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Hans India
3 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.
NDTV
30-04-2025
- General
- NDTV
Ayodhya's Hanuman Garhi's Head Seer Breaks Tradition To Visit Ram Temple
Ayodhya: Mahant Prem Das became the first head seer of Ayodhya's Hanuman Garhi to step outside the revered temple's premises in over 300 years as he led a procession to the Ram temple on Akshaya Tritiya festival. Das visited the newly consecrated Ram Temple in a grand 'Shahi Juloos' (royal procession) in a historic and emotional departure from a centuries-old religious tradition that forbade the head priest from ever leaving the 52-bigha premises of Hanuman Garhi during his lifetime. Thousands of Naga Sadhus, devotees and disciples joined the procession, which featured elephants, horses, camels and musical performances by local troupes. The spiritual journey began at the banks of the Saryu River, where Mahant Prem Das and others performed a ritual bath, before proceeding to offer prayers at the Ram Temple. "This tradition has been followed for 288 years, since 1737," said Mahant Sanjay Das, a senior seer of Hanuman Garhi. "The Mahant's role is to devote himself entirely to Lord Hanuman. Once he is anointed to the seat, he lives and dies within the temple premises. His body can only leave after death." Mahant Ramkumar Das, chief of the Nirvani Akhara, told PTI that due to the presiding seer's deep desire to visit the Ram Temple, he was granted this "once-in-a-lifetime permission". According to the constitution of Hanuman Garhi, formalised in 1925, these traditions were recognised and enforced by the Naga Sadhus. "Even in civil matters, the courts have respected this tradition," said Sanjay Das. "If needed, a representative of the Akhara appears in court. In fact, in the 1980s, the court itself held sessions inside Hanuman Garhi to record statements from the Mahant," he said. However, the recent decision was not taken lightly. It came only after the 'Panch' (governing members) of the Nirvani Akhara -- the esteemed religious body that oversees HanumanGarhi -- unanimously permitted the Mahant's wish to visit Ram Lalla's temple. Mahant Ramkumar Das, chief of the Nirvani Akhara, said, "The presiding seer's deep desire to visit the Ram Temple was heartfelt. After ritual discussions and overwhelming spiritual consensus, the Akhara granted this once-in-a-lifetime permission." The procession carried the Akhara's 'Nishaan' (insignia) with immense reverence and symbolism. Alongside the Mahant were large groups of temple disciples, local shopkeepers and worshippers who saw the event as a powerful expression of religious unity and devotion.
Indian Express
30-04-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Ayodhya: Presiding seer of Hanuman Garhi steps out after centuries to visit Ram Temple
BREAKING A centuries-old tradition, the Chief Priest of Hanuman Garhi Temple – Prem Das – on Wednesday left the premises of the temple to visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. A grand procession was taken out in a horse-driven chariot and a large number of devotees and sadhus took part. Amidst the sounds of trumpets, chants of 'Jai Shri Ram' and flower petals being showered at various points, the procession comprising Panch of Nirvani Akhara as well as Naga Sadhus, first took snan (holy bath) in the Saryu River and from there the procession left for Ram Temple. 'The Shobha Yatra left Hanuman Garhi around 7:30 am with Sadhus of all the Pattis. They took bath at Naya Ghat and then left for darshan at Ram Janmabhoomi, where it ended. Police force was deployed for security at various points and traffic diversions were done in advance for the same,' said Madhuban Singh, Superintendent of Police, Ayodhya. Ayodhya Mayor Girish Tripathi said it was a 'matter of pride' for the residents of Ayodhya as they got to witness the 'historic moment.' 'Hanuman Garhi is the chief seat of Nirvani Akhara. It is a belief regarding Gaddi Nasheen that he does not leave his Hanuman Garhi premises. But, taking inspiration from Lord Hanuman, he (Das) visited Ram Lalla after taking bath at Saryu river,' said Tripathi. 'There is joy among the people of Ayodhya that they witnessed this historic moment. The Shobha Yatra was welcomed at various locations along the route.' After taking bath at Saryu River amidst chanting of mantras, Das said that he also observed a few minutes' silence after taking bath to pray for the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. Accompanied by sadhus and chief functionaries of Nirvani Akhara, he offered 56 different 'Bhog' (offerings) at the Ram Temple.
Hindustan Times
30-04-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Chief priest steps out of Hanuman Garhi, visits Ram temple in ‘Shahi Juloos'
letters@ : A nearly 300-year-old tradition was broken at Ayodhya's famous Hanuman Garhi temple for the first time in nearly 300 years when the chief priest (Gaddi Nasheen) Mahant Prem Das stepped out of the premises on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya on Wednesday and visited the Ram temple in a procession after taking a ritual bath in the Saryu river. According to the centuries' old tradition of the Hanuman Garhi temple, it is mandatory for the presiding Mahant (chief priest) to never leave the premises, which is defined as an area of 52 bighas, for the rest of his life after being ordained to the position of Gaddi Nasheen. But on Wednesday, riding on elephants, horses and camels, hundreds of Naga sadhus took part in the 'Shahi Juloos' (procession) led by Mahant Prem Das with the Nirvani Akhara's 'Nishaan' (insignia) to the accompaniment of music and dances by local performers who followed. The departure from tradition came after the Panch (members) of Nirvani Akhara, which manages the Hanuman Garhi temple, were moved by the desire of the chief priest to visit the Ram temple and they unanimously granted him permission to do so. Mahant Sanjay Das, a senior mahant (priest) of Hanuman Garhi temple, said: 'The tradition (of the chief priest not stepping out of the premises) has been going on for 288 years (since 1737). This is because the head priest is dedicated solely to serving Lord Hanuman. The constitution of Hanuman Garhi was documented in 1925, where the traditions that had been followed since the beginning were formally recognised by the Naga Sadhus. After assuming the position, the head priest resides within the Hanuman Garhi complex. They serve Lord Hanuman there, and their only their body can leave the premises (after death).' Sanjay Das, a senior mahant (priest) of Hanuman Garhi said, 'The civil court also respects this rule of Hanuman Garhi. In any civil lawsuit, the representative of the Akhara appears in court instead of the presiding Mahant. If necessary, the court itself comes to Hanuman Garhi to record the statement of the presiding Mahant.' Though the distance between Hanuman Garhi temple and Ram temple is just about 1 km, the entire Wednesday's event lasted about seven hours with the procession covering a distance of about 6 km. The procession first reached the banks of the Saryu River (2 km from Hanuman Garhi). Thereafter, the chief priest and Naga Sadhus took a ritual bath in the river. Next, the procession moved towards the Ram temple, said Mahant Ramkumar Das, the chief of Nirvani Akhara. The procession returned to Hanuman Garhi from Ram Temple at around 1 pm.
New Indian Express
30-04-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Hanuman Garhi chief priest ends 288-year-old seclusion, visits Ram Lalla temple
PATNA: Ayodhya witnessed a historic and emotional moment on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya when Mahant Prem Chand Das Ji, the 70-year-old Gaddi Nasheen and chief priest of Hanuman Garhi temple, broke a 288-year-old tradition by stepping out of the temple premises to have darshan of Ram Lalla at the Ram Janmbhoomi site. This marked the first time in nearly three centuries that a Gaddi Nasheen ventured beyond Hanuman Garhi's 52-bigha boundary, defying a strict tradition that had barred all previous occupants of the post from ever leaving the temple compound. Mahant Prem Das Ji, who has held the revered seat as the 22nd Gaddi Nasheen for the past eight years, had never stepped outside the temple in that time. 'I am overwhelmed after taking darshan of Ram Lalla from the front. I felt as if he is saying something. The deity often speaks but we are not able to understand,' he said after the visit. According to temple sources, the custom dated back to the 18th century and was so binding that even legal obligations could not compel a Gaddi Nasheen to appear in court. However, this year, the Mahant expressed a long-held desire to visit the Ram temple. A meeting of the Nirvani Akhara, which owns Hanuman Garhi, was convened on April 21, where it was unanimously decided to allow the Mahant to visit Ram Lalla. On Wednesday morning, Ayodhya's streets were filled with devotees eager to witness the rare procession led by the Gaddi Nasheen. Elephants, camels, horses, and the Akhara's nishaan (insignia) accompanied the colourful procession from Hanuman Garhi to the Ram temple. The Mahant was also accompanied by Naga sadhus, disciples, devotees, and local traders. The journey began with a traditional bath at the banks of the River Saryu at 7 am, after which the procession made its way towards the Ram temple. 'After a wait of 500 years, the Ram Lalla temple has been constructed. Therefore, the Gaddi Nasheen of Ayodhya's Hanuman Garhi went to have darshan of Ram Lalla. He was accompanied by saints from all four sects after taking a bath in the Saryu River on Akshaya Tritiya. It marked the beginning of a new tradition in Ayodhya,' said Acharya Mithilesh Nandini Sharan, a saint of Hanumat Niwas. Another priest, Sanjay Das of Hanuman Garhi, revealed that for the past three months, Lord Hanuman had been spiritually inspiring the Mahant to visit Shri Ram Lalla. During the darshan, 56 types of bhog (offerings) were presented to the deity on behalf of the Hanuman Garhi temple. The Gaddi Nasheen spent nearly an hour on the temple premises, completing a deeply symbolic and spiritually significant journey that has now laid the foundation for what saints call a 'new tradition' in Ayodhya. On January 22, 2024, the idol of Ram Lalla was consecrated at the newly constructed temple, marking a milestone in a movement that had lasted centuries.
