A DIVINE Bhagwat Katha began on Tuesday (5) at the Parmarth Niketan Kumbh camp in north India, and was followed by a call to protect rivers.
The event was attended by His Holiness (HH) Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji (HH Pujya Muniji), president of Parmarth Niketan; Pujya Radhanath Swamiji of Govardhan Eco Village, Mumbai; Pujya Mohanji, founder of the Mohanji Foundation; and Acharya Pujya Anurag Krishna Shastriji (Kanhaiyaji), who will be leading the katha.
Pujya Shastriji is a scholar from Vrindavan and he will be singing the discourse from February 5-11.
The inauguration was also attended by Acharya Devendra Shastriji, Ujjain; Heriberto, Roots of the Earth; Sudhir Namanrao Dive, private secretary to minister Nitin Gadkari, and justice Umesh Sirohi.
The katha was followed by a march to the banks of the Sangam - the confluence of the holy rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati - for a rally that urged devotees to protect rivers.
Leading devotees in a pledge to protect river Yamuna, HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji said: “Here on the banks of the Sangam of Yamuna and Ganga and Saraswati, let us pledge together to protect our water, in order to protect our future. It’s so wonderful to have our saints and people from so many parts of the world coming together to be of service to this cause of protecting our rivers. Without water, there is no Sangam, there is no Prayag.”
Pujya Mohanji called HH Pujya Swami Saraswatiji a source of inspiration and said: “He is always serving and acting for the welfare for all. Today with Him, it’s truly a great opportunity to enjoy the Bhagawat Katha being delivered here during the Kumbh – there cannot be a better place and sacred space.”
Damian Talbot