Minister Manohar Lal stated that 80 percent of the land along the Saraswati River’s course has been acquired, either through donation or purchase, to restore the river’s flow.
Minister Manohar Lal, shared that efforts to revive the sacred Saraswati River in Haryana began in 1986. The Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board was established 10 years ago to manage this critical project. Over the last decade, the Board has successfully acquired around 80 percent of the land along the Saraswati River’s route, either through donations or purchases, to eliminate encroachments. Once this process is completed, the restoration of the Saraswati River’s flow will be fully achieved.
Minister Manohar Lal made these remarks during the closing ceremony of the International Saraswati Mahotsav, organized by the Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board, at Pehowa Saraswati Tirath.
Earlier, the Union Minister toured the exhibition and Saras Mela organized by the Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board. He also inaugurated a cultural evening featuring the renowned folk artist Gajendra Phogat. During the event, he offered his congratulations and best wishes to the people of Haryana on Basant Panchami and Saraswati Jayanti.
Minister Manohar Lal highlighted that rivers have been revered as sacred for millennia, and the five elements of nature—land, sky, air, fire, and water—have always been honored as divine. Worshipping these elements instills good values, which in turn build a strong society and nation. With this belief, events like the International Saraswati Mahotsav and International Gita Mahotsav are being organized to preserve our culture and introduce younger generations to our rich heritage.
Minister Manohar Lal also mentioned that the Vedas and Puranas were written on the banks of the sacred Saraswati River that once flowed through Haryana. In acknowledgment of this historical importance, the government has renamed Bilaspur as Vyaspur, in honor of Maharishi Vyas, and Mustajapur as Saraswati Nagar.
The Union Minister further remarked that this region is known as Dev Bhoomi, and efforts are being made to preserve its cultural and historical legacy. Ongoing research on the Saraswati River will continue, and programs like the Saraswati Mahotsav are being held to raise awareness and engage the public in this significant initiative.