The Green Pilgrimage Network initiative was endorsed last week by some 280 primarily US-based Hindu delegates, representing more than 100 temples and Hindu organizations from across the world at the sixth annual Hindu Mandir (Temple) Executives’ Conference (HMEC) in Columbus Ohio.
The Green Pilgrimage Network is being launched on November 1 in Assisi Italy, by the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC) in the presence of HRH Prince Philip, who is ARC’s founder.
The vision is of pilgrims on all continents, and the pilgrim cities which receive them leaving a positive footprint on the earth. Founding members include Amritsar for Sikhs, Assisi for Catholics, Etchmiadzin for Armenian Orthodox Christians, Luss for Church of Scotland, Kano for Nigerian Muslims, St Albans for Church of England, Trondheim for Norwegian Lutherans. Several Hindu cities in India have expressed initial interest.
“The Green Pilgrimage Network presents an unprecedented opportunity to Hindus to reclaim the ecological vision inherent in our culture and share it with the rest of the world. Our temples must become models of care and respect for the environment, reflecting the deep values of Vedic tradition,” said Kusum Vyas, Hindu Climate Change Ambassador at the meeting.
“I am intrigued. This is a very important initiative and I will help the Green Pilgrimages team connect with locations and projects with most need and impact,” said Mr. Ashok Singhal, President of World Hindu Council.