New Delhi: Seers attending the 2025 Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj will now be required to present identification, either an Aadhaar card or a voter ID, to gain access to the event area. The measure is part of a broader initiative by the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP), which oversees the 13 Akharas (orders of seers), aimed at preventing the entry of fake godmen.
The Mahakumbh Mela is set to take place on January 13, 2025, at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers. During a recent meeting at the Niranjani Akhada in Prayagraj, Ravindra Puri, chief of ABAP, said that there is need for stringent security measures in light of rising threats against Sanatan Dharma. He instructed all Akharas to submit lists of their affiliated saints to local authorities, to make sure that only legitimate figures participate in the event, News18 reported.
Call for accountability after Hathras stampede
The initiative is not the first of its kind. In July 2024, the ABAP had called for action against fraudulent spiritual leaders following a tragic stampede in Hathras that resulted in 121 fatalities during an event led by a self-proclaimed godman. The ABAP said that it is important to protect the integrity of spiritual practices and the safety of devotees.
In addition to identity verification, the ABAP proposed changes to the terminology associated with the Kumbh Mela. They said that Urdu terms like “Shahi” and “Peshwai” be replaced with terms rooted in Sanatan Dharma, such as “Rajsi Snan” and “Chhavni Pravesh.” The proposal has been submitted to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for approval.
ABAP calls for strict measures to ensure hygiene
Apart from that, the ABAP is advocating for a ban on non-Sanatanis operating food stalls at the Kumbh, citing concerns over hygiene following incidents of food contamination. A formal resolution to implement this ban will be presented to the chief minister after Diwali. The organisation also urged that only followers of Sanatan Dharma should be involved in service roles at the event and called for the prohibition of alcohol and meat sales in the vicinity of the Kumbh area.
