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Saints seek projects of ‘permanent nature’ for Mahakumbh fair
With only three years left for the Mahakumbh Mela in Haridwar, Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad and other organisations of saints have demanded projects of “permanent nature” for the mega fair
With only three years left for the Mahakumbh Mela in Haridwar, Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad and other organisations of saints have demanded projects of “permanent nature” for the mega fair, which is held every 12 years at the sanctum sanctorum of Brahamkund at Har-Ki-Pauri on the banks of Ganga river.
A delegation of Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad, the premier body of 13 akhadas, and other organisations of saints recently met chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat in this regard.
The saints said that usually temporary infrastructure is set up for the Kumbh and Ardh Kumbha fairs, which later gets dismantled, thus resulting in the waste of resources. They said they wanted permanent infrastructure at the fair venue including construction of akhada chawnis (tent colonies for akhadas and saints), so that these could be utilised even after the completion of Kumbh fair.
“As every six years Mahakumbh and Ardh Kumbh is held in Haridwar, it’s in the interest of all to ensure permanent nature infrastructure/amenities work is carried out. From Akhada-saint chawnis to bridges, or even parking lots, these should be of permanent nature, so that they can be utilised post Kumbh/Ardh Kumbh fairs also,” Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad general secretary Shri Mahant Hari Giri Maharaj told HT.
The saints also sought “permanent” tent colonies for the 2019 Prayag Ardh Kumbh in Allahabad. They also wanted permanent infrastructure not only in the Kumbh Mela zone —comprising Bhoopatwala, Neeldhara, Har-Ki-Pauri, Mayapur and Shiv Moorti square — but also in the city periphery.
“Benefit from Kumbh budget should extend to local residents also, as whole city bears the pressure of Kumbh fair pilgrims and tourist influx. The more permanent nature works are carried out in the mela zone and within the city, the better management of Kumbh fair will be,” said Mahamandaleshwar Kailashanand Brahamchari, the spiritual guru of Dakshin Kali Peeth. The seer said that the CM has assured the saints of taking their views and suggestions seriously while charting out the Kumbh fair plans.
Urban development minister Madan Kaushik said he has also assured the saints of incorporating their suggestions in the Mahakumbh organisation. “I have already met akhada representatives and noted saints at their akhadas and ashrams regarding next Mahakumbh preparation, seeking their blessing and advice. Permanent nature works will be carried out in mela zone as well as within the entire city,” he said. “As soon as Kumbh Mela administration comes into effect, meeting will be called with akhada-saint representatives, so that their suggestions and advice can be incorporated. With saints’ blessing and guidance, we will surely be able to host a grand and highly successful Kumbh fair,” he added.
Supporting the saints’ demand, Purushottam Sharma, former OSD Ardh Kumbh to Chief Minister, said that during previous Ardh Kumbh, permanent bridges were constructed at Har-Ki-Pauri, Lal Tarau and Jwalapur, besides an on-foot bridge at Chintamani ashram, which are now proving a boon for the local people and easing of pilgrim and vehicular congestion.
