The Sadhu Vaswani Mission held its 59th Annual Rath Yatra on November 22, 2025 to commemorate the 146th birth anniversary of Sadhu TL Vaswani. The three-hour procession began at 5pm and concluded at 8pm IST, transforming the streets of Pune Camp into a vibrant display of devotion. Several floats moved along the route, displaying messages of peace and compassion, while singers on the floats sang bhajans and kirtans. Hundreds of participants walked chanting holy hymns and expressing their commitment to a world free from cruelty.
A major attraction was the Rath itself—an intricately designed, spaceship-like vehicle carrying a lifelike statue of Sadhu Vaswani and a standee of Dada JP Vaswani. As the Rath travelled the 5-kilometer route through Council Hall, Poona Club, Dorabjee, Babajan Chowk, Mahatma Gandhi Road, and other major landmarks, devotees gathered on both sides of the street to catch a glimpse and offer their homage. The atmosphere was filled with emotion as Didi Krishna Kumari, Head of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission, led the procession and distributed prasad to participants and passers-by.
Two halts were made at Pudumjee Compound and Kohinoor Hotel, where Didi Krishna addressed the gathering. She highlighted Sadhu Vaswani’s message of compassion for all, urging people to observe International Meatless Day on November 25 and adopt a lifestyle rooted in non-violence.
One of the participants, Dr Vedika Ajwani, who has been carrying her little ones — aged 2 and 4 — to the Rath Yatra for the past four years, shared: “From birth we have brought them to the Yatra so we could inculcate the values of reverence, love, and compassion. We want them to immerse themselves in the tirtha-yatra, and seek the blessings of saints.”
First launched in 1966, the Yatra has grown into a major spiritual procession that brings together devotees from across the world to spread the saint’s enduring message of compassion and non-violence. Like every year, the event placed special emphasis on Sadhu Vaswani’s appeal to protect all living beings, reminding people that animals are “our brothers and sisters” and deserve kindness and compassion.
In the days ahead, the Mission will continue its celebrations with Guru Gatha 1.0, a theatrical presentation on the life of Sadhu Vaswani on November 23, followed by kirtan and satsang evenings and several service activities across the city. The week-long festivities will culminate on November 25, observed globally as International Meatless Day, with satsangs continuing till midnight and a public langar in the afternoon, open to all.
The annual Rath Yatra remains a powerful reminder of Sadhu Vaswani’s vision—a world where compassion extends beyond humanity to all forms of life, and where every being is treated with dignity and love.
