Highlights:  (click on a link to go to that section): Bhagwat Katha by Pujya Indira Betiji (Jiji Visit to Cuddalore -- site of tsunami orphanage Pujya Swamiji is awarded the Bharat Vikas Parishad's Utkrishtata Samman Aarward Pujya Swamiji with Hon'ble Chief Minister & Hon'ble Governor  Release of book of mantras, shlokas and prayers Final rites puja for Late Dr. LM Singvhiji With Shri Mittalji Wisdom Tree Function in Delhi At the home of Shri Advaniji Lions' Club Function in Delhi Diwali on banks of Ganga Two divine weddings The Rishikumars perform Krishna-Leela Pujya Swami Hansdasji's function in Haridwar Pujya Swami Ramdevji's bhoomi puja function Upcoming Events: INTERNATIONAL YOGA FESTIVAL: MARCH 1-7, '08 INVITATION:  New Year's on the Banks of Ganga Conference on Yoga and Ayurveda - Feb. 20-25, 2008 Download your beautiful 2008 Weekly calendar here.

CLICK HERE TO READ/DOWNLOAD THE FULL 14-PAGE NEW YEAR  NEWSLETTER OF INDIA HERITAGE RESEARCH FOUNDATION -- READ ABOUT ALL THE UPDATES ON ALL OUR NUMEROUS PROJECTS INCLUDING TSUNAMI RELIEF, MANSAROVAR/KAILASH ASHRAMS, GURUKUL AND THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HINDUISM

September 30 - October 8 -- Rishikesh

Pujya Goswami Indirabetiji (Pujya Jiji) came to Parmarth Niketan where she delivered divine Bhagwat Katha. 

A beautiful stage and tent were erected on the banks of Mother Ganga. For 10 days, the divine song and sounds of Bhagwan Krishna filled the air of the ashram.

Pujya Swamiji and Pujya Jiji walk into the beautiful tent for the katha

	Pujya Swamiji and Pujya Jiji light the inaugural lamp and perform puja

 

	Pujya Swamiji puts the sacred tilak on Pujya Jiji at the Ganga Yagna and Aarti

 

Also, Pujya Ba, the mother of Pujya Sant Shri Rameshbhai Oza, came to Parmarth at the same time, to have Pujya Swamiji's darshan and to perform Ganga Aarti.

On the final day, several revered saints and special guests came, including Pujya Swami Chinmayanandji, head of the Haridwar ashram.

 (left): Pujya Swamiji and Pujya Swami Chinmayanandji garland Pujya Jiji.
(right): Pujya Jiji and the Katha organizers present Pujya Swamiji with a special plaque as a special honor.

On Pujya Jiji's last day we took her to Veerpur to show her the beautiful pristine land and the gurukul that is running there.  She blessed all the rishikumars as well as the sevaks and local villagers with prasad.

October 8 -- Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu,

A special trip was made back down to the site of the orphanage/school the Foundation has built for the tsunami orphans.   Sadhvi Bhagwati, Mrs. Alka Pandya and Paavani Tandon traveled there to show the facilities to a group of 18 divine souls who had come in from USA. The group came from USA on behalf of the Patel Foundation, who were the major donors -- along with Smt. Bellaben and Shri Yogeshbhai Patel -- of this divine project. . A beautiful program took place where the children performed songs and dances for the guests. Everyone was very happy and impressed. Also, Sadhvi Bhagwati met with the District Collector to chalk out plans for the continued running of the facility.

Following the program in Cuddalore, everyone drove to Chennai where a meeting and high tea had been arranged at Raj Bhavan with H.E. the Honorable Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri Surjit Singh Barnalaji.

The orphanage, which was inaugurated on the 12 May by the hands of H.H. Pujya Swamiji and H.E. Shri Surjit Singh Barnalaji, Governor of Tamil Nadu, includes dormitory facilities, school rooms, a computer center, medical room, beautiful kitchen and dining facilities, a vocational training center and more. It has been built on the same land as the previously existing home for approximately 200 widowed/abandoned ladies, which we also beautified. In this way, the orphaned children will receive, in addition to the staff, mothers, aunts, grandmothers and older sisters; the ladies will receive the priceless gift of caring for orphaned children. IHRF has also built a vocational training center for the ladies, and the new huge dining/kitchen facilities are shared by both the children and the ladies.

The Foundation has also completed the reconstruction of villages Pannithittu and Pattincheri in Pondicherry, totaling over 350 homes. Pannithittu was inaugurated in December 2005 by the hands of the Honorable Governors of Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Uttarakhand. Pattincheri, sponsored by Shri LN Mittal of London, was inaugurated in April 2007.

	The outside of one wing of the new orphanage complex

(left): the ladies from the center await the guests' arrival;
(right): the head of the center requests Sigrid Tidmore and the other guests to taste the children's lunch!

Everyone morning begins with prayer

	Bedrooms with brand new sheets, pillows, mattresses and blankets..... a fully equipped medical clinic with sick beds, a wheelchair, stretcher, all necessary medicines and doctor's table and equipment

	(left) computer center; (right) huge auditorium and multipurpose hall

Madam Padmavati (the center-in-charge) and Sadhvi Bhagwati address the gathering

(left) Alka Pandyaji and Paavani Tandon give Sigrid special birthday presents
as her birthday fell on the same day as the program
(right): Sadhvi Bhagwati with orphan children

The children watch the program in their multipurpose hall

The group in front of the computer center and vocational training center.
 

The whole group with His Excellency and Smt. Gariyaliji, the private secretary to the Honorable Governor and also the former relief commissioner, during the time of the tsunami.

October 12 - 21 -- Rishikesh , India

Following Pujya Indira Betiji's katha, there was another divine katha.   Again the area on the banks of Mother Ganga was filled with the sound and the energy of Bhagwan Krishna

 

October 14 - -- Delhi , India

Pujya Swamiji was the recipient of the Bharat Vikas Parishad's First Utkrishtata Samman. The following is the report given by Bharat Vikas Parishad:

Bharat Vikas Parishad awards its  first Utkrishtata Samman 2006-07 to two great saints of India.  A function to honour them was held  in New Delhi on Sunday, the 14th October 2007. The Award has been constituted in the memory of Parishad's Founder Secretary General Dr. Suraj Prakash.   

The two saints who shared the first year's award were His Holiness Swami Chidanand Saraswati who is the President and spiritual head of Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh (Uttrakhand) and Shri Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swami, the present pontiff of Shri Ramachandrapura Math, Gokarna (Karnataka). Both the saints have contributed greatly to Bharatiya Culture and have worked ceaselessly for its propagation in Bharat and abroad.

	Nominations received from all over the country were considered by the Selection Committee which was headed by (late) Dr. L.M. Singhvi.
	Pujya Swamiji receives the prestigious Utkrishtata Samman

To read the full report in Hindi please see:  http://www.bvpindia.com/images/utkrista_01.pdf

 

Pujya Swamiji and Pujya Shri Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamiji light the inaugural lamp.

Pujya Swamiji delivers His address

October 15 - -- Rishikesh , India

Pujya Swamiji was the Chief Guest, along with His Excellency the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand at the function of the Uttarakhand Journalists Association.  Pujya Swamiji gave a beautiful talk about the power of the media. "The media should aim not only to bring sensation but also to bring serentity, spirituality and a divine smile!" He applauded the work that many of the journalists were doing to spread the divine messages of this holy land.

October 15 -- Dehradun , India

His Excellency, Shri Sudarshan Agarwal the former Governor of Uttarakhand, opened a wonderful school for impoverished girls. Although the school had been running for a couple of years, the official inaugural function was held on the eve of His Excellency's departure from Utttarakhand to Sikkhim. It was a beautiful function where the young girl students, who came from illiterate families recited poems in both fluent Hindi as well as fluent English! Their articulation, poise and pronunciation were excellent, and everyone was very impressed at this first class school for girls who otherwise would not have had a chance.

(left): Pujya Swamiji addresses the gathering of students, dignitaries and government officials
(right): The Honorable Governor addresses the gathering

Pujya Swamiji spoke about how deeply impressed He is by the Honorable Governor's dedication to the
less fortunate and needy sections of society, particularly the impoverished girls.

October  16 -- Rishikesh, India

Mrs. Usha Shahra of Indore (wife of Shri Santosh Shahra) compiled a beautiful book of all the mantras, shlokas and chants that our young rishikumars learn into one beautiful book filled with Pujya Swamiji's photographs and inspiring sayings. The book was officially released on the 16th October.

The first copies are presented to two of the young rishikumars.

October 20 -- Rishikesh

On October 6, the world lost truly a great soul. Dr. L.M. Singhviji, a renowned jurist, philosopher, writer and thinker as well s the former ambassador from India to UK left his Earthly body.  Click here to read a beautiful piece written on Dr. Singhviji's life published in the Indian Express by Shri Sudheendra Kulkarni.

Dr. Singhviji and his entire family have been very close to Pujya Swamiji for many years, as Pujya Swamiji and Dr.Singhviji were together on innumerable occasions at international interfaith gatherings including the first opening of Russia at the Kremlin by Gorbachav when a few top leaders from across the world were called to witness the historic moment. 

On October 20, Dr. Singhviji's family came to Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh to perform his final rites (ash immersion) puja.

Late Beloved and respected Dr. Singhviji's ashes are immersed in Ganga by his son Abhishek and daughter Abhilasha.

 

	Special prayers are chanted on the banks of Mother Ganga.

 

November 3 -- Delhi:

A special program was held in Delhi at the Ashoka Hotel where Pujya Swamiji gave a beautiful discourse on the true meaning and significance of Diwali, sponsored and organized by Wisdom Tree Publications. Wisdom Tree has published Pujya Swamiji's book titled Drops of Nectar. Click here for Wisdom Tree's site.  This divine book is also available through Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.com It's a truly beautiful book filled with divine wisdom for so many aspects of our life.

In honor of the book release, Pujya Swamiji gave a beautiful talk on the meaning of Diwali. Click here  to see the article as it was published in the Financial Times. The program also included Vedic chanting led by Sadhvi Abha Saraswati and the rishikumars of Parmarth Gurukul, and meditation led by Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswati.

 

Pujya Swamiji gives His divine lecture and then releases the book with Shri Shobit Aryaji,
Publisher of Wisdom Tree

November 3 -- Delhi:

After the program at the Ashoka Hotel, Pujya Swamiji visited the home of Shri LK Advaniji where they had divine discussions on so many positive plans and projects for the betterment of Mother India and Her people.

		The Rishikumars are so happy to receive Shri Advaniji's blessings and they present him with flowers.

 

Pujya Swamiji with Shri Advaniji, his divine wife, and daughter Pratibhaji and also Shri Sudheendra Kulkarniji.

November 3 -- Delhi:

Shri Mohanlal Mittal, the respected, wise and truly dediatd father of Shri Lakshmi Niwas Mittal, and the founder of Ispat Steel, was in Delhi on he 3rd (from his home in London).  Shri Mittalji is very close to Pujya Swamiji and they frequently meet to discuss ways of bringing peace to the world, particularly through education and the youth. Shri Mittalji had been the sponsor of the United Nations Global Youth Peace Summit in New York in 2006.  As Pujya Swamiji was in Delhi on the 3rd for His function at the Ashoka Hotel, He and Shri Mittalji spent some time together discussing these issues of peace, intrfaith farmony, education and programs for cleaning and bettering the Himalayas.

 

	While talking, they also enjoyed the beautiful dancing water fountain display which flowed in tune to the sound of traditional Vedic mantras and chants.

 

 

November 4 -- Delhi:

Pujya Swamiji was the Chief Guest at the Lion's Club function on the importance of Vegetarianism. The function was also graced by the presence of several dignitaries and experts on the topic.

	Pujya Swamiji is felicitated by the Lion's Club Governor and Shri KD Bahetiji.

 

 

November 7-- Rishikesh

A beautiful couple came from Russia and wanted to undergo the sacred mundan ceremony. They requested Pujya Swamiji if our rishikumars could perform the ceremony with His blessings. After assessing thir sincerity, He agreed and their mundan ceremony was performed on the banks of Ganga. Afterwards they came to Pujya Swamiji for HIs blessings. Click here for the meaning of mundan and other sacred sanskaras

 

Pujya Swamiji gave them beautiful blessings and a divine message on how to live in a pure, pious, dedicated and divine way. 

 

November 9 -- Rishikesh:

The joyous occasion of Diwali was celebrated with great bliss and piety on the banks of Mother Ganga. We had a special Lakshmi puja following by Ganga aarti.  In the night, the young rishikumars lit fireworks and played with sparklers! The entire ashram was filled with brightly burning oil lamps.  Click here to listen to Pujya Swamiji give His Diwali message (in Hindi)

 

 

	Divine puja takes place;  Maha Lakshmi in all Her glory!

Also on the holy day of Diwali, a special CD was released. Prepared by Divine Soul Jeetubhai Khagram of London, it is an audio CD that includes the Ganga Aarti, Hanuman Chalisa, sankirtan, beautiful bhajans and Vedic mantras, all led by Pujya Swamiji! The CD was prepared in honor of the memory of Jeetubhai's beloved brother, Harishbhai Girdharlal Khagram, who passed away at too young of an age.  

	Jeetubhai and his respected father present the first CD to Pujya Swamiji, on the banks of Mother Ganga on the holy day of Diwali!

 

November 21 -- Rishikesh:

A beautiful, divine marriage took place between Kavita and Abhinav.  Kavita is the daughter of Shri DG Bagga, the former Chief Secretary of UP, and Abhinav is the son of a brigadier. The two of them live in Bombay but wanted to come and have their wedding on the banks of Mother Ganga in simplicity.

At the holy feet of Bhagwan Shiva, on the banks of Mother Ganga, they were wed, with God as the Divine Witness.

 

 

November 24-25 -- Rishikesh:

Another beautiful wedding took place on the 24th - 25th November.  Kusum Kanwar, daughter of Smt. Neelam Kanwar, of Bombay and dear Brandon of USA wed in a beautiful 2-day function.  Guests came from India and USA as well as  from parts of Europe for the event.

On the 24th evening, all of the guests and the bride's and groom's families were blessed by a special performance of Radha-Krishna by the young rishikumars. It is truly remarkable how, without a proper stage, without proper lighting or anything, they are abl to put on a performance that is so divine, so real and so compelling that every audience member has tears in their eyes!

 

 

 

	The beautiful rishikumars (yes, they're all boys!!!)

 

 

After the show Pujya Swamiji blessed the rishikumars with words of inspiration and encouragement. The children received blessings also from Pujya Mahamandaleshwarji Swami Asanganandji and Pujya Sadhvi Abhaji (who also had written and directed the drama)

 

	Pujya Swamiji blesses the newlyweds, and the USA Consul General

 

 

 

	After the wedding in the evening, Kusum & Brandon and their families took part in the divine Ganga Aarti and yagna.    (lower right): Pujya Swamiji blesses the US Consul General and his wife;

 

 

	Shri A.P. Hindujaji and his divine wife Harshaji came to Parmarth  on the 25th.   Pujya Swamiji blesses them with  beautiful flower garland

Pujya Swamiji's beautiful book on "Peace -- for ourselves, our families, our communities and our world"  was distributed to all the guests:

Shri Hindujaji, the US Consul General and the newlyweds hold copies of the divine book on how to live in peace and bring peace to the world.  Click here to download your own copy

November 26 -- Rishikesh:

Shri A.P. Hindujaji, prior to leaving, sponsored a beautiful bhandara for all of the wandering sadhus and poor people on Parmarth's ghat. After a hot breakfast, they all received warm, wool blankets as well as dakshina.

 

	Shri Ashokji serves the sadhus on Parmarth's ghat

 

 

 

November 27 -- Rishikesh:

On November 27, Shri Ravi Mehotraji,  very prominent businessman from London and a recipient of the prestigious CBE award from Her Majesty the Queen of England, organized a special 60th birthday divine celebration for his wife Manjuji here in Rishikesh on the banks of Mother Ganga.  He brought the entire family from UK and also from India together for the beautiful occasion.

	After the Ganga aarti, Pujya Swamiji blessed them with special copies of His book on Peace as well as with Ram-nam shalws so that they will always be wrapped in God's love and His name.

 

 

 

		Pujya Swamiji with the entire family.

 

 

SPECIAL FUNCTIONS

 

 

 

November 28 -- Haridwar:

November 28th was the one year  anniversary of the Maha samadhi of Pujya Swami Purandasji Maharaj, the guru of Pujya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Hansdasji Maharaj. It was also the 25th anniversary of the mahasamdhi of Pujya Swami Jagannathdasji Maharaj, the Guru of Pujya Swami Purandsji Maharaj. By amazing divine plan, the disciple took samadhi on the exact same day, 24 years later, as his Guru.

Pujya Swami Hansdasji Maharaj organized a huge, divine function to honor the passing of his Guru and his Guru's Guru.  All of the revered saints as well as social and political leaders came to pay their respects to these two Divine Enlightened masters.

left to right pictured: Pujya Swami Avdheshanandji, Pujya Swami Ramdevji, Pujya Swami Gurusharananandji, Pujya Swami Chidanandji, Pujya Swami Divyanand Teerthji (Shankaracharya, Bhanpura Peeth), Pujya Sant Shri Rameshbhai Ozaji

. .

left: Pujya Swami Avdheshanandji, Pujya Swami Ramdevji, Pujya Swami Gurusharananandji and  Pujya Swami Chidanandji

right: Pujya Swami Gurusharananandji, Pujya Swami Chidanandji and Pujya Swami Ramdevji present a special plaque to the Honorable Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Khanduriji.

 

 

	There was also a special Ganga puja by the saints as well as the Honorable Chief Minister and rishikumars from Parmarth Gurukul.

 

Pujay Swamiji with Pujya Swami Ramdevji (right) and Pujya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Hansdasji (left)

 

 

	Clockwise from right: The saints leave the pandal (function hall)); Pujya Swamiji walking on the banks of Ganga with Pujya Swami Gurusharananandji and Pujya Bhaishri; Pujya Swamiji with Pujya Swami Ramdevji.

 

November 28 -- Haridwar:

On the same day there was special function at Patanjali Yog Peeth, the center built by Pujya Swami Ramdevji. Thus, Pujya Swamiji, the saints and dignitaries went from Pujya Swami Hansdasji's function to Patanjali Yog Peeth for the inauguration of a new radiology center..

 

(left to right) Pjya Swamiji, Pujya Swami Gurusharananandji, PujyaSwami Hansdasji; Shri Ramesh Pokharialji

 

 

	(left): official opening; (right): Sadhvi Ritambharaji speaks

 

Stage at the function

 

Walking in Patanjali Yogpeeth

 

 

 

SPECIAL VISITS TO PARMARTH

 

November 11-21 -- Rishikesh:

Over 1000 members of the Swaminarayan sampradhaya including over 50 sadhus and saints came to Parmarth Niketan for a special sadhana camp. It was beautiful to see their dedication and piety. For 10 days they engaged in meditation, yagna, prayer and satsang.

 

October 18 -- Rishikesh, India

	Shri Vashpati Trivediji, the Chairman of Indian Airlines came to Parmarth Niketan for Ganga aarti and to spend the night on the holy banks of Mother Ganga, with his divine wife.

 

October 25 -- Delhi:

Shri Chaudhrey Prem Singh, speaker from Delhi Assembly came to Parmarth Niketan for Ganga Aarti and to stay the night.

 

	Shri Chaudhry Prem Singhji with his family

 

Pujya Swamiji with Pujya Rasyani Babaji, Shri Prem Singhjiand Shri Prem Singh's family.

November 1 -- Rishikesh:

H.S. Anand, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Central Government of India, came to Parmarth Niketan along with Shri Alkesh Sharma, the national project coordinator for the United Nations Development Program.

	Shri H.S. Anandji and Shri Alkesh Sharmaji perform Ganga yagna and Aarti with Pujya Swamiji.

 

	.

After the Aarti they met in Pujya Swamiji's jyopri to discuss numerous projects
 for the benefit of humanity

 

November 22 -- Rishikesh:

Mrs.  Rajani Patil, Chairperson, Central Social Welfare Board, came to Parmarth Niketan on the 22 November with friends, family and colleagues.

	Pujya Swamiji and Mataji with Mrs. Rajani Patil and friends, family and colleagues

 

Dr. Alka Patel with Mrs. Rajani Patil and her group

 

October 20 -- Rishikesh:

	Shri HL Somany and his family (the owners of Somany tiles) came to Parmarth for the divine Ganga aarti and to spend time with Pujya Swamiji. While here they distributed winter clothes to the rishikumars.   Three generations of the Somany family with Rishi Rohit!

 

 

November -- Rishikesh:

Divine Souls Clive Mayhew and Eriko Kinoshita came to Rishikesh with their family and friends. Clive and Eriko are the founders of the Yoga Aid Challenge, a wonderful project that links yoga and health with charitable and humanitarian work. Through their project and events, not only do the yoga practitioners benefit, but countless needy people around the world benefit. That is the true meaning of Yoga and Union: uniting ourselves and our practice with the world around us!

	It was also Eriko's daughter's Mayumi's birthday during their stay which was celebrated on the banks of Mother Ganga.

 

 

 

October 4 -- Rishikesh

		Former Miss Earth, Niharika Singh came to Parmarth Niketan for the divine Ganga Aarti and to have Pujya Swamiji's darshan with her family.

 

March 1-7 -- Rishikesh:

INTERNATIONAL YOGA FESTIVAL.
This is a great opportunity to practice a variety of yogic disciplines with instructors from all over the world; and, to be in the presence and learn the wisdom of the saints and sages of India. This year we have added Yoga for Children

Yoga means "union;" it is a union of breath to the body, of the mind to the muscles, and most importantly of the self to the divine. What better place to become "united" than on the sacred banks of Mother Ganga, in a land to which rishis, saints and sages have flocked for millennia? 

Email: parmarth@parmarth.com for details. See www.parmarth.org/updates/yogafestival2007 for details of last year's festival

December 31 - January 1:

NEW YEAR'S ON THE BANKS OF MOTHER GANGA Come bring in the New Year in a divine and holy way at Parmarth Niketan Ashram. End 2007 with prayer, aarti and a special yagna on the banks of Mother Ganga. Welcome 2008 with a beautiful morning walk in the jungle and a divine puja ceremony.

January 15 - February 15 -- Rishikesh:

VEDIC HERITAGE AND SPIRITUALITY COURSE
Instructors: Professors Dr. Usha & Indra Nath Choudhuri; and, Sadhvi Abha Saraswati [Mataji]

This program will include general lectures on Vedic Culture, Religion, Heritage, Philosophy and Ecology based on the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata and some literary texts like Kalidas's Shakuntala etc.; yoga asana, pranayama and meditation. Each day will conclude with Ganga Puja, Havan and Arti at sunset.

*This is a very special opportunity to take advantage of the great wisdom of one of the best known scholars on Indian/Vedic philosophy, Dr. Indranath Choudhuri the Academic Director, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.

February 20-25 -- Rishikesh:

AYURVEDA AND YOGA CONFERENCE.
This is a great opportunity to practice a variety of yogic disciplines with instructors from all over the world; and, to be in the presence and learn the wisdom of the saints and sages of India. This year we have added Yoga for Children

Yoga means "union;" it is a union of breath to the body, of the mind to the muscles, and most importantly of the self to the divine. What better place to become "united" than on the sacred banks of Mother Ganga, in a land to which rishis, saints and sages have flocked for millennia? 

January 2 - January 14 -- Rishikesh:

BEGINNERS YOGA PROGRAM: 
The Beginner Yoga program includes prayers, pranayama, Traditional Ashtanga yoga asana, Yoga in the Bhagavad Gita, Vedic Chanting, Shramadaana, and Yoga Nidra. Each day will conclude with Ganga Puja, Havan and Arti at sunset.

*Please note all courses are taught in English. For registration or information please email parmarth@parmarth.com

Click here to see Parmarth in the News

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