Yogi Hails BSS’s Hindutva Mission & Services at Varanasi Durga Puja Centenary.

Yogi Adityanath Hails Bharat Sevashram Sangha’s Hindutva, Spiritual Legacy and Welfare Mission at Varanasi Durga Puja Centenary.

The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister pays homage to Yugacharya Swami Pranavananda Ji Maharaj as the Sangha marks 100 years of its Varanasi branch’s Durga Puja celebrations.

Upananda Brahmachari | HENB | Varanasi | Oct 14, 2026::  Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has lauded the Bharat Sevashram Sangha (BSS) for its commitment to Hindutva, spiritual values, national service and humanitarian welfare while attending the centenary celebration of the organisation’s Durga Puja at its Ashram on Sigra Road in Varanasi.

The event brought together a large gathering of monks, saints, ascetics, volunteers and devotees associated with the Sangha’s branches across India and abroad. Addressing the gathering, Yogi praised the organisation’s contribution to religious and cultural preservation, spiritual awakening and service to society, highlighting the enduring relevance of its monastic tradition.

The centenary celebration commemorated a century of Durga Puja observance at the Sangha’s Varanasi branch, whose origins date back to the establishment of the Ashram in 1925 under the guidance of Yugacharya Swami Pranavananda Ji Maharaj. The branch began celebrating Sharadiya Akalbodhan Durga Puja in 1926, developing a longstanding tradition of religious observance and public engagement.

Yogi recalls Swami Pranavananda’s spiritual journey

During his address, Yogi Adityanath recalled the spiritual journey of Swami Pranavananda Ji Maharaj, the founder of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, and his association with Gorakshapeeth.

According to the account shared at the event, Swami Pranavananda visited Gorakshapeeth, where he received initiation from Mahant Baba Gambhirnath Ji Maharaj and practised sadhana for a period before proceeding to Kashi. He subsequently established the Sangha’s Varanasi branch in 1925, followed by the commencement of its Durga Puja celebrations the next year.

Paying homage to Swami Pranavananda, Yogi described the revered monk as a spiritual luminary of modern India who carried forward the ancient Indian Rishi tradition and Rashtravad. His remarks underscored the historical and spiritual links between the Sangha’s monastic lineage and the religious institutions of eastern and northern India.

The Chief Minister’s tribute also highlighted the continuing role of the Sangha’s monks in sustaining the organisation’s religious ideals and service-oriented activities.

A monk must never abandon Dharma for wealth

Emphasising the importance of upholding Dharma and national values, Yogi Adityanath delivered a forceful message about the responsibilities of a monk and the need to defend the nation when circumstances demand it.

He declared that an ascetic should never abandon Dharma for material gain and must remain prepared to make sacrifices for the country and its religious heritage. His remarks linked spiritual discipline with national commitment, presenting service, sacrifice and the preservation of cultural values as integral to the monastic ideal.

In a post on X, the Chief Minister reiterated his appreciation for the Sangha’s steadfastness, writing:

He also conveyed his greetings to the organisation’s monks, saints, ascetics and volunteers who participated in the centenary celebrations.

The statement reinforced his central message that religious institutions must remain faithful to their founding ideals, regardless of changing circumstances.

A century of Durga Puja, Hindu Dharma and cultural awakening

The centenary celebrations extended beyond the main commemorative ceremony. The Sangha organised a grand procession through Varanasi, bringing the city’s religious and cultural traditions into the public sphere.

A series of Hindu Dharma, Shiksha and Sanskriti Sammelans (conferences on Hindu religion, education and culture) was also held every evening throughout the Durga Puja festivities. These daily programmes provided a platform for discussions on Hindu religious traditions, cultural heritage, education and the responsibilities of society in preserving its civilisational values.

The procession and conferences formed an important part of the celebrations, reflecting the Sangha’s emphasis on combining religious observance with public engagement and cultural education.

The occasion also recalled the broader historical contribution of Swami Pranavananda Ji Maharaj, whose spiritual vision combined religious practice with national consciousness and organised service. The Sangha continues to identify the preservation of Sanatan Dharma and the service of humanity as central elements of its mission.

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_With inputs from Upendra Bharti.