Prayagraj: As preparations for the Maha Kumbh are in full swing in Prayagraj, devotees and tourists from across India and abroad have already started reaching the Sangam City well ahead of the mega religious event.
The Yogi government is deploying top officials to the ghats of Prayagraj to ensure the safety of devotees and visitors, providing a smooth experience for all and positioning Maha Kumbh as the world’s most spectacular cultural event.
The government has issued strict instructions to ensure that the influx of pilgrims encounters no difficulties. Enthusiasm for Maha Kumbh is at an all-time high, and Prayagraj is rapidly solidifying its position as the nation's spiritual hub.
Pandit Mahendra Nath Sharma, a priest at Sangam Ghat said, "The number of people arriving from across the country and abroad has significantly increased, even before Maha Kumbh, with many seeking peace for their ancestors' souls."
He said, "Large groups are performing rituals to liberate seven to eight generations and the priests at Prayagraj's ghats provide visitors, including those unfamiliar with their extended lineage, with written records and guidance on their heritage."
According to the renowned Prayagwal Subrahmanyam Shastri, also known as Chari Ji of Prayagraj, the relentless reconstruction efforts led by the Yogi government have ignited immense enthusiasm among both the local population and visitors.
Meanwhile, long queues of people have begun to form at Prayagraj's ghats, eager to meet the Brahmins, priests, and pandas of Prayagraj. The priests of Prayagraj are performing rituals daily for thousands of people from states like Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana.
Additionally, Indian from countries such as the United States, Canada, Mauritius, Australia and Russia have started to arrive to pay homage to the sacred Ganga. Many are also bringing the ashes of their ancestors to perform traditional rites.
A coordinated team effort is underway to manage religious activities on the banks of the Sangam efficiently. Pankaj Pandey, who oversees similar responsibilities, explains that visitors perform rituals for the peace of their ancestors' souls, offering donations to Brahmins, which in turn employs many people in the area.
According to the mythology, King Bhagirath of the Ikshvaku dynasty brought the Ganga to earth through intense penance, liberating 60,000 sons of King Sagar who had been reduced to ashes by the curse of Kapil Muni. The credit for bringing Maa Ganga to earth goes to Bhagirath and in his honour, the river is also known as Bhagirathi.