Mahakumbh 2025 is the world’s largest gathering, with an estimated 400 to 450 million visitors. It is scheduled from January 13 to February 26 at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. According to astronomical calculations, the 2025 edition is unique since the constellation alignment seen is witnessed once in 144 years.

The Kumbh Mela has also been recognized as part of Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Mahant Ravindra Puri, president, Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad talked to Manoj Bhadra of The Statesman about the success of the Mahakumbh as well as the stampede which claimed “30 lives”.

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Q: All three ‘Amrit snans’ at the revered Mahakumbh have ended with the active participation of all 13 akharas. What is your comment on the government arrangements this time?

A: I have been attending all editions of the Ardh Kumbh and Mahakumbh since 1995. But this was the first time we enjoyed such excellent facilities… ‘Na buhuto, na bhavishyati’ (neither in the past nor there be another such in future). Besides, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was very concerned about the well being of the seers, and he personally attended to their problem. He himself visited the akharas to inspect their facilities several times. Q: Prayagraj Mahakumbh is also identified as the biggest ever Hindu conclave. A: We are fortunate that at last the Hindus have awakened and they have attended this Mahakumbh with their families and friends. This unity of the Hindus will have a positive impact in the country as well as in the world too. Earlier other religions thought that Hindus are not united and they had taken advantage. But now everything has changed in this Mahakumbh and Hindus are united to safeguard their religion. We are expecting that till the end of this Mahakumbh, around 50 crore people would have taken a dip in the Sangam. All the credit goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for their good arrangements.

Q: On Mauni Amavasya, the main Amrit Snan day, there was a stampede in which several pilgrims were killed and injured. Though the official figure is 30, many reports have claimed the number to be much higher. What is your comment?

A: It was an unfortunate incident and we the Akharas were first to condole it and even suspended our Amrit Snan till the situation normalized, and the pilgrims who came from far-flung areas took the dip in the Sangam. As you are aware, on that day, there were around 8 to 10 crore people in and around the Kumbh. There were also some people who were against the Sanatan ideology. So ‘Katchadhari’ people tried to create disturbances, but it was controlled by the security forces in time. But I can say that when there are big gatherings, such incidents happen.

Q: The Opposition blamed the Centre and the state government for the incident.

A: The Opposition leaders and ‘anti-Sanatani’ forces are not happy witnessing such unity among the Hindus for the first time in the country. When they could not find anything to criticize the government, the stampede has given them an opportunity to defame the government and even our seers. These opposition leaders are giving statements without any basis and even people have now rejected their views. It is on record that around 40 crore pilgrims have visited Mahakumbh and appreciated the facilities and arrangements provided by the government. How can these opposition leaders try to blackmail the majority Hindus?

Q: There have been some reels and clippings on social media about alleged mismanagement at Mahakumbh. Some of these had also shown the negative view point of seers.

A: The anti-Hindu forces had employed several YouTubers to dent the image of the Mahakumbh. They took videos and photos to create a negative narrative of the Hindu-Sanatani congregation. This was the reason that these so-called Leftist YouTubers picked up some fake saints and sadhus to defame the Sanatan Dharma. I personally do not rule out that the stampede that happened on January 29 could be the handiwork of these forces.

Q: Several opposition leaders and even some environmentalists have raised the issue of a polluted Sangam.

A: I have also heard about it and seen it in the media. But I ask you, did any of the devotees complain about it or did people fall ill? These antiSanatani forces are trying everything to create confusion among the Hindus to suspend their yatra to Prayagraj. But all their conspiracies had failed, and people in large numbers have bathed in Sangam and other places, and more will come till Shivratri on February 26. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries have also bathed in the so-called polluted Sangam. These types of conspiracies are always hatched by these antiHindu forces just to create a division among the society.

Q: Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati has even demanded the resignation of Yogi Adityanath over the stampede incident.

A: Asking for resignation from the chief minister is due to deep frustration and nothing else. This is shameful for us. And a ‘sadhu’ should not be involved in politics. But I can definitely comment that these types of saints are like vultures who try to damage their own community and religion.