International Saraswati Mahotsav kicks off with focus on India’s civilisation

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini inaugurated the International Saraswati Mahotsav-2025 in Adi Badri, the origin of the Saraswati, in Yamunanagar district on Wednesday. The festival, scheduled from January 29 to February 2, 2025, is set to draw global attention to India’s rich civilisation and aims to preserve the nation’s culture and traditions for future generations.

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Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister explained that according to the Mahabharata, the Saraswati originally emerged from Adi Badri, located below the Shivalik Hills. “The river once flowed through Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat for around 1,600 km before merging into the Arabian Sea. However, over time, it disappeared,” he said.

Highlighting the river’s historical importance, Chief Minister Saini credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for initiating efforts to revive the Saraswati by linking it to the Narmada and Sabarmati when he was Gujarat’s Chief Minister. “Similarly, efforts are underway by the Haryana Government to revive the Saraswati by connecting rivers, constructing Saraswati Sarovars and reservoirs,” he said.

The Chief Minister revealed that of the 633 archaeological sites along the river’s path, 444 are in Haryana. “The Survey of India and Haryana’s revenue records provide clear evidence of the river’s historical existence. Therefore, our government is committed to reviving it,” he added.

Saini emphasised the BJP government’s proactive role in the river’s restoration since 2014. “In 2015, we established the Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board to further this cause,” he said. Furthermore, Haryana has signed an agreement with Himachal Pradesh to ensure a perennial flow of water in the Saraswati. This includes the construction of a dam on the Som, the Som-Saraswati Barrage and a reservoir.

On the occasion, Chief Minister Saini, along with Cabinet Ministers Shyam Singh Rana and Krishan Kumar Bedi, announced a grant of Rs 11 lakh each for the Adi Badri Gaushala. The vice-chairman of the Haryana Saraswati Heritage Board, Dhuman Singh Kirmach, was also present.

Additionally, Chief Minister Saini laid the foundation stone and inaugurated 29 projects worth Rs 54.71 crore in Yamunanagar district as part of the event.