A special “Shri Balaji Sarvagrah Dosh Shanti Yagya” was organised at the Moni Teerth Ashram in Ujjain on Tuesday night, with devotees from across the country participating through online platforms. The organisers said the decision to conduct the religious event virtually was inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to conserve fuel and promote digital participation.

Social media influencer-turned-sadhvi Harsha Richhariya, now known as Harshanand, and Mahamandaleshwar Swami Sumananand Giri Maharaj performed the rituals and offered prayers during the yajna dedicated to Lord Balaji and Lord Hanuman.

Rituals Performed Traditionally

The yagya was held at the Moni Teerth Ashram located on Mangalnath Road in Ujjain. Organisers said Vedic rituals and offerings were performed with traditional chants for planetary peace and spiritual well-being. The ceremony was conducted under the banner of “Book My Katha”, which arranged the digital live streaming of the event for devotees who could not travel to Ujjain.

Devotees Joined Online

According to the organisers, devotees from cities including Delhi, Bhopal, Indore, Noida and several parts of Uttarakhand joined the ritual virtually. A live feed was provided through digital platforms, allowing participants to watch the prayers and join the ceremony from their homes. Organisers claimed that interest in online religious events has increased significantly in recent years, especially among people unable to travel due to distance, health concerns or time constraints.

PM Modi’s Appeal Cited

Speaking during the event, Harshanand said the online format was adopted in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for fuel conservation and the promotion of Digital India initiatives. She said virtual participation in religious activities can help reduce unnecessary travel, save fuel and support environmental conservation efforts. According to organisers, the initiative was aimed at combining spirituality with responsible resource usage.

Significance of Jyeshtha Tuesdays

Mahamandaleshwar Swami Sumananand Giri Maharaj said Tuesdays in the Hindu month of Jyeshtha hold special religious importance. He stated that special offerings and chants were performed for “Sarvagrah Shanti”, which devotees believe helps remove planetary obstacles and brings positive energy. He added that rituals dedicated to Lord Hanuman and Balaji during this period are considered spiritually beneficial by followers.

Rise of Digital Religious Events

Online religious events and virtual darshan services have expanded rapidly over the past few years, particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic. Several temples and spiritual organisations now conduct live-streamed rituals, kathas and prayer ceremonies to connect with followers across the country and abroad. Religious organisers believe digital platforms have widened access to spiritual events and increased participation among younger audiences familiar with online services.

Bookings Received Nationwide

The organisers said devotees from multiple states had registered in advance for the special yajya conducted on the second major Tuesday of the Jyeshtha month. The ceremony focused on planetary peace, spiritual positivity and traditional Hindu rituals. Limited physical attendance was allowed at the ashram, while a much larger audience joined through the live online broadcast, organisers added.

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