BJP chief Nitin Nabin, CM Dhami join Ganga Aarti in Rishikesh
Synopsis
BJP national president Nitin Nabin and Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami joined the Ganga Aarti in Rishikesh on 29 May, flanked by top religious leaders including Swami Chidanand Saraswati. Nabin's address — framing the Ganga as the spine of Sanatan civilisation and calling its preservation a 'moral duty' — reflects the BJP's deepening alignment of political identity with cultural and religious symbolism ahead of the electoral cycle.
Key Takeaways
BJP President Nitin Nabin and Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in Ganga Aarti at Rishikesh on 29 May 2025 .
Nabin called preservation of the Ganga and saint traditions a 'moral duty towards future generations.' Swami Chidanand Saraswati of Parmarth Niketan Ashram highlighted Ganga conservation and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's leadership.
Senior religious figures including Swami Avdheshanand Giri , Kailashanand Giri , and Mahant Ravindra Puri attended the event.
BJP MPs Anil Baluni and Mahendra Bhatt , along with Cabinet Minister Dhan Singh Rawat , were also present.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Nabin and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday, 29 May participated in the Ganga Aarti at Rishikesh, offering prayers for the peace, happiness, prosperity, and well-being of citizens. The event, held on the sacred banks of the Ganga, drew senior religious figures, elected representatives, and devotees from across India and abroad.
Nabin on the Ganga and Sanatan Culture
Addressing the gathering, BJP President Nitin Nabin described the Ganga as far more than a river — calling it a living stream of Indian culture, faith, and Sanatan tradition that has nourished the country's spiritual consciousness for centuries. He underscored the enduring role of saints and sages in guiding society through periods of social, cultural, and ideological challenge.
'India's tradition of saints has always guided the society during difficult and adverse times. Whenever the nation faced social, cultural, or ideological challenges, saints and sages provided new energy and direction to society through their penance, sacrifice, and wisdom,' Nabin said.
He further described Uttarakhand as the soul of Sanatan culture and called the preservation of the Ganga, saint traditions, and Indian heritage 'not only a religious responsibility but also a moral duty towards future generations.'
Swami Chidanand Saraswati's Address
Swami Chidanand Saraswati, President and Spiritual Head of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, welcomed Chief Minister Dhami and other guests. He emphasised the messages of Ganga conservation, environmental protection, and service to humanity. Swami Chidanand also praised the Union government's leadership, saying that 'under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is continuously reaching new heights globally, and decisions taken in the national interest have enhanced the country's prestige worldwide.'
He described Uttarakhand as the 'land of divinity, discipline, and spiritual confluence' and acknowledged Chief Minister Dhami's contributions to the state.
Key Attendees
The Ganga Aarti was attended by prominent religious and political figures, including Juna Akhara Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri, Niranjani Akhara Mahamandaleshwar Kailashanand Giri, and Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad President Mahant Ravindra Puri. On the political side, BJP MP Anil Baluni, Rajya Sabha MP and State BJP President Mahendra Bhatt, Cabinet Minister Dhan Singh Rawat, and BJP MLA Renu Bisht were also present, alongside officials, saints, and tourists from India and abroad.
Significance of the Event
Rishikesh remains one of India's foremost centres of spiritual activity, and the Ganga Aarti at the ghats draws pilgrims and visitors year-round. The participation of the BJP's national president alongside the state's chief minister signals the party's continued emphasis on cultural and religious outreach ahead of the political calendar. Notably, Uttarakhand has positioned itself as a hub for spiritual tourism under the current state administration, with Rishikesh and Haridwar at the centre of that push.
Point of View
A state the party has held since 2017. The presence of multiple Akhara heads alongside elected officials also reinforces the party's effort to maintain close ties with influential religious institutions. Whether this translates into tangible Ganga conservation outcomes — beyond the symbolic — is a question the event did not address.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where and when did BJP chief Nitin Nabin attend the Ganga Aarti?
BJP President Nitin Nabin attended the Ganga Aarti at Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, on Friday, 29 May 2025. He was accompanied by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and several senior religious and political figures.
What did BJP President Nitin Nabin say at the Ganga Aarti?
Nabin described the Ganga as a living stream of Indian culture and Sanatan tradition, not merely a river. He called preserving the Ganga, saint traditions, and Indian culture 'not only a religious responsibility but also a moral duty towards future generations.'
Who else attended the Ganga Aarti in Rishikesh on 29 May?
The event was attended by Swami Chidanand Saraswati of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Juna Akhara Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri, Niranjani Akhara Mahamandaleshwar Kailashanand Giri, Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad President Mahant Ravindra Puri, BJP MP Anil Baluni, Rajya Sabha MP and State BJP President Mahendra Bhatt, Cabinet Minister Dhan Singh Rawat, and BJP MLA Renu Bisht.
What did Swami Chidanand Saraswati say at the event?
Swami Chidanand Saraswati, head of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, highlighted the importance of Ganga conservation, environmental protection, and service to humanity. He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, saying India is 'continuously reaching new heights globally' under his guidance.
Why is the Ganga Aarti at Rishikesh significant?
Rishikesh is one of India's most prominent spiritual centres, and the Ganga Aarti at its ghats is a daily ritual that draws pilgrims, tourists, and religious leaders from across the country and abroad. The participation of senior BJP leaders underscores the party's emphasis on cultural and religious engagement in Uttarakhand.
