University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Patrick Gallagher participates in Ganga Aarti at Rishikesh

New Delhi: University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Patrick Gallagher recently participated in the aarti puja ceremony on the banks of the Ganga river in Rishikesh. The ritual held special significance for the University’s delegation traveling throughout the country, as the ceremony was directed by the founder and spiritual leader of Pittsburgh’s Hindu Jain Temple, Swami Chidanand Saraswati, who now leads the Parmarth Niketan spiritual retreat center on the sacred river at the base of the Himalayan mountains.

Hundreds of pilgrims and local residents were on hand to watch Chancellor Gallagher and the University of Pittsburgh delegation light lamps during the ritual honoring the Ganga.

The Parmarth Niketan center is a non-sectarian institution that promotes interfaith dialogue and resource conservation programs dedicated to preserving the sacred river.