Dates for Kumbh Mela bath announced

Lucknow: UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath has announced the dates for three main bathing days, known as shahi snan, for the Kumbh Mela next year.

This is the first time that a chief minister has declared the dates for the bathing days.

“The chief minister is also a saint and head of the Goraksha Peeth in Gorakhpur. He has, therefore, announced the dates of this religious event in consultation with other saints,” said Swami Narendra Giri, president of the Akhara Parishad.

The first shahi snan for the akharas will be held on January 15, which is Makar Sankranti, the second on February 4 that is Mauni Amavasya and the third on February 10 which is Basant Panchami.

After the three shahi snans, all the akharas usually leave the Mela area while the ordinary pilgrims stay on to complete the Kalpvas period.

The chief minister, who was in Allahabad on Saturday, also reviewed the preparations for the Kumbh Mela.

He also inquired about the status of ongoing projects and instructed the authorities to stick to the time frame. Before the review meeting, CM Yogi inspected various civil projects being undertaken in view of Kumbh.

With the announcement of dates for the Kumbh Mela, the government has set a time frame for preparations by the Mela Authority, district administration and other related agencies including railways, roadways, police and urban development.