3 Prominent Akharas attached to 3 Vaishav sects participating in the Sinhastha Kumbha Mela held the traditional dhwajarohan or the religious hoisting of flag ceremony at Sadhugram in Nashik today. The ceremony at Nashik was held in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BJP National President Amit Shah. Ahead of the ceremony grand processions were held by various akhadas, carrying their flags and other paraphernalia. Sadhus blew conches and beat drums to celebrate the occasion in a grand way.
Appreciating the efforts put in by sadhus, mahants and citizens, Chief Minister Fadnavis congratulated them for making this event a world-class event. He thanked them for making the Kumbha Mela a successful experience and assured of all the financial aid needed. The BJP National President Amit Shah praised the management efforts of various sadhus and akharas at Kumbha Mela which attracts over 1 crore pilgrims during this two month-long festival. He said so many people attending the congregation peacefully without any invitation separates it from all other religious gatherings all over the world. He also lauded the arrangements made by Nashik Municipal Corporation and state government for the Kumbha Mela.
The function was also attended by Mahant of Gyandas Swami Smarth Annasaheb More, Co-operatives Minister Dada Bhuse, BJP state president Raosaheb Danve, Guardian Minister of Nashik Girish Mahajan, Mayor Ashok Murtadak and former Guardian Minister of Nashik Chhagan Bhujbal. With shahi snan or the royal holy bath dates approaching, Nashik and Trimbakeshwar is likely to experience a heavy rise in pilgrims attending the functions.
According to the Government data, around 80 lakh to 1 crore people are likely to take holy bath which fall on four days, August 29, September 13, 18, and 25. To further make the arrangements fool proof, another batch of 4,500 police has entered Nashik and Trimbakeshwar area. The railways too have started special unreserved trains to Nashik and Deolali.