Shraddha Parva:  A Grand Movement of Reverence for the Honored Ones

Role of Elders in Society

In Indian society, the elderly are not merely a reservoir of wisdom and experience but also the moral, cultural, and spiritual pillars of both family and community. Their guidance in life not only provides the right direction to individuals but also helps maintain discipline, tolerance, and harmony in society. Our Vedas, Upanishads, and Puranas clearly emphasize that respecting elders and serving them is an essential part of Dharma. Scriptures like Manusmriti, Mahabharata, and the Bhagavad Gita also declare that serving parents and honoring elders is indispensable for the stability of family and society.

However, it is unfortunate that with time we have distanced ourselves from our cultural values. The reign of the Mughals and the British weakened our traditions and ideals. The practice of caring for elders in the family, respecting them, and learning from their experiences gradually declined. Often, we pay homage to our ancestors after their demise, but during their lifetime we forget to behave with sensitivity and respect toward them.

Shraddha Parva is not just a social event but a bridge that connects familial, cultural, and life values. This festival reminds us that the true strength of a nation lies in its youth, and the role of guiding that strength rests with venerable elders. When the younger generation learns to respect their elders and imbibe their experiences, only then does the foundation of family and society become firm and enduring.

In today’s era, where families are shrinking and the foundation of joint families is weakening, Shraddha Parva teaches children and youth that the real beauty of family lies in unity and mutual respect. It is essential to instill in young children the values of honoring grandparents, uncles, aunts, and other elders. This is not just a family tradition but a priceless treasure of Indian culture.

When children listen to stories from their grandparents, draw inspiration from their experiences, and spend time with them, it naturally nurtures sensitivity, compassion, and a sense of duty within them. These values empower them to make wise decisions in difficult circumstances throughout life. In this way, Shraddha Parva becomes a movement that teaches future generations that elders are not merely individuals to be cared for but are true life-guides.

Shraddha Parva: A Special Festival Dedicated to Elders
Foundation of the Program

The foundation of Shraddha Parva was laid on October 2, 1997. This date is intrinsically sacred as it marks the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who taught non-violence, truth, and compassion, and also the birth anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri. It also falls just after the conclusion of Pitru Paksha, the traditional period of offering oblations to ancestors.

According to tradition, we offer tarpan to our departed ancestors. However, Shraddha Parva teaches us that serving the living parents and elders brings greater merit than offerings made to the departed souls. This festival reminds us that it is far more virtuous to spend time with our elders during their lifetime than to merely honor them after death.

When the living are content and fulfilled, the blessings emanating from their hearts enrich the lives of their descendants, eliminate any ancestral defects, and grant peace to the souls.
Keeping this noble intent in mind, for the past 27 years Vishva Jagriti Mission has been organizing this program with great enthusiasm in more than 80 centers across India and over 15 centers abroad.

Shraddha Parva: A National Celebration of Honoring the Venerable

One of the key objectives of Shraddha Parva is to recognize and honor those elderly individuals at national and international levels who have continued to make invaluable contributions to society, culture, and the nation even in the later stages of their lives. This recognition is not just a personal honor but a source of inspiration for the entire community.

Under this festival, selected venerable personalities are conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award. This honor is a salutation to their lifelong penance, sacrifice, and selfless service. By showcasing such ideals in society, not only the youth but also other elders are inspired to realize that age is merely a number, and the opportunity to serve never truly ends.

Over the past 27 years, this stage has honored numerous great personalities. Among them are former President Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, former Deputy Prime Minister Shri Lal Krishna Advani, revered saint Swami Shri Kalyan Dev Ji Maharaj, renowned environmentalist and leader of the Chipko Movement Shri Sunderlal Bahuguna, eminent thinker and former Union Minister Dr. Karan Singh, senior statesman Shri Balraj Madhok, Shri Vanjara Dattatreya, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Dr. Naresh Trehan, Dr. Shivpal Gupta, and Dr. V. P. Bhagat.

The impact of this recognition extends beyond the award itself. The true purpose is to convey the message to society that elders are its true heritage. To respect their experience, penance, and wisdom is the essence of Indian culture.

 

Shraddha Parv 

A bridge between

Elders and Youth

 

 

 

 

Today, the gap between generations is widening. The disintegration of joint families and the modern lifestyle have reduced dialogue and intimacy between elders and the young. Shraddha Parva is a sacred attempt to bridge this distance.

In this festival, young people touch the feet of their parents and elders, converse with them, and learn to stand with them in their joys and sorrows.

To further this mission, Vishva Jagriti Mission has also established Anand Vardhan Sangh (Senior Citizens Club) in each of its centers. Here, elders are engaged in intellectual, emotional, spiritual, social, physical, and vocational activities, giving them the opportunity to live with dignity. Though VJM also operates old age homes for destitute elders, its firm resolve is to ultimately end the concept of old age homes altogether and inspire children to keep their parents and grandparents at home with love and respect.

During this festival, elders are also guided that in the stage of Vanaprastha they should cultivate peace, restraint, and detachment, becoming hands that bless rather than hands that rise in anger upon the youth.

They are urged to give up anger and interference, and instead pass on their wisdom and knowledge with patience to the next generation. They are reminded that at this stage of life, they must renounce selfishness, greed, self-centeredness, and self-indulgence, and adopt tolerance so that the younger generation may embrace them with love and ease.

In this manner, Shraddha Parva acts as a living bridge between elders and the young, where both generations learn from one another and together build a better society.

Competitions and Cultural Activities

Anand Dham Ashram is not merely a center for meditation but also a hub of cultural and spiritual awakening. Here, special inspirational programs are organized from time to time, one of which is the Shraddha Parva celebration held on October 2. Under this program, great personalities who have dedicated their lives to the upliftment of society, culture, education, and spiritual values are honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

On this occasion, children from schools present various dances, plays, and cultural performances that reflect the values of social and cultural heritage. During this time, Maharaj Shri himself delivers affectionate and profound discourses, guiding the masses. He provides direction and energy to the youth, strengthens the foundation of values in children, and imparts spiritual peace and maturity to the elders.

Shraddha Parva Program 2025: A Special Celebration

A special Shraddha Parva program will be organized at Anand Dham Ashram on October 2. On this occasion, seven eminent personalities who have made exceptional contributions to the building of society and the nation will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Lifetime Achievement Award 2025 Winners

Benefits of Participating in Shraddha Parva

• The festival brings an atmosphere of love, harmony, and unity within families.
• It grants respect, dignity, and mental peace to elders.
• It nurtures a sense of duty and values in the youth.
• It enhances intergenerational harmony in society.
• It promotes Indian culture and value systems at an international level.
• It aims to transform every home into an Anand Dham.