Simhastha Kumbh Mela begins in Ujjain. Largest show on the earth!

Simhastha Kumbh Mela begins in Ujjain, over 5 Cr people to visit.

HENB | Ujjain | April 22, 2016:: The month-long Simhastha Kumbh Mela, largest congregation of Hindus began in Ujjain early Friday with the arrival of Juna Akhara for the Shahi Snan (royal dip/bath) on the banks of Kshipra river. At lest 5 Crores people are expected to come to this holy confluence of devotion and faith for the redemption of their sins or negativity through the holy dip in the river Kshipra and also to meet Lord Mahakaleshwar for praying for the world peace and harmony.

A large number of people from different corners of the country have converged in the holy city for the Simhastha Mela, held every 12 years at Ujjain, which is also the abode of Lord Mahakaleshwar, one of the 12 Jyotirlings in the country.

All the 13 Akharas of saints and seers will take dip one after another for which elaborate arrangements were made along the banks of Kshipra river.

Ujjain is fully geared up to host the month-long Kumbh Mela, during which over 5 crore people including seers are expected to visit the holy city, with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan saying it will be a “Green Simhastha”.

“Over 5 crore pilgrims are expected to visit Ujjain and other holy places during the fair, for which huge security and logistical arrangements have been made, including shifting of police forces from various districts to Ujjain, one of the 12 jyotirlingas and the abode of Lord Mahakaleshwar,” Mr. Chouhan said on Thursday evening on the eve of the Mela.

“Around 5 crore devotees are expected to take part in the Kumbh Mela on the banks of pious Shipra river for which security has been ramped up in every nook and cranny of the district,” said Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ujjain Range, Madhu Kumar.

At present, 22,000 security personnel, including the State policemen, personnel from central forces and other departments have been deployed, he said.

“At the time of Shahi Snan (royal dip) in Shipra river, 25,000 security personnel will keep a watch at the Mela venue,” Mr. Kumar added.

“We have made all arrangements for holding the grand religious Simhastha mela in Ujjain. During the month-long fair, a three-day international philosophic convention will be held which will be inaugurated by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on May 12 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the concluding function on May 14,” Chouhan told reporters here.

He said on the basis of deliberations of the convention, a declaration would be released on issues confronting the world like global warming, environment and pollution, value-based life, science and spiritualism, welfare of human being through religion, organic farming, cleanliness and women empowerment.

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__with inputs from PTI.