While the dates and timing of Govardhan Puja, Annakoot Mahotsav and Bhai Dooj were affected by yesterday’s partial Solar Eclipse, the enthusiasm and love offered by HH Param @Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati ji for the entire Parmarth family was not diminished. While wishing our global family love and light on Govardhan Puja, Annakoot Mahotsav and Bhai Dooj, Pujya Swamij said that worship and environment have to be taken together because festival and pollution, dirt and bandh cannot go together.

Pujya Swamiji said that, on that great and noble day, Lord Shri Krishna called for cooperation from everyone to lift Govardhan and save the world from the flood of Indra’s wrath. “Similarly,” He shared, “it’s time that we all use our time, talent, technology and tenacity to cooperate in making this earth pollution free. If we want to save other mountains, including Govardhan, then we have to plant more and more trees.

“Thirty-three years ago, a trust was formed for the protection of Govardhan Teerth under the guidance of Pujya Mahamandaleshwar Gurusharanand Ji Maharaj, Pujya Bhai Shri and other revered saints. We all worked together for the development of the foothills of Govardhan, and many plans were made for the protection and conservation of our environment. Work started and progressed at a fast pace, and we planted so many trees. And, now those trees are spreading their greenery everywhere. We must remember that if there is a tree, then there is humanity. If there is a tree, then there is air. And, if there is air, then there is life. To ensure that life continues, we must use our festivals as a way to change the way we think and act.

“We celebrate Govardhan Puja to remember how Lord Shri Krishna lifted the Govardhan mountain on his shortest finger for seven days to save the people of Braj from torrential rain sent by Indra. During those seven days, the Gopas and Gopikas lived happily in its shadow and, on the seventh day, Lord Krishna put Govardhan down, having saved the world from a devastating flood. From then onwards, Lord Krishna said that we must celebrate Annakoot by performing Govardhan Puja every year.

“Like Raksha Bandhan,” Pujya Swamiji added, “Bhai Dooj is a celebration of the mutual love and affection shared between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters apply tika on their brother’s forehead, perform their aarti and pray for long life. As we celebrate these three beautiful holy days, let us pray for world peace and prosperity. And, let us work together in the spirit of Lord Krishna and the people of Braj to ensure that we celebrate again and again in the years to come.