At Parmarth the Holiday Season was celebrated with great spirit of giving back.
There were special bhandaras (large free feasts for all), havans (sacred yagna purification ceremonies), divine Ganga Aarti, inspiring blessings, satsang, blanket distribution, fruit distribution and more during the last few days. These are daily occurrences at this Himalayan abode, which seemed especially special and meaningful in the context of the holiday season, as pilgrims and devotees came with their families and loved ones to be on the banks of Mother Ganga and experienced first hand the joy of giving is truly the joy of living.
When we focus on #giving then not only our #holidays but everyday can become a #HolyDay. Wishing everyone a #MerryChristmas & a very happy #SeasonofGiving. Let us also pledge to protect & preserve trees, to be like them, giving & serving all. Watch & share https://t.co/MNxUSG04o9 pic.twitter.com/NZZhGbcxuh
— Sadhvi Bhagawati (@SadhviBhagawati) December 26, 2018
It has been so beautiful to welcome our global family from across the world to be together during this season.
Also joining us this weekend were Kishore and Manju Lulla, heading Eros International, celebrating the life of late Arjan Lulla, with Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji – Muniji, Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati and the Parmarth Rishikumars on the beautiful Shiva Ghat. They offered a deeply love-filled tribute to Shri Arjanji, who had celebrated his 75th birthday at Parmarth Niketan, in 2009, and distributed warm blankets to the sadhus and people who sleep out on the streets and on the ghats in the cold.
There was also a beautiful bhandara in which hundreds of sadhus, saints, rishikumars and others were fed on the banks of Ganga.
The Sivoham group, as they completed their visit at Parmarth, held a special sacred morning yagna and also distributed special gifts. In the evening there was a beautiful distribution of fruits to the Rishikumars by Laurie Larson and Dr Akshay Shah, renowned doctor from Michigan, his wife Asha and his daughter Abhilasha. During the Ganga Aarti, pilgrims received special blessings and were inspired to pledge to plant trees, protect our planet and celebrate our holidays by giving back.
All of the families expressed their joy and happiness in offering back, serving and giving at this special time of the year and were grateful to experience how everyday can be a season of giving, loving and living.
What to know what is the Hindu equivalent to #SantaClaus? Watch this special, inspiring, thoughtful & uplifting Satsang by @SadhviBhagawati: https://t.co/hgGrRFa0XG #MerryChristmas #SeasonsGreeting #HappyHolidaysToAll #ChristmasWishes #Karma #foodforthought #PeaceAndLove pic.twitter.com/1B5IVW2Wwy
— Parmarth Niketan (@ParmarthNiketan) December 25, 2018
#MerryChristmas to our global family celebrating #Christmas Sending light, love & prayers for peace from the banks of Mother Ganga. May our holidays be holy days – filled with the presence of the Divine & may the #SeasonOfGiving become our way of living, every day of the year. pic.twitter.com/AydzcaKgPO
— Sadhvi Bhagawati (@SadhviBhagawati) December 25, 2018
