WB: Tribeni Kumbh Mela did not get much crowd this year.

Third year Tribeni Kumbh Mahotsav in Bengal is ended with Sahi Snan.

Jayprakash Das | HENB | Kolkata | Feb 14, 2024:: Though Alan Morinis, the reputed Canadian anthropologist, film maker, traveller and researcher vehemently took on the Tribeni Kumbh Organisers last year that they concocted an ‘untruth’  falsifying a ‘Tribeni Kumbh’ by forging his research paper; the significance of Ganga-Snan in Tribeni (Hoogly, West Bengal) can’t be removed from the mindset of Hindu devotees in Bengal anyway.

Though there was no mention of Kumbh Snan at Tribeni in any scripture so far, a line of hope was drawn by the Tribeni Kumbh Organisers to assemble a gathering in order to galvanize the Hindu unity in the name of Kumbh Snan. But, the fragmented leadership with an alleged business motivation and ignoring the convergence of broad Sadhu Samaj beyond their choice put an unsuccessful end of the show this year.

The Shahi Snan was scheduled on Tuesday morning at 9 o’clock. A year ago at this time the Triveni-Magra Main Road was jam-packed with the congregation of public and it was a sight to behold. But, this there is no way to understand the Kumbh bath that is taking place nearby at this time, unless you ask the public. The ground which was overcrowded in Triveni last year, this time was not even half full. Organizers alleged that this would not have happened if the administration had not hesitated or been non-cooperative in allowing Kumbh Snan for the third year. But, the administration did not accept the complaint.

A little after 10:30 p.m. the saints gathered to lead a procession for Sahi Snan (Royal bathing). It is claimed that at least four hundred saints came. There was an exhibition of chou-dance from Purulia to attract the crowd. Many people came down to the streets from nearby houses to see the Saints’ city tour. Local BJP MP Locket Chatterjee also came. At the end of Nagar Parikrama, the royal bath took place in Saptarshi Ghat.

But complaints about less crowding are heard everywhere. Many people came from various parts of the state, including Kalyani, and many of them put their shops. They regret, “The market is very bad. No buyers. There were no people because the police did not allow the fair. Not much people  came from outside too.”

Some of the organizers are also blaming the administration for this situation. Swami Uttamananda, on behalf of the organizers, complained, “The dates had to be changed again and again to get permission from the administration. There was uncertainty about the permission for Kumbh Mela. Not everyone could be informed.” The Triveni Kumbh Management Committee had earlier wanted to organize fairs and baths. But the administration did not give permission after informing about the secondary examination. Bathing at Saptarshi Ghat was later allowed conditionally. But the fair was not allowed. MP Lockett also complained, “The administration did not cooperate. When we come to government, we will make this fair world-class.”

Dismissing the allegation of non-cooperation, the sub-divisional administration claimed that due to the secondary examination, the fair was suspended with the consent of all in the coordination meeting. One of the organizers, ‘Onkarnath Mission’, said in a statement, “With the intervention of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the fair has been given permission to change the day, subject to conditions”. There was no shortage of security. A large number of police were deployed in the markets and ghats around Kumbh Snan.

The politics in the Kumbh was not accepted by a section people as apprehended. Even Shankaracharya Narendrananda Saraswati of Kashi came to Triveni on this day. After the ‘royal bath’, he said, “The current government has vaccinated 1.4 billion people of the country against Corona. Giving ration to 80 crore people. developing So the Modi government should come back to power!”

Though PM Modi lauded the Tribeni Kumbh last year in his Mann ki Baat upon a false feed-back, this year the show off in the 3^rd time Tribeni Kumbh deflects a mismanagement and distrust between the organizers and volunteers from different Hindu organisations.

It is true that there was no Kumbh in Tribeni in the past. But, significance of Ganga Snan and the importance of Tribeni in the religious history of Bengal are immense. Through such a congregation of Hindus in Tribeni in an imitation of Kumbh, the religious legacy and heritage can be restored once again in Bengal, the organisers think ahead.

Read this news in Bengali: উদ্যোক্তা-প্রশাসনের টালবাহানায় ‘জমল না’ এ বারের ত্রিবেণীর কুম্ভ

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__Inputs from ABP and Ei Samay.