Sadhus complain of improper power, water supply, lack of cleanliness at Kumbh Mela

Nashik: Seers attending the Simhastha Kumbh mela, the largest congregation of any faith in the world held after every 12 years, have complained of inconsistent power and water supply and lack of cleanliness at the venue. “You can see the garbage scattered around for want of dustbins,” Dasharath Das, a sadhu follower of Digambar Jain Akhada, said onWednesday. “Inconsistent supply of electricity and water need to be paid attention immediately by the officials,” he said. [caption id=“attachment_726529” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Kumbh Mela. PTI[/caption] Das also alleged that the plot distribution between different ‘akharas’ (sects of sadhus) has not been clearly earmarked and that the issue must be resolved at the earliest. Besides, the 1.5-km-long stretch between Kannamwar Bridge to Lakshminarayan Ghat was not open for the devotees as road maintenance work was still on, he claimed. However, a supervisor present on the spot said, “We are putting our hard efforts to give final touch and hope to finish it very soon.” Branches of thorny trees were also found scattered in most parts of the ‘sadhu gram’ where a big number of seers belonging to three akharas - Digambar, Nirmohi and Nirvani - are expected to come and stay for at least two months. Meanwhile, sadhu gram in-charge and special officer for Kumbh mela Yogesh Pagare said the work for setting up of tents is underway and as soon as it completes, the water and electricity supply will be streamlined. As far as allotment of land for the seers in sadhu gram is concerned, the distribution work has been handed over to the heads of akharas, he said. When asked about the civic works not being completed in time, Pagare said the first big event of Kumbh mela will be on 19 August when the flag-hoisting ceremony of akharas will take place. So, the authorities have ample time to give final touches to the ongoing works, he added Even though the Kumbh mela began yesterday, most of the ghats on Godavari river bank bore a deserted look today. However, officials believe that as time progresses, devotees would start flocking the venue. The Kumbh Mela, the largest congregation of any faith in the world held after every 12 years, began in Nashik on Tuesday with the traditional hoisting of flags as thousands of sadhus and other people took a holy dip in Kushavarta and Ramkund in Godavari river in Nashik. The Mela will see the spectacular ‘shahi snan’ (royal bath), when seers and sadhus of various akharas take dip in river in large numbers following colourful procession, at Trimbakeshwar on 29 August, 13 and 25 September. Nearly three lakh sadhus are expected to be in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar for the religious gathering. PTI