Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati is a spiritual leader, motivational speaker, humanitarian, and author of the newly released #1 bestselling memoir, Hollywood to the Himalayas: A Journey of Healing and Transformation. Born to an upper-class Jewish family in Los Angeles, Sadhviji had graduated from Stanford University with a degree in psychology and was successfully working her way through a PhD when she came traveling to India in 1996 on a short adventure break from her studies. However, the power of Mother Ganga, Bharatiya Sanskriti, Sanatan Dharma and her guru HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji captivated her heart, mind, and soul, leading to her decision to live in seva and sadhana.
Since then, Sadhviji has lived on the banks of the sacred Ganga River in Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh, for over 26 years, engaging in spiritual service, wisdom teaching, sacred action, and deep spiritual practice. Sadhviji has become a renowned spiritual leader, motivational speaker, and author.
Sadhviji is Secretary-General of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance (GIWA), an international organization dedicated to harnessing the power of faith, faith leaders, and faith communities for clean water, sanitation, hygiene, environmental protection, and to abate climate change. GIWA was launched at UNICEF Headquarters in New York in 2013 in partnership with the Government of the United States and the Government of the Netherlands.
In addition to her work with GIWA, Sadhviji is President of the Divine Shakti Foundation, a non-profit organization that works to uplift and empower women and children in rural India. The organization runs a number of schools, empowerment centers and programs focused on education, healthcare, and vocational training, with the aim of promoting self-sufficiency and economic independence among marginalized communities.
Sadhviji also serves as Director of the annual world-famous International Yoga Festival at Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh. The event draws thousands of participants from across the world, uniting seekers and teachers of every color, culture, country, and creed, as well as from all of the major yoga lineages. It is also graced by India’s most revered names in spiritual leadership and has been addressed by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji and the Hon’ble former Vice President Shri Venkaiah Naiduji.
Furthermore, Sadhviji’s work has led to her appointment as Vice-Chair to the United Nations Advisory Council on Religion, as well as serving on the steering committees of the International Partnership for Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD) and the Moral Imperative to End Extreme Poverty.
She is Co-President of Religions for Peace, the world’s premier interfaith organization, bringing religious heads and faith communities together across the world.
In addition to her work as a humanitarian and social activist, Sadhviji is also a prolific author and teacher. Her memoir, “Hollywood to the Himalayas: A Journey of Healing and Transformation,” details her journey from the glamour and glitz of Los Angeles to the spiritual depths of Rishikesh. It offers a personal, honest, and insightful account of Sadhviji’s experiences, and provides inspiration and guidance for countless people around the world who seek a deeper meaning and purpose in their lives.
The veneer of Sadhviji’s glamorous childhood and upbringing hid dark secrets about sexual abuse, depression, anxiety and bulimia.
In 1996, her husband insisted they travel to India so he could continue his spiritual studies and find his guru. Sadhviji, who was a non-seeker, reluctantly agreed as she loved Indian food. In Rishikesh, India, the first city they visited, she had an unexpected, powerful, transformative experience standing on the banks of the sacred Ganga River, an experience of the Divine which brought her to her knees in tears.
As Sadhvji stood in the waters, offering her pain and anger to the rushing waters of the sacred river and finding deep forgiveness within herself, she was transformed, imbued with the unshakable belief she was destined to walk a new path in life. She had the courage to give up everything she knew and commit herself to understanding the nature of the Divine and the path to happiness and fullness.
Although she thought she had come to India to please her husband and because she liked Indian food, it was Sadhviji’s destiny to find and walk this path to enlightenment.
Sadhviji gives keynote addresses at large international forums, including at the United Nations with the Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General of the UN as well as at innumerable high-level international conferences and summits. She shares stages and platforms with luminaries including HH the Dalai Lama, Prince Charles, heads of State of India, UK and other countries as well as the world’s most renowned spiritual leaders. Her talks blend the knowledge and logic of the West with the insights, spirituality and wisdom of the East, and she is renowned as a spiritual bridge between the two cultures.
Sadhviji has received numerous national and international awards and recognition for her work with Water, Sanitation and Hygiene as well as women’s upliftment and empowerment including from the Cabinet Minister of Water Resources, Government of India as well as from the Ambassador of the United States to India. She was recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by U.S. President Joe Biden for her lifelong commitment to volunteer service.
She was also the Managing Editor for the monumental project of the 11-volume Encyclopedia of Hinduism.
Through her work and teachings, Sadhviji inspires people to tap into their own inner wisdom and discover their own unique path of service and contribution. She believes that each person has a unique purpose and destiny, and that by aligning with our true selves and serving others, we can create a more loving and compassionate world.
As a spiritual leader, Sadhviji has dedicated her life to serving others, promoting peace, and protecting the environment. Her work has touched countless lives, and her teachings have inspired people around the world to live more meaningful, purposeful lives.
Sadhviji is a true master of the spiritual realm, a beacon of wisdom and inspiration for all those seeking to elevate their consciousness and transform their lives. Her teachings are a powerful blend of ancient wisdom and modern insights, grounded in deep personal experience and a profound understanding of the human condition. She possesses a unique ability to distill complex spiritual concepts into simple, practical tools that can be easily applied to our daily lives, making them accessible to all. Her teachings are not only about gaining knowledge but about actually experiencing spiritual growth. Her approach is inclusive and non-dogmatic, and she encourages individuals to forge their own unique paths to enlightenment while providing them with the guidance, support and inspiration they need to succeed. Her teachings are not limited to the mind, but they touch the soul. She is a great spiritual teacher, one who not only teaches but also transforms.
Sadhviji is known for her ability to translate complex spiritual concepts into accessible and relatable language. Drawing on her own experience and wisdom from the Hindu scriptures, she offers practical guidance for living a fulfilling and purposeful life, grounded in love, compassion, and service. Her teachings have been embraced by people of all backgrounds, and she is a sought-after speaker at conferences, retreats, and other events around the world.
Sadhviji’s message of love, service, and compassion has resonated with people from all walks of life, and her teachings have inspired countless individuals to live more purposeful, meaningful lives. Whether speaking to large audiences or working one-on-one with individuals, Sadhviji brings a depth of wisdom, insight, and compassion that touches the hearts of all who hear her speak.
She has been featured in CNN, NY Times, Discovery Channel, and Washington Post, Associated Press, Travel Channel, BBC, NPR, Times of India, Dainik Jagran and many other renowned news networks.
In a world that can often feel overwhelming and chaotic, Sadhviji offers a powerful and inspiring message of hope and transformation. Through her work and teachings, she demonstrates the potential of the human spirit to transcend even the most difficult circumstances and to create a more just, peaceful, and loving world. Her leadership and example are an inspiration to all those who seek to make a positive difference in the world, and her teachings offer a roadmap for how we can all become agents of change in our own lives and communities.
It is no wonder that Sadhviji has become one of the most beloved and respected spiritual leaders of our time. Her unwavering commitment to service, her deep wisdom and compassion, and her ability to bridge the gap between Eastern spirituality and Western culture make her an inspiration to millions. Whether through her leadership, her writing, or her personal example, Sadhviji has touched countless lives and helped to create a more just, peaceful, and compassionate world.
In conclusion, Sadhviji’s life and work serve as an inspiration to people all over the world. She has dedicated her life to spiritual service, wisdom teaching, and sacred action, as well as deep spiritual practice. Her tireless efforts have earned her recognition and awards from national and international organizations, and she continues to inspire and empower people from all walks of life to live a life of purpose and meaning. Sadhviji’s journey from Hollywood to the Himalayas is a testament to the power of transformation and the human spirit’s resilience. Her life’s work and teachings serve as an inspiration to all those who seek to make a positive difference in the world and to live lives of service, compassion, and purpose
As she continues to serve as a beacon of light and hope for people all over the world, Sadhviji’s legacy will undoubtedly continue to grow and flourish for years to come.
