A Akhara Parishad warns against fake godmen in Haridwar Kumbh

Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), Dec 25 (IANS) The Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP), the apex body of saints and seers, has warned against the entry of fake Shankaracharyas and self-styled godmen in Haridwar for the Kumbh Mela, beginning in January.The Akhara Parishad is preparing a list of such fake saints and self-styled godmen and will send it to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat so that such elements do not get any recognition and facilities during the Kumbh through Mela administration.Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Mahant Narendra Giri Maharaj while talking to reporters, cited the recent demand of self-styled Gayatri Triveni Prayagpeeth pontiff Trikal Bhavanta Saraswati, to get land allocation and other facilities for the Kumbh Mela. He said that no fake saints should be allowed to enter the Kumbh zone.Mahant Narendra Giri said the state government should keep in mind that only four Shankaracharyas of these holy seats should be given the status, recognition, land allocation and other facilities during the four-month long Maha Kumbh.Akhara Parishad general secretary Mahant Hari Giri Maharaj said at their level, they are apprising the state government and Mela administration officials about the real and fake saints."We have sought names of such fake saints from across the country and as we get them, we will discuss and take a decision accordingly in our meeting. We have already urged Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Trivendra Singh Rawat, and Kumbh Mela officer-in-charge Deepak Rawat to ensure fake saints do not get entry and privileges during Maha Kumbh," he said.It may be recalled that earlier in 2018, the Akhara Parishad had released in four phases, a list of more than two dozen "fake saints" ahead of the Prayagraj Kumbh held last year."In recent times, a large number of incidents of self-appointed, fake or controversial godmen, pontiffs, Jagadgurus and Shankaracharyas have come into light."Even in the previous 2010 Maha Kumbh, the issue of fake Shankaracharyas had come to fore. So, it is good that the Akhara Parishad is taking up this issue ahead of the Maha Kumbh 2021," said Mahamandaleshwar Harichetnanand Maharaj of Shri Panchayati Akhada Bada Udasin.

--IANS amita/dpb