Administration placates Sadhus at Simhastha Kumbh in Madhya Pradesh

After 'sadhus' taking part in Simhastha Kumbh here complained of mismanagement, the Madhya Pradesh government has planned to make special arrangements to placate them during the second 'shahi snan' (royal bath) in Kshipra river on May 9.

At a meeting on Thursday, presided by District Magistrate Kavindra Kiyawat, it was decided that police security would be provided to the grand processions of 'Akharas' leaving for the 'shahi snan' on May 9 and there would be complete sanitation on the routes and the bathing ghats.

An 'Akhara' is an order of Hindu renunciates or 'sadhus' who view themselves as protecting 'Dharma'. They are assigned special place and time for the sacred bath at every Kumbh pilgrimage.

The sadhus have been agitating against what they see as mismanagement and a lack of security at Simhastha Kumbh.

They had warned the administration they would boycott the pilgrimage and leave Ujjain before the second holy dip on May 9 if management and security did not improve.

Officials said the district administration also decided in its meeting on Thursday that the Akhara leaders would be welcomed at the bathing ghats on the banks of Kshipra with flowers and gifted silver coins.

--IANS

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