The colors of the world’s largest cultural and religious fair, held every twelve years for centuries, are unique.
According to religious pundits and priests, this time a rare Muhurta coincidence is coming in Mahakumbh after 144 years. It is estimated that 45 to 50 crore devotees from all over the world will come to the temporary Mahakumbh Nagar on the banks of Ganga and Yamuna for one and a half months. On Mauni Amavasya alone, 8 to 10 crore devotees can take a dip in the holy Sangam. 5 to 6 crore devotees are expected to take a dip on Basant Panchami and 3 crore devotees on Makar Sankranti. The Maha Kumbh Mela, which started on Paush Purnima on 13 January, will continue till Mahashivratri on 26 February. There are 44 permanent bathing ghats in the fair spread over 10 thousand acres. About 25 to 30 lakh devotees will perform Kalpavas. All the Akharas and camps of monks in the country have been decorated.
establishment of religious flag
According to Vedic tradition, the religious flag was installed in the Acharya camp of Niranjani Akhara’s Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Kailashanand Giri. He said that Mahakumbh is a symbol of the splendor of Sanatan Dharma. Sanatan culture and civilization is visible in it. India’s existence depends on this. This is not a religious but the biggest event of public welfare.
efficient transportation system
Crores of people of the country have to come for bathing, in such a situation about 3,000 special trains have been run for the devotees. People will also come from the states adjacent to Uttar Pradesh on a large scale, hence Uttar Pradesh Transport Department has started operating more than 7,000 buses. A fleet of 500 shuttle buses and 300 electric buses are ready to serve the devotees within Prayagraj city. 550 km of roads made of concrete plates, 1.5 lakh tents and the same number of toilets have been installed.
Foreign devotees in Kumbh Nagar
103 parking spaces have been built in the approximately 50 acre area of the fair, which has the capacity to park seven lakh vehicles. If someone comes in his own vehicle, shuttle buses will be ready for him. These buses will take people to a certain distance from the Sangam so that no person faces any problem in reaching there.
foreign tourist
Mahakumbh is expected to attract 45 crore tourists from about 75 countries. Tour and travel operators claim that people from many countries including America and Europe have made bookings for Mahakumbh. More than 500 big tour operators from many countries of Europe had contacted the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department. The Indian Association of Tour Operators is keeping an eye on the fair.
According to people associated with the hotel industry, luxury rooms are in highest demand. People from Muslim countries like UAE, Bahrain, America, Britain and France are also willing to come. 24 crore people took bath in the 2019 Ardh Kumbh, while the number of foreign pilgrims was around 25 lakh.
tight security system
State DGP Prashant Kumar himself has taken stock of the preparations for the fair several times. The DGP inspected Sangam, Kila Ghat and other ghats by boat and instructed the policemen to maintain vigilance and readiness to prevent any untoward incident. Policemen have also been instructed to behave sensitively and decently with the devotees.
A security maze has been created around Prayagraj by including the seven routes connecting the district Prayagraj and the districts and bordering districts falling on those routes. Arrangements have also been made for checking of vehicles and persons coming and going from eight districts. 10 types of security operations will also be conducted during the entire fair period, so that the devotees feel safe at every step. The help of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other modern resources is being taken for security. Intelligence units are keeping a close watch to keep a close watch on terrorist activities.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath monitoring the entire system
NSG commandos are equipped with modern weapons like MP5, AK 47, Corner Shot Gun, Glock 17. NDRF teams are continuously conducting mock drills to deal with the situation of chemical attack. Air Force’s MI-7 helicopter has also been deployed. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath himself has been taking stock of the preparations at various levels for the last several months. They are reviewing with the officials concerned at the fair venue.
awareness of rights also
Along with the Judge Colony, setups have also been prepared for the Bar Council including the cottage of the Lokayukta and the Information Commissioner. Judge, Lokayukta, Information Commissioner and lawyers will stay here for 45 days. Will give information to people about every aspect related to justice and right to information. Free legal aid centers have been set up for the devotees in Mahakumbh. High Court Bar Association has started a camp near the Khoya-Paya Center in Sector-4.
continuous bhandara
The continuous Bhandara from the Peethadhishwar of Gorakhnath will last for about one and a half months. This Bhandara will be run by big monasteries associated with the Nath sect. Gorakhnath Math will bear its entire expense. In the Kumbh held at all the places, Bhandara is continuously run by Gorakshpeethadhishwar and thousands of devotees take the Prasad of Bhandara every day.
Launch of Kumbhavani
Prasar Bharati’s FM channel Kumbhavani has been launched in Mahakumbh Nagar. Through this, information about Mahakumbh will be sent to those remote villages from where people are unable to reach even if they want to. This channel related to Mahakumbh will be broadcast on 103.5 MHz frequency, which will remain on air till 26th February. Its telecast will start from 5.55 am in the morning and will continue till 10.05 pm.
royal bath
13 January: Paush Purnima: First Shahi Snan
14 January: Makar Sankranti: Second Shahi Snan
29 January: Mauni Amavasya: Third Shahi Snan
3 February: Basant Panchami: Fourth Shahi Snan
12 February: Magh Purnima: Fifth Shahi Snan
26 February: Mahashivratri: Sixth and last Shahi Snan
