Context:

• ‘International Saraswati Mahotsav’ was recently inaugurated by the state government of Haryana at ‘Adi Badri ‘ in the Yamunagar district.

Key Points:

• The International Saraswati Mahotsav is a landmark cultural event organized by the Haryana government, aimed at celebrating and reviving the historical and cultural significance of the Saraswati River.
• Scheduled from January 29 to February 4, 2025, the festival will unfold across multiple key locations, including Pehowa Saraswati Tirth, Adibadri, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, and Jind districts of Haryana. The event was inaugurated by Haryana Chief Minister, who underscored its importance in showcasing India's rich civilizational heritage and fostering a sense of pride in the region's historical roots.

Key objectives

The Mahotsav is designed with several key objectives in mind:

Global attention to ancient civilization:

• The festival aims to draw international focus to India's ancient civilization, particularly the historical significance of the Saraswati River, which has been a vital part of India's cultural narrative.

Preservation of national culture:

• By celebrating the traditions and customs associated with the Saraswati River, the event seeks to preserve and promote India's diverse cultural heritage.

Promotion of Haryana's cultural heritage:

• The Mahotsav serves as a platform to highlight the unique cultural practices, arts, and crafts of Haryana, thereby enhancing the state's identity on a national and global scale.

Boosting tourism and supporting local artisans:

• The festival is expected to attract tourists, providing a significant boost to the local economy while offering a marketplace for local artisans to showcase their crafts.

Cultural and historical significance

• The Saraswati River holds a prominent place in Indian history and mythology.
• According to an ISRO report, the Vedic Saraswati rivers flowed parallel to the present-day Indus River system around 6000 B.C. As per the researchers, the river once stretched approximately 1,600 km through Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat before merging into the Arabian Sea. This historical context not only highlights the river's geographical significance but also its role in shaping the early civilizations of the Indian subcontinent.

Archaeological importance

• The archaeological significance of the Saraswati River is profound, with 633 archaeological sites identified along its path. Of these, 444 sites are located in Haryana, providing substantial evidence of the river's historical existence.
• The Survey of India and Haryana's revenue records further corroborate the river's past, making it a focal point for historical research and exploration.

Government initiatives

The Haryana government has undertaken several initiatives to revive the Saraswati River and its cultural heritage:

• Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board: Established in 2015, this board is tasked with the preservation and promotion of the Saraswati River's heritage.
   
• Water flow agreement: An agreement has been signed with Himachal Pradesh to ensure the flow of water in the Saraswati River, which is crucial for its revival.
   
• Infrastructure development: Plans are underway for the construction of a dam on the Som River, the Som-Saraswati Barrage, and the establishment of Saraswati Sarovars and reservoirs, all aimed at restoring the river's ecological balance and historical significance.