Seer demands formation of development authority for Kumbh Mela

NASHIK (MAHA): A Hindu seer has demanded that the Centre should form National Kumbh Mela Development Authority (NKMDA) to ensure proper planning for the mega- religious event.

Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peeth at Jagannath Puri, Odisha, Swami Adhokshjanand Maharaj told PTI that the Union government should form NKMDA so that proper planning can be done for the Kumbh Mela.

Kumbh Mela, the largest congregation of Hindu devotees, comes after every 12 years and is being held at four places in the country - Nashik/Trimbakeshwar (Maharashtra), Ujjain ( Madhya Pradesh), Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh) and Haridwar ( Uttarakhand).

Next year, the event will be held in Ujjain.

Adhokshjanand Maharaj said he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to press for his demand.

"If the Centre sets up this development authority, it will monitor all important issues (related to Kumbh Mela)," he said.

He also said representatives of various Akhadas should be appointed on the Authority.

The seer alleged that lakhs of devotees from across the country are visiting the ongoing Kumbh Mela here, but they have not been given basic facilities.

He also claimed that Centre did not provide any funds for the Kumbh Mela in Nashik.