Tag: Mahakumbh 2025

‘Maha Kumbh 2025 Will Be A Gem In The Crown Of Sanatan Culture’

By LokMarg

Indra Kumar Singh, a retired government engineer and a native of Prayagraj, says that the preparations and dedication to hold the festival are unprecedented. His views:

I consider myself fortunate to have been born in this Sangam (confluence) city. I was raised here, studied here and worked here too. Thus, I have been a witness to the Kumbh celebrations for many decades. I can vouch for it that this year the preparations made by the government are unprecedented, better planned and at a much larger scale than in the past.

I have no doubt in my mind that Maha Kubh 2025 will turn out to be the most organized and spectacular event of this century. Not just the Mela Kshetra (a temporary Kumbh township brought up at the Sangam of the Ganga, the Yamuna and the mystical Saraswati), the entire city has adorned a new and rejuvenated look – be it roads, parks, cleanliness, walls murals or the entire public infrastructure. The city is abuzz and thrilled as if we would be entering in a new era on this festival.

Let me give an example from my own locality. In the last Maha Kumbh which was held in 2013, I had to literally walk about 30 km to reach the Sangam venue to perform the holy dip ritual. Because of that experience, I avoided the holy dip on other holy Kumbh congregation. However, this time a corridor has been constructed from the Ghat of river Ganga (that is adjacent to the colony where I live) to the Sangam and e-vehicles have already started plying on this corridor to ferry devotees and tourists.

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I would also like to recall a horrific incident that took place due to the sheer negligence of the then (Samajwadi Party) government at one such festive occasion. There are two interstate bus terminals situated in the heart of the city. Buses for across the state and other parts of the country operate from these two terminals. During the previous Maha Kumbh, the government, even while the festival was being held, abruptly shut down these terminals and shifted the buses towards the outskirts of the city.

Prayagraj city being decked up

This misjudgement caused untold hardships to the devotees visiting or leaving Prayagraj for and after the dip. The devotees were then forced to turn towards the central railway station and since the platforms were already packed to capacity, a stampede took place resulting in the death of about 50 devotees. The apathetic government of the day could not care less.

This year the story is different. We have a sensitive government in place and I look forward to take part in the event. Media reports say the budget of this Mela is three times more than that of 2013 (about ₹6,000 crore). In the leadership of CM Adityanath Yogi, preparations for Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj have been in full swing to provide a grand experience to the saints and devotees. A record number of over 40 crore devotees are expected to take the holy dip on the auspicious occasion that will take place after a period of 144 years!

We, as the natives of the city and true Illahabadis, have also resolved to take up the moral and social responsibility and extend our support in all possible form to make the event a great success. I am sure this Maha Kumbh will prove to be a shining gem in the crown of India and our Sanatan festive culture.

As told to Rajat Rai

Mahakumbh 2025: Akharas Take Out Shobha Yatra

By LokMarg

An atmosphere of spiritual fervour an devotion has filled the air in Prayagraj as the much-awaited Maha Kumbh Mela draws near.

In preparation for the event, various Akharas on Saturday took out a grand Shobha Yatra before entering the Maha Kumbh camp. The procession was a vibrant display of devotion, with sadhus smeared in holy ash, adorned with garlands, and riding horses.

One of the prominent Akharas in the procession was the Niranjani Akhara led by the Acharya of Niranjani Akhara who was seated atop an open-top vehicle. Several other sadhus, carrying the flags of the Akhara, walked alongside. Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti was also part of the procession.

Huge crowds lined the route, eagerly seeking a glimpse of the revered sadhus, while flowers were showered in a display of reverence and celebration. Niranjani Akhara is known for its focus on yoga, meditation, and the search for spiritual wisdom.

Speaking to ANI, former Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti urged people to visit the Mahakumbh Mela.

“Today, the Panchayati Akhara Shri Niranjani is entering this Mahakumbh area, and as you can see, there is not a single street where devotees are not gathered. This is the uniqueness of Bharat. Sanatan Dharma is that which unites everyone. This Mahakumbh will be even grander and more divine than the one in 2019. I appeal to the people of the country to come and witness this moment.”

Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti also criticized Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav, saying, “I have witnessed the Kumbh during Akhilesh’s time as well as during his father’s time. Akhilesh never attended the Kumbh, and the responsibilities of the Kumbh were given to someone who had no faith in Sanatan Dharma.”

A seer of the Niranjani Akhara told ANI, “Today, there is the Nagar Peshwai and Chawni Prawesh of the Niranjani Akhara. Today, our Akhada will tour the entire town and enter the Chawni.”

Another seer from the Niranjani Akhara said, “Today, all our Naga Sanyasis of the entire Niranjani Akhara are entering the Chawni. The meaning of Chawni entry is that the Naga are going to their cantonment.”

Another seer added, “I first pay my respects to the Naga Sanyasis who have come here from Himachal. I also extend my heartfelt blessings for the leadership of Panchayati Akhara Shri Niranjani Akhara.”

Seers from several major akhadas have already arrived at the campsite, including Atal Akhara, Mahanirvani Akhara, Niranjani Akhada, Ahwan Akhada, and Juna Akhada, the largest Akhada in the Sanyasi tradition.

The Mahakumbh, held once every 12 years, is scheduled to begin on January 13 and conclude on February 26 in Prayagraj. The main bathing rituals, known as the Shahi Snan (royal baths), will take place on January 14 (Makar Sankranti), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), and February 3 (Basant Panchami).

Uttar Pradesh Police has deployed underwater drones and installed 2,700 AI-enabled cameras in and around the Mahakumbh campsite area to enhance security.

Uttar Pradesh Minister JPS Rathore said that Prayagraj is fully prepared for the Mahakumbh and expects over 45 crore devotees to attend the event.

“Prayagraj has been completely prepared to welcome people to the Mahakumbh. This time, the Kumbh has been arranged and equipped with technology. We expect more than 45 crore devotees to come to witness the Maha Kumbh. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has spoken to the saints and sages and has given the name ‘Amrit Snan’ to the ‘Shahi Snan.’ Many saints and sages will attend, and we will all be blessed by seeing them,” Rathore told ANI.

The Uttar Pradesh Culture Department will set up 20 small stages at key locations across Prayagraj, allowing tourists, devotees, and locals to experience the country’s diverse cultural heritage over 45 days. Folk dance forms from various states across India will be performed on these stages. (ANI)

Samajwadi Party Elections

Akhilesh Pooh-Poohs BJP Preparations For Mahakumbh 2025

By LokMarg

Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleging misgovernance in the upcoming Prayagraj Mahakumbh Mela 2025.

Taking to social media X, Yadav said that out of 22 only nine pontoon bridges in Prayagraj were fit for traffic and the rest of them were in bad conditions and also pointed out that the BJP had only done 40 percent of their work.

“Prayagraj Maha Kumbh 2025: Special news bulletin on BJP’s misgovernance mode, Date: December 26, 2024:Correspondent: PDA journalist. News: Out of 22, only 9 pontoon bridges are fit for traffic, the remaining nine are in bad condition. This means that after a year-long exercise, only 9 out of 22 pontoon bridges have become traffic-worthy, meaning only about 40% of the work has been completed,” the post read.”

Further, the SP Chief questioned how the remaining bridges would be built and how the control and movement of the crows would be possible with only 20 days left for the Mahakumbh.

“Now when only 20 days are left for this mega event, how will the remaining bridges be built and how will crowd control and movement be possible? The BJP government should take this very seriously,” he questioned.

Earlier, the UP government announced over 5,000 special buses, including 550 electric vehicles, set to aid the massive influx of devotees during the religious gathering’s peak days

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is ensuring world-class facilities for millions of devotees attending the Mahakumbh. According to an official release, this includes arrangements for shelter for over 1 lakh passengers and the operation of approximately 3,000 special fair trains. In addition, IRCTC, the tourism and hospitality branch of Indian Railways, has completed the construction of the luxury tent city, Mahakumbh Gram, near the Triveni Sangam.

The Mahakumbh Mela will be held from January 10 to February 24 under the guidance of the Yogi government and will feature a vibrant display of the country’s cultural diversity.

The main bathing festivals, known as the “Shahi Snan” (royal baths), will be held on January 14 (Makar Sankranti), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), and February 3 (Basant Panchami).

On December 25, the Uttar Pradesh government geared up for the Mela and arranged over 5,000 special buses including 550 electric vehicles, set to aid the massive influx of devotees during the religious gathering’s peak days. (ANI)