- ebrated the 74th birth anniversary of its President and Spiritual Lead- er, Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji Maharaj, with an Environment Festival (Paryavaran Mahotsav) on the banks of the river Ganga. “The event brought together revered saints, spiritual leaders, environmental advocates, dignitaries, devotees and well-wishers from across India in a heart- felt tribute to Pujya Swamiji’s lifelong commitment to environmental steward- ship, service and spiritual awakening,” a June 3, 2026 press release from Parmarth Niketan noted. The traditional lighting of the ceremo- nial lamp and a sacred Mangalacharan offered by the Parmarth Rishikanya, invoking blessings for peace, harmony and ecological balance, kicked-off the event. 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 Swami Chidanand’s example. Pujya Swami Ramdevji as Master of Ceremonies Numerous spiritual leaders addressed the gathering, listed in the press release as follows: 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 Swami Ramdevji Maharaj was the Master of Ceremonies. A 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 Swami Chidanand Saraswati’s “extraordi- nary leadership, compassion and tireless dedication to environmental protection, interfaith harmony, educa- tion, humanitarian service and the preservation of India’s spiritual heritage.” The gathering took the Environment Festival and Tree Plantation Pledge, presented by Pujya Sant Muralidhar Ji Maharaj, to plant 75,000 trees in honor of Swami Chidan- and Saraswatiji Maharaj entering his 75th year. A short commemorative film on him was shown. The program concluded with a special felicitation ceremony and blessings from the assembled saints, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati Ji. “As the world prepares to observe World Environment Day, the celebra- tion 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,” the press release said. For the Live-stream of the celebrations: https://www.youtube.com/live/v6z1_ tvdU-4?si=7XROmZiQbcjPx74G “Whether it is the Kumbh Mela, Ganga Sagar Mela, Ladakh, or Assam, Pujya Swamiji has spread the mes- sage of swachhta and greenery. Pujya Swamiji’s divine example will be remembered for generations for his message of environ- mental stewardship and care for the planet,” Swami Har- ichetanandji noted in one of many felicitations offered in praise of Swami Chidanand Saras- wati, who accepted all the blessings, saying, “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 the polluted river considered sacred. “Let us now work together to make the Ya- muna 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.” He highlighted the various service initiatives being undertaken, including the Divyangta Mukt Bharat Abhiyan providing free prosthetic limbs, as well as wide-ranging environmental, educa- tion, healthcare, water, sanitation, and humani- tarian initiatives he added. He further shared that blessings and mes- sages from across India and around the world had poured in, “starting first with Pujya Morari Bapuji, Pujya Bhaishriji, Pujya Gurusharananandji Ma- haraj, Pujya Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji, and countless other revered saints, spiritual leaders, and well-wishers from around the world.” Morning Yagya. Above and below: scenes from Pujya Swamiji’s 74th Birth Anniversary. Pujya Swami Ramdevji as Master of Ceremonies. PHOTOS:PARMARTH NIKETAN By a StaffWriter