The ‘Divine Spiritual Festival’ commenced with great fervour as Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurated the three-day event at Shri Harihar Ashram Kankhal in Haridwar on December 24. The festival holds special significance as it marks the completion of 25 years since Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdeshanand established Junakahara Acharya Peeth.
Addressing the gathering at the Shri Harihar Ashram, RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat emphasised the timeless nature of ‘Sanatana,’ stating, “Sanatana was there, is there, and will remain forever. The one that remains is Sanatana.” His words echoed the spiritual essence of the event, which aims to celebrate and propagate the eternal values embedded in the Sanatana Dharma.
The ‘Shridatt Jayanti’ programme, organised as part of the festival, reflects on the quarter-century journey of Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdeshanand’s establishment of Junakahara Acharya Peeth. The event is expected to witness spiritual discourses, cultural performances, and various activities that resonate with the essence of Sanatana Dharma.
Mohan Bhagwat shared insights into the significance of diverse ‘sampradayas’ within Bharatiya traditions, highlighting their common goal of purifying individuals. “All sampradayas in Bharatiya traditions lead to one thing, they purify you. We have to reach out,” he emphasised. Bhagwat’s message underscored the inclusivity and unifying principles embedded in the RSS’s vision for the Hindu society.
Bhagwat expressed the need for the organisation to extend its outreach to all sections of society, emphasising that the RSS is not a powerful group within the Hindu community but rather a force for organising and expanding the entire Hindu society. He stated, “Ours will not be a movement or an agitation. Ours is (a) group that will organise and expand the whole of the Hindu society. We have to go everywhere and reach out to one and all. One may agree on some things and disagree on some. But we have to connect everybody.”
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, accompanying Bhagwat, lauded the efforts of the organisers and highlighted the festival’s role in fostering spiritual values and cultural awareness. The festival serves as a platform for individuals from diverse backgrounds to come together, share their beliefs, and engage in meaningful dialogue.
The ‘Divine Spiritual Festival’ at Shri Harihar Ashram Kankhal is expected to draw attendees from various parts of the country, fostering a sense of unity and spiritual enrichment. The three-day celebration will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact, not only commemorating the achievements of Junakahara Acharyapeeth but also contributing to the larger narrative of preserving and propagating the rich heritage of Sanatana Dharma.
As the festival unfolds, participants eagerly anticipate the spiritual insights, cultural festivities, and collective harmony that will define this unique celebration of ‘Shridatt Jayanti’ at the heart of Haridwar.
