Mega Saraswati Puja held at Gaunivas

Hyderabad:  In a materialistic world where everybody is after money and material comforts, one man Dharmaraj Ranka, a 78-year-old retired jeweler, has been on the mission of protecting cow for the past 25 years. He has now embarked on a program of a  different kind, a mega spiritual programme — Mega Saraswati Puja and Annakoot Mahotsav – at Satyam Shivam Sundaram Gau Nivas located at at Gaganapahad, on the way to Shamshabad Airport.  

People praying to goddess Lakshmi for money is common.  But very few pray to Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music, art, wisdom and learning. If you have knowledge and wisdom, money will follow you. It is not to prove that knowledge is a better treasure than money. One has to work towards gaining knowledge more than money because where there is knowledge, there is light. In a nutshell, earning knowledge should be at the top of everybody’s priorities' list; the rest will follow for sure.  This is the theme of the spiritual programme, said Dhramraj Ranka.  

Satyam Shivam Sundaram Gaushala is South India’s biggest cow shelter, where 5,300 cows rescued from the slaughterhouses are sheltered.  The Saraswathi Puja was held in five-acre premises of Satyam Shivam Sundaram Cow Shelter.  Around 100o couples of all castes and 504 school kids mostly 8 to 14years from government and private schools participated in the puja.  All the participants wore the same traditional clothes to add more sanctity and piousness to the programme.  The spiritual programme was graced by 15000 people from twin cities of Hyderabad besides some from adjoining towns in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka etc.  Jain Monks also graced. 

Narendra Kumar Ram Ji Nandu, a Mumbai-based renowned Pundit and Ritualist, was specially flown into the city to conduct the Maha Saraswati Puja.  Vinod Ji from Vijayawada also joined him in performing the rituals. Along with Saraswathi Puja, Annakut(Prasadam) was held and all the 15000 people were fed sumptuously. Padmashree Awardee Sangeet Samrat, Anandji Vir Ji Shah of Kalyanji Anandji Fame, made the atmosphere enchanting with melodious tunes of his songs.  Dr. Chelmala Srinivasulu, an animal lover, environmentalist and wildlife activist, was also felicitated on the occasion and was presented Sri Prakashchand Shrimal Environmental Award 2018. He is presently working on the Indo-UK joint research project on Climate Change.  

Dharamraj Ranka runs two Goshalas (Cow Shelters) — Satyam Shivam Sundaram Gau Nivas and  Gau Seva Kendra – which provide shelter to 5300 cows.   They are South India’s biggest and well-maintained cow shelters.   He employs 100 people to take care of them, and spends Rs 30 to 35 lakh a month, collected through donations on fodder.  He has dedicated his life for the cause.