MY MEETING WITH HIS HOLINESS SWAMI CHIDNAND SARASWATI

It was the evening of June 13th 2013, on our way back from the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple; about 40 Kms from Rishikesh, we stopped over at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh, the person at the office advised me to stay back till the “Ganga Aarti” held at about 6.30 PM each day preceded by recital of Hanuman Chalisa and Bhajan by the President of Parmarth Niketan, His Holiness Swami Chidanand Saraswati. We adhered to his advice and we sat on a platform opposite the Parmarth Niketan, on which is mounted a majestic statue of Lord Shiva (about 10 ft high statue) (The mighty Ganga was virtually overflowing it on 16th , 17th June,2013 after very heavy rains which hit the State of Uttarakhand and was seen all over on TV and News). Sharp at 6.30 PM Swamiji arrived on the banks of River Ganga and started reciting the revered Hanuman Chalisa in a most splendid manner a kind of which I had never heard ever before. The crowd of about 800 – 1000 people on the banks of Ganga, with lovely breeze blowing were spell bound by the recital. The Bhajan was followed by the most melodious and spectacular Ganga Aarti. Just before the Ganga Aarti, Swamiji in a most humble manner spoke to the people about their duty towards environment protection; encouraged all present to give importance to tree plantation and above all save the Holy River Ganga from incessant pollution. He spoke from the Heart, immediately I felt motivated to meet him. As the wish of God Almighty would have it ; the moment I introduced myself to Swamiji, there was a connect and he invited me along with my family to his serene Vatika where an interaction of about half an hour with him was most satisfying. Here was a noble soul committed to the cause of mankind, practically advised people to worship their God, but to be equally conscious of their obligation towards the society; themselves and the environment and the world as a whole. We had Prasad at the Parmarth Niketan that evening and Swamiji affectionately wanted me again the next evening at the Aarti but with a bigger role to take Sankalp for the cause of save the River Ganga Campaign. As willed I had a splendid experience the next evening again with Swamiji, received the Rudraksh Plant from him and had the occasion to speak to several hundred people present on the banks of our Holy and Mighty River Ganga. An experience always to be cherished. Jai Gange !!!