Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Ji gets grand welcome in Varanasi

Metro India News | VARANASI

A grand welcome was accorded to Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Ji Maharaj upon his arrival in Kashi as part of the 81-day “Gavishti Gauraksharth Dharmayudh Yatra” that began from Gorakhpur. Devotees welcomed the Shankaracharya with flower showers, drum beats and loud chants of victory at various locations. A large number of women devotees also participated by carrying out a Kalash Yatra.

A special investigative report prepared by former CBI Director M. Nageswara Rao and noted social activist Ritu Rathore on the Prayagraj Magh Mela incident (dated 18 January 2026) was formally presented to Shankaracharya Ji Maharaj. During the Gau Sabha held in Varanasi, a large gathering collectively chanted the Vedic mantra “Aham Hanmi Vritram Gavishtau” and took a firm resolve for cow protection. In his fiery discourse, Shankaracharya Ji Maharaj said that the biggest challenge before Hindu society today is to identify internal enemies who wear the guise of Hindus.

He strongly criticized the export of beef under the name ‘Beef’, pointing out the deliberate mixing of cow meat with buffalo meat. He also condemned political leaders who publicly display religious symbols but support or remain silent on cow slaughter. Shankaracharya Ji declared that those who vote for cow-slaughter-supporting parties or candidates also incur the sin of cow killing.

He announced that if the government does not take concrete steps for cow protection by the end of the 81-day yatra, a major next phase of the movement will be launched on 24 July in Lucknow with an “Akshauhini Sena” (2,18,700 participants). On this occasion, Senior Sangh and BJP leader from Mirzapur, Manoj Srivastava announced his decision to leave the BJP and fully dedicate himself to Shankaracharya Ji’s cow protection movement.