CM Nayab Singh Saini : The festival will be celebrated from January 29 to February 2, 2025.
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini inaugurated the International Saraswati Mahotsav-2025 at Adi Badri, Yamunanagar, on Wednesday. The festival will take place from January 29 to February 2, 2025.
On this occasion, CM Nayab Singh Saini also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 29 development projects worth ₹54.71 crore. This includes the inauguration of 15 projects valued at ₹26.71 crore and the foundation stone laying for 14 projects worth approximately ₹28 crore.
Speaking at the event, CM Nayab Singh Saini highlighted that the International Saraswati Mahotsav is being launched at Adi Badri, the origin of the Saraswati River. The festival aims to bring global recognition to India’s rich civilization while preserving cultural and traditional heritage for future generations.
He further explained that, according to the Mahabharata, the Saraswati River originally originated from Adi Badri, situated at the foothills of the Shivalik range. The river once flowed through Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat for about 1,600 kilometers before merging into the Arabian Sea. However, over time, it gradually disappeared.
Efforts to Revive the Saraswati River
CM Nayab Singh Saini emphasized the significance of the Saraswati River, stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated efforts to restore it by linking it with the Narmada and Sabarmati rivers during his tenure as Gujarat’s Chief Minister. Similarly, the Haryana government is actively working on reviving the Saraswati River by interlinking rivers, constructing Saraswati Sarovars, and building reservoirs. Of the 633 archaeological sites identified along the river’s path, 444 are located in Haryana. Evidence from the Survey of India and Haryana’s revenue records strongly supports the historical existence of the river, making its revival a key priority for the state government.
CM Nayab Singh Saini noted that after the BJP government came to power in 2014, a major step toward restoring the river was taken with the establishment of the Haryana Sarasvati Heritage Development Board in 2015. Scientific research has confirmed the presence of Saraswati’s traces in the Adi Badri and Ghaggar regions. Based on this, a comprehensive plan has been designed to bring the river back to the surface. As part of this initiative, 18 bridges have been constructed over the Saraswati River in Kurukshetra and Yamunanagar. Additionally, 111 heritage sites, including temples and river ghats, have been restored. A pipeline has also been installed to divert water from the Som River into the Saraswati Sarovar at Adi Badri.
Agreement with Himachal Pradesh for Continuous Water Flow
CM Nayab Singh Saini announced that the Haryana government has signed an agreement with Himachal Pradesh to ensure a steady flow of water in the Saraswati River. Under this initiative, a dam is being constructed on the Som River, along with the development of the Som-Saraswati Barrage and a reservoir. Additionally, measures are being taken to direct rainwater into the river’s catchment area. To maintain the purity of the Saraswati River, 25 liquid waste management projects have been set up in Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, and Kaithal for proper sewage treatment.
On this occasion, CM Nayab Singh Saini, along with Cabinet Ministers Sh. Shyam Singh Rana and Sh. Krishan Kumar Bedi, announced a grant of ₹11 lakh each for the Adi Badri Gaushala.
During the Mahotsav, the Chief Minister also planted saplings. The event featured cultural performances by children and a painting competition on Maa Saraswati.
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Sh. Shyam Singh Rana, Social Justice, Empowerment, SCs & BCs Welfare and Antyodaya (SEWA) Minister Sh. Krishan Kumar Bedi also shared their views during the festival. Vice Chairman of the Haryana Saraswati Heritage Board, Sh. Dhuman Singh Kirmach, was also present at the event.