TWO of India’s most revered saints – His Holiness Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji (HH Pujya Muniji) and His Holiness Pujya Shastri Madhavpriyadas Swamiji – joined more than 300 guests at the House of Commons last week at a unique ceremony to “bless” the Thames and raise awareness about water preservation.
HH Pujya Muniji, president of the Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, north India, and HH Pujya Shastri Madhavpriyadas Swamiji, head of the Gurukul Parivar and the Swaminarayan Gurukul in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, led a “water blessing ceremony” at the Houses of Parliament last Friday (July 18). They were joined by Keith Vaz, Leicester East MP and chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, at the ceremony.
As well as giving thanks for the river and to pray for universal access to safe, sufficient water, the event was also aimed at raising awareness of water scarcity around the world.
Representatives of nine faiths joined a distinguished gathering of 300 people including royalty, peers, members of parliament and prominent community leaders at the event, which was organised by the Ganga Action Parivar, Gurukul Parivar and Global Interfaith WASH Alliance.
Vaz, who hosted the event, said, “Pure water is the birthright of every human being. Today, tragically, due to so many reasons, people are being deprived of their birthright.
“The next ceremony should be all together on the banks of the Ganga in Rishikesh, India, as it is so crucial to preserve and protect that national river. I am so glad to know that the government in India is so committed to that work of protecting the Ganga. I look forward to coming there and being part of that movement.”
In his remarks, HH Pujya Muniji, founder of the Ganga Action Parivar and co-founder of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, said: “In our culture and religion, water is considered a devta, a Divine One (aapo devta). Therefore, wasting or polluting water is an insult both to the Creator and to creation.
“I appreciate the wonderful work done by the people and government organisations of Great Britain to restore the Thames to a state of such cleanliness and health. As I perform this ceremony on the banks of the Thames, I remember having Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall with us in Rishikesh. I feel such a great connection to the people of England.
“I pray that we may achieve for our sacred river Ganga what you have achieved for the Thames. We pledge to work together to bring the vision of a clean and green Ganga to reality.”
Among those present at the event were Reverend Rose Hudson, chaplain to the speaker of the House of Commons; Bhai Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia of the Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha Birmingham; Zoroastrian leader Dr Rusi K Dalal; Jain leader Dr Natubhai Shah; Reverend Mark Poulson; Dr Handupelpola Mahinda Nayaka, a Buddhist leader; Kiran Bali, chairman of the global United Religions Initiative; Debbie Leach, the head of Thames21; Kevin Reid, the environmental representative for the London Assembly and Bharat Shah, founder of Sigma Pharmaceuticals.
HH Pujya Shastri Madhavpriyadas Swamiji explained the significance of the date. He said: “Today is the 18th of July. One plus eight (1+8) equals nine which, in our tradition, is a symbol of wholeness and completeness. We have nine faith leaders here to perform the sacred Water Blessing Ceremony, to bless the River Thames and to pray for the other rivers around the world.”
He added: “Launching this campaign from the House of Commons will certainly ensure that our message is spread worldwide.”
