LUCKNOW: Even as the unfortunate stampede at Maha Kumbh during the early hours of Wednesday gave ammunition to the opposition parties to criticise the BJP govt, accusing it of mismanagement and largely focusing on VIP arrangements at the religious congregation, past engagement shows that most key political dignitaries arrived at the Mela on days other than the one meant for the ‘Shahi (Amrit) Snan’, which have seen or are expected to see a massive turnout of devotees.
The ‘shahi snan’ on Paush Poornima (Jan 13), Makar Sankranti (Jan 14), and Mauni Amavasya (Jan 29) already saw a huge turnout of pilgrims. The trend is expected to continue on Basant Panchami (Feb 3), Magh Poornima (Feb 12), and Mahashivratri (Feb 26).
PM Narendra Modi is expected to arrive in Kumbh on Feb 5, two days after the next Shahi Snan on Basant Panchami, falling on Feb 3. Interestingly, Feb 5 has its own spiritual significance. The day coincides with Magh Ashtami, an auspicious day in the Hindu calendar known for devotion and acts of charity. Magh Ashtami, according to Hindu scriptures, also coincides with the period of Gupt Navratri. This day is believed to be highly auspicious for meditation, charity, and taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj.
Modi is scheduled to take the holy dip at the Triveni Sangam and perform arti. Later, he is expected to visit Akshayavat, Saraswati Koop, and Bade Hanuman Mandir to offer prayers. Likewise, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar is scheduled to arrive in Kumbh on Feb 1. So is the case with President Draupadi Murmu, who is scheduled to visit on Feb 10, two days before Magh Poornima.
A senior official in the CM secretariat said that the VIPs were requested to attend Kumbh on “non-snan” days as the security and due protocol given to them may have had a potential impact on crowd management. Home minister Amit Shah also reached Prayagraj along with his family for Kumbh on Nov 27, two days before the ‘Mauni Amavasya’, which was expected to draw a massive crowd. Shah took the holy dip at Triveni Sangam while being flanked by several seers. He also took a boat ride to reach the Arali ghat and was accompanied by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his deputies KP Maurya and Brajesh Pathak.
Former UP CM and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also attended Kumbh on Feb 27. Similarly, Yogi called the cabinet meeting in Prayagraj on Feb 22, also a “non-shahi snan” day.
