‘Peace Tree Planting’ at the Alley Pond Environmental Center in Douglaston, Queens, NY.

On the occasion of Swamiji’s visit to New York, as a part of Swamiji’s 2013 World Peace Tour, Sri Madhavananda World Peace Council and Yoga in Daily Life - New York, organized a ‘Peace Tree Planting’ at the Alley Pond Environmental Center in Douglaston, Queens, NY. We were honored and blessed with the presence of two of Swamiji’s fellow Mahamandaleshwars from the Maha Nirvani Akhara, Swami Harishchander Puriji from Shiv Shakti Peeth Temple in Hollis Queens, NY and Swami Vivek Puriji from Croatia, as well as Mr. Bawa Jain, Secretary General at World Council of Religious Leaders.

Swamiji planted a native North American maple tree (Acer Rubrum) as the 87th Peace Tree planted all over the Globe since 2003. This event took place on the 25th of April, very auspicious constellation of the full moon, Hanuman Jayanti festival and Thursday a day of a Jupiter. During this event we witnessed a special blessing when a stone in the form of a Shiva Lingam was discovered in the soil while preparing for the planting. Swamiji blessed the Shiva Lingam and with mantra chanting, both the Lingam and Peace Tree were initiated with the power of healing, granting wishes and bringing peace into the hearts of anyone who stands before it.