On this International Women’s Day, the Shakti of Parmarth Niketan and the International Yoga Festival participated in a beautiful pledge and an equally-wonderful bhandara along the holy banks of Mother Ganga to honor women and the Divine Feminine energy!

Stopping first at the Swasth Shakti Theater, created in partnership with GIWA and the Water Supply & Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC), at Parmarth Niketan, Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji – Muniji, Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati and the women of the hour pledged to raise awareness on Menstrual Hygiene Management, ending Child Marriage and Leaving No One Behind, issues that Pujya Swamiji and Sadhviji have long been passionate about in their tireless efforts to protect and empower women.

After the beautiful pledge, the group went to the nearby ghat to participate in a special bhandara on the ghat for neighborhood residents – from sanitation workers to differently-abled and from sadhus to saints. Everyone was served a delicious vegetarian meal in honour of women, evoking the tradition that the one who provides food is the one who is seen as the Divine Feminine – the energy of nourishing and nourishment.

It was a perfect day of honouring and celebrating women and their constant contribution to the betterment of society, and a reflection on the fact that those efforts should be celebrated every day throughout the year.