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Hans India
19 hours ago
- General
- Hans India
Maha govt releases schedule for 2027 Nashik Kumbh Mela, preparations begin
Nashik: The Maharashtra government has released the schedule for the Nashik Kumbh Mela and Amrit Snan (holy dip) to be held in 2027. The announcement of the dates of the Kumbh Mela was made on Sunday in the presence of the seers and mahants, and also Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. As per the schedule, Simhastha Flag Hoisting ceremony will take place on October 31, 2026, at 12.02 p.m. (Location-Ramkund Panchavati); Pratham Amrit Snan-Monday, August 2, 2027, Ashadh Somvati Amavasya; Mahakumbhasnan/Second Amrit Snan-August 31, 2027 and Shravan Amavasya; and Tritiya Amrit Snan-September 11, 2027, Bhadrapada Shuddha Ekadashi. The Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela will also take place on the same dates. Apart from this, all the days of 'Ekadashi', 'Pournima', 'Amavasya', 'Vaidhriti Vyatipat Yoga' during the Simhastha Parva period in Nashik will be pilgrimage and 'darshan parvas' for devotees. In addition to the three main 'parvas' in Kumbh Mela 2027 in Nashik, there are a total of 44 'muhurtas' for 'Parvasnana' and a total of 53 muhurtas for 'parvasnanap at Trimbakeshwar, said the government release. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, 'All efforts will be made by the state government to ensure that the Kumbh Mela is held in a safe, clean and holy environment. All kinds of facilities will be provided to the devotees coming for the Kumbh Mela. Funds will be made available for this. Since the Kumbh Mela is a symbol of Indian Sanatan culture, the attention of the whole world is on it. Therefore, with the cooperation of everyone, a grand, divine and memorable event will be organised that will amaze the world." 'The Kumbh Mela is conducted by the akhads, sadhus and mahants, and the state government will provide good facilities. The sadhus and mahants have a lot of experience in the organisation of Kumbh Mela, so their guidance will be useful. In 2015, the period for preparation for the Kumbh Mela in Nashik was shorter. This time, the government is making good preparations as there is more time for prior preparation,' said the chief minister. 'Kumbh Mela aims to ensure that the Godavari remains pure and flowing forever, and this is the government's effort. Measures are being taken to maintain the sanctity of the Godavari River. A sewage management project will ensure that the water flowing into the Godavari is clean, and tenders are being floated. Efforts will be made to ensure that impure water does not enter the riverbed. If the river continues to flow, it will remain pure; necessary planning is being done for that,' said the chief minister. Stating that the government will make necessary plans keeping in mind the suggestions of the sadhus and mahants, CM Fadnavis said that necessary facilities will be provided for the akhadas. Land will be acquired so that the Sadhugram site can be used permanently. He added that the road network is being prepared. Efforts are being made for proper planning to avoid congestion at Kushawart. Nashik divisional commissioner Pravin Gedam said that since more devotees are likely to come to the Simhastha Kumbh Mela this time, crowd control will be a big challenge. Along with the three Amrit Snans, other Parv Snans will be held. The work of the Kumbh Mela is going on at a fast pace, and tenders for more than Rs 4,000 crore have been published, of which tenders for Rs 2,600 crore will be floated soon. He added that all these works will be completed before January 2027.
India Gazette
a day ago
- General
- India Gazette
In a spiritual shift, Nashik Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027 to replace 'Shahi Snan' with 'Amrit Snan'
Nashik (Maharashtra) [India], June 1 (ANI): The upcoming Nashik Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027 will witness a significant traditional change, as the age-old practice of 'Shahi Snan' or royal bath will be replaced with 'Amrit Snan' for the first time. This decision was taken during a meeting of the Akhara Parishad and the Kumbh Mela organisers with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Nashik on Sunday. 'The Kumbh Mela is held at four locations across the country Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik and it takes place based on where the drops of Amrit fell. The term Shahi Snan was introduced during the Mughal era. Therefore, this tradition is now being changed, and the Shahi Snan will henceforth be referred to as Amrit Snan. This decision was taken after discussions during a meeting between all 13 Akharas and the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Nashik,' Mahant Bhakti Charan Das, spokesperson of All India Vaishnav Akhara told ANI. The move aims to infuse the event with a deeper spiritual and religious essence, steering it away from the display of grandiosity and power. Saints from various Akharas have stressed that the bathing ritual should symbolize spiritual discipline rather than royal pageantry. 'Referring to the sacred bath as 'Amrit Snan' aligns more closely with the true purpose of the event,' said Mahant Bhakti Charan Das. According to Hindu beliefs, bathing during the Kumbh Mela cleanses one of all sins. The name 'Amrit Snan' draws from the mythological tale of the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), where drops of divine nectar--Amrit--were believed to have fallen at the Kumbh sites, including Nashik. The Akharas view 'Amrit Snan' as a return to the festival's spiritual roots, ensuring the focus remains on devotion, penance, and salvation rather than spectacle. Earlier today, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said preparations have been underway following discussions with chiefs of various Akharas ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027 in Nashik. 'A meeting was organised in relation to the Kumbh Mela of Nashik and Trimbakeshwar, in which the 13 major Akharas were also present. We discussed the event in the presence of all the Mahants, saints, priests... This time the fair is going to be long, so people will get to see many important 'Amrit Snan' dates and holy festivals...,' CM Fadnavis told reporters here. He also said that the government has come up with a plan to ensure the cleanliness of the Godavari River.'A plan has also been prepared to ensure that our Godavari Maa flows clean and uninterrupted... Works worth Rs 2,000 crores are in the pipeline. Overall, preparations have been made here so that a divine and grand fair is held,' CM Fadnavis said. The Nashik Kumbh, one of the largest religious gatherings in India, is held once every 12 years, where devotees come to take a holy bath on the banks of the Godavari River. The Maharashtra government is focused on ensuring smooth arrangements, including sanitation, security, and infrastructure development. Key decisions are expected to be finalized in the coming months. (ANI)
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
CM Fadnavis chairs 2027 Nashik Kumbh Mela prep meet, assures smooth arrangements
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited Nashik on Sunday to chair a key preparatory meeting for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, slated to be held in 2027 and ensured that the grand event will be held smoothly. The meeting was attended by seers from 13 prominent akharas along with representatives from various government agencies involved in planning the mega spiritual gathering. Addressing reporters after the meeting, Fadnavis said: "A meeting was organised regarding the Kumbh Mela, in which the 13 prominent Akharas were present. Saints, sadhus, and mahants all participated. We held discussions regarding the arrangements for the event." He said that important aspects like event scheduling, infrastructure planning, crowd management, and the issue of pollution in the Godavari River were discussed in depth. "The dates for the important events were also fixed, and the announcements regarding the same will soon be made…How to manage the crowd of pilgrims will also be seen. Godavari pollution was also discussed," he added. Fadnavis further noted that every effort would be made to ensure that the 2027 Kumbh Mela is organised smoothly with a focus on cleanliness, convenience, and coordination among departments. Mahant Rajendra Das Ji Maharaj of Abha Nirvani Akhara, also known as the Nirvani Akhara, stated that the date for the Amrit Snan would be declared soon. Raising a significant cultural point, he echoed the demand of several seers to replace the term Shahi Snan with Amrit Snan. Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad national spokesperson, Bhakti Charan Das Maharaj, said: "The recent decision follows the precedent set during the previous Kumbh Mela held in Prayagraj, where the term 'Shahi Snan' was replaced with 'Amrit Snan' after extensive discussions among scholars and saints." "The word 'Shahi' is believed to have Mughal-era origins, and many experts agreed it was inappropriate in a spiritual context. The new term reflects Indian spiritual values more accurately," he said. In the meeting, the seers also pressed for land reservations specific to the Nashik Kumbh Mela, stronger enforcement against pollution of the sacred Godavari, and the creation of a dedicated Kumbh Mela authority to ensure better amenities for saints and devotees. Addressing reporters, Nirmohi Akhara's Rajendra Das Maharaj said, "We pray to the sacred Godavari River that this Kumbh Mela becomes grand and divine. The arrangements of Amrit Snan and other requirements were discussed with the Chief Minister." The 2027 Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Nashik is expected to witness participation from millions of pilgrims and saints, like as seen in the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh this year.
India.com
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Mamta Kulkarni Resigns As Mahamandaleshwar Amid Akhada Power Struggle And Backlash Over Past
New Delhi: Former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni talked about the controversy around her appointment as Mahamandleshwar of Kinnar Akhada at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. In January, Acharya Mahamandleshwar of Kinnar Akhada, Laxmi Narayan, announced that Mamta Kulkarni has embarked on a spiritual role as the Mahamandleshwar. However, later Rishi Ajay Das, the founder of Kinnar Akhada, has expelled both Mamta Kulkarni and Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi from the Akhada. The decision comes in the wake of the controversial appointment of Mamta Kulkarni, a former Bollywood actress with a checkered past, as Mahamandaleshwar. Tripathi had allegedly appointed Kulkarni without the founder's consent, an act that has sparked considerable outrage. Speaking to ANI, she said, "...It was all in God's hands for me to become Mahamandaleshwar in that Kumbh, which was such a holy occasion in 140 years. God provided me with the fruits of 25 years of my 'tapasya'. So, that happened." According to a press release issued on January 30, 2025, Rishi Ajay Das noted, "As the founder of Kinnar Akhada, I am hereby relieving Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi from his position as Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinnar Akhada, effective immediately. His appointment was made with the goal of promoting religious activities and uplifting the transgender community, but he has deviated from these responsibilities." The controversy revolves around an agreement Tripathi entered into with Juna Akhada in 2019, which Ajay Das claims was allegedly done without his approval. He further alleged that the contract between the two Akhadas was legally invalid due to the lack of his consent and signature. Moreover, Ajay Das accused Tripathi of undermining the tenets of the Kinnar Akhada by allowing Mamta Kulkarni to join and take on the prestigious role of Mahamandaleshwar despite her past involvement in criminal activities. Ajay Das explained that Mamta Kulkarni's appointment was particularly concerning because she had a criminal history."By giving such a person the title of Mahamandaleshwar, what kind of guru are you offering to Sanatan Dharma? This is a question of ethics," he wrote. The founder emphasized that this appointment was not only unethical but also a betrayal of the Akhada's religious values. The expulsion of both individuals has ignited debates within the spiritual community, with the President of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad, Mahant Ravindra Puri, speaking out in support of Tripathi and Kulkarni. Puri challenged the legitimacy of Ajay Das's decision, saying, "I want to ask, who is he (Rishi Ajay Das) to expel Laxmi Narayan Tripathi?"He also reiterated that both Tripathi and Kulkarni would continue their roles within the Akhada and participate in the upcoming Amrit Snan. The controversy over Mamta Kulkarni's appointment as Mahamandaleshwar began when Acharya Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi publicly announced the decision during the Maha Kumbh. Mamta Kulkarni, who was known for her roles in popular 1990s Bollywood films, had stepped away from the limelight in the early 2000s. However, she made a return to India and was granted the position of Mahamandaleshwar by Tripathi, an act which has now come under heavy scrutiny. Transgender Kathavachak Jagatguru Himangi Sakhi Maa had earlier raised concerns over Kulkarni's appointment, questioning her credibility and linking her past to criminal activities."Mamta Kulkarni has been made Mahamandaleshwar for publicity. Society knows her past very well. She was even jailed in the past in connection with drug cases. This needs investigation," Himangi Sakhi said in a conversation with ANI. Mamta Kulkarni later stepped down from her role as Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinnar Akhada after facing heavy backlash and internal disputes. Her resignation follows questions about her spiritual standing and her past in the film industry. The Kinnar Akhada had earlier expelled the 'Karan Arjun' actress and her mentor, Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, citing tensions within the religious group. Kulkarni announced her resignation in a video shared on her Instagram. "Main Mahamandaleshwar Yamai Mamta Nandagiri, main iss post se istifa de rahi hoon. Aaj Kinnar Akhade ya dono akhade ke beech jo mujhe leke problems ho rahi hain. Main ek Sadhvi thi 25 saal se aur main Sadhvi hi rahungi," she said. "Bollywood ko maine 25 saal pehle chhoda. Main apne aap gayab rahi. Warna makeup se, Bollywood se itna door kaun rehta hai?" she added.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Mamta Kulkarni opens up on controversy over her appointment as Mahamandleshwar of Kinnar Akhada
Former Bollywood actor Mamta Kulkarni talked about the controversy around her appointment as Mahamandleshwar of Kinnar Akhada at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. (Also Read | Mamta Kulkarni denies claims of paying ₹10 crore to become Mahamandaleshwar) In January, Acharya Mahamandleshwar of Kinnar Akhada, Laxmi Narayan, announced that Mamta Kulkarni has embarked on a spiritual role as the Mahamandleshwar. However, later, Rishi Ajay Das, the founder of Kinnar Akhada, expelled both Mamta Kulkarni and Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi from the Akhada. The decision came in the wake of the controversial appointment of Mamta Kulkarni, with a checkered past, as Mahamandaleshwar. Lakshmi had allegedly appointed Kulkarni without the founder's consent, an act that has sparked considerable outrage. Speaking to ANI, she said, "...It was all in God's hands for me to become Mahamandaleshwar in that Kumbh, which was such a holy occasion in 140 years. God provided me with the fruits of 25 years of my 'tapasya'. So, that happened." According to a press release issued on January 30, 2025, Rishi Ajay Das noted, "As the founder of Kinnar Akhada, I am hereby relieving Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi from his position as Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinnar Akhada, effective immediately. His appointment was made with the goal of promoting religious activities and uplifting the transgender community, but he has deviated from these responsibilities." The controversy revolves around an agreement Lakshmi entered into with Juna Akhada in 2019, which Ajay Das claims was allegedly done without his approval. He further alleged that the contract between the two Akhadas was legally invalid due to the lack of his consent and signature. Moreover, Ajay Das accused Lakshmi of undermining the tenets of the Kinnar Akhada by allowing Mamta to join and take on the prestigious role of Mahamandaleshwar despite her past involvement in criminal activities. The founder emphasised that this appointment was not only unethical but also a betrayal of the Akhada's religious values. The expulsion of both individuals ignited debates within the spiritual community, with the President of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad, Mahant Ravindra Puri, speaking out in support of Lakshmi and Mamta. Ravindra Puri challenged the legitimacy of Ajay Das's decision, saying, "I want to ask, who is he (Rishi Ajay Das) to expel Laxmi Narayan Tripathi?" He also reiterated that both Lakshmi and Mamta would continue their roles within the Akhada and participate in the upcoming Amrit Snan. The controversy over Mamta's appointment as Mahamandaleshwar began when Lakshmi publicly announced the decision during the Maha Kumbh. Mamta, who was known for her roles in popular 1990s Bollywood films, had stepped away from the limelight in the early 2000s. However, she made a return to India and was granted the position of Mahamandaleshwar by Lakshmi, an act which has now come under heavy scrutiny. Transgender Kathavachak Jagatguru Himangi Sakhi Maa had earlier raised concerns over Mamta's appointment, questioning her credibility and linking her past to criminal activities. "Mamta Kulkarni has been made Mahamandaleshwar for publicity. Society knows her past very well. She was even jailed in the past in connection with drug cases. This needs investigation," Himangi Sakhi said in a conversation with ANI. Mamta later stepped down from her role as Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinnar Akhada after facing heavy backlash and internal disputes. Her resignation followed questions about her spiritual standing and her past in the film industry. The Kinnar Akhada had earlier expelled Lakshmi and Mamta, citing tensions within the religious group. Mamta announced her resignation in a video shared on her Instagram.
