In the divine presence of Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji and Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati Ji, Indian families living in the USA joyfully celebrated Raksha Bandhan.

A sacred Satyanarayan Katha was performed, offering prayers for the health, prosperity, and well-being of Uttarakhand and its people.

With the pledge of “One Rakhi for Mother Earth,” a sacred banyan tree was tied with a rakhi, symbolizing protection of nature.

At Parmarth Niketan, on the holy banks of Mother Ganga in Rishikesh, the divine confluence of Raksha Bandhan, Sanskrit Day, and Gayatri Jayanti was celebrated with great devotion and joy.

Pujya Swami Ji shared, “Sanskrit is not just a language, but an eternal stream of knowledge, philosophy, poetry, and divine expression. Raksha Bandhan is not only about the love between brothers and sisters, but also a pledge to protect the entire creation. Let us tie a rakhi to Mother Earth—vowing to protect our water, forests, land, and all living beings.”

On Gayatri Jayanti, he added, “The Gayatri Mantra is not just a prayer, it is the awakening of consciousness—purifying our intellect, filling our hearts with compassion, and giving purpose to our lives.”

Under the Rakhi for Mother Earth Campaign, sacred rakhis were tied to trees, along the banks of the Ganga, and to the holy Earth itself—sending the message that nature is our true sister, whose protection is our shared duty.

On August Kranti (Quit India) Day, Swami Ji reminded, “On 9th August 1942, Gandhiji’s call of ‘Quit India’ gave a decisive momentum to India’s freedom struggle. This day is an eternal symbol of sacrifice, courage, and unity.”

Let us allow this confluence of love, language, and prayer to flow into our lives, and build a Bharat that takes pride in its traditions while offering spiritual leadership to the world.