Meet us in person not on Facebook: Akhada Mahant urges PM Narendra Modi

NASHIK: A Mahant of an Akhada participating in the ongoing Kumbh Mela here has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit them at the venue rather than interacting with people on a virtual platform.

"Modiji face-to-face milo, Facebook pe mat milo. (Modiji please meet us in person and not on Facebook)," Mahant Raghumani of Bada Akahda Udasin said.

Raghumani said the Prime Minister participates in celebrations of various religions but has, so far, not participated in the Kumbh Mela.

The Mahant, whose Bada Akahda Udasin which stood out at the Kumbh Mela for its cleanliness, said, "Modiji talks of cleanliness on Facebook. We've implemented it in our Akhada. I have been staying at Tramyabak since the last one-and-half- years supervising the preparations."

Meanwhile, devotees are thronging the Trimbakeshwar temple since the past four days to offer prayers to Lord Shiva in long queues of some 12-20 kms.

The administration has opened only one entry gate to the temple even as it has put up a giant screen showing visuals of the Jyotirlinga for devotees wishing to avoid the long queues.

ADGP Kumbh Mela Yogesh Chavan said other gates opening in the temple campus have been closed for security purposes.

However, the Temple's western gate has been opened and is reserved for special guests and resident priests.