Kumbh: Sadhus and Leaders From Various Akhadas Arrive in Style

Sadhus and saints arrive at the Kumbh camps.

(Photo: The Quint)

Video Editor: Varun Sharma

Religious fervour has started gripping Sangam Nagri. The Kumbh Mela will be held in Prayagraj from 15 January to 4 March. Around 12 crore people are expected to visit Kumbh this year. Saints and sadhus have started to throng Kumbh – some on horses and elephants; others in luxurious cars and scooters. Heads of various akhadas have also arrived in Kumbh, in their unique styles.

What the Sadhus Are Saying

“Sadhus want that this year, the Kumbh should be grand and divine. Ever since we arrived, different programmes have taken place in every <i>akhada</i>. We were the first ones to arrive here. We saw the grandeur of the city during the ‘Nagar Pravesh’ ceremony. All the saints and sadhus are satisfied with the arrangements and facilities provided by the administration.”

Mahant Premgiri, International Vice-President, Juna Akhada.

Confluence of Technology and Tradition

The Yogi Adityanath government is pulling out all the stops to make this year’s Kumbh a spectacular event. For this, high-end technology is also being used for various purposes. From Kumbh Rail Seva App to free wi-fi, many facilities are expected to be provided. It’s not just the government, even saints and the organisers are using technology at Kumbh.

Yogi Government’s Mega-Budget for Kumbh

The Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh has released a mega-budget of Rs 3,900 crore for Kumbh. This time, the Kumbh Mela is spread over an area of 3,200 acres. The Kumbh officials are trying to provide all the basic facilities so that Kumbh becomes an attraction for tourists.

“According to our estimates, around 12 crore people will take the holy dip. So, we are strategising accordingly. We estimate that every day around 20 lakh will stay on the banks of the Ganga. We are providing basic amenities in 20 sectors.”

Vijay Kiran Anand, Official