Allahabad will host the Ardh Kumbh Mela in 2019 at Triveni Sangam. The largest devotional gathering of Hindu devotees in the world seeks participation from 193 nations and 6 lakh villages in India. The Uttar Pradesh Government headed by CM Yogi Adityanath make all preparations to make the event globally recognized.
Listed as one of the 13 elements in India’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, Kumbh Mela is one of the holiest events in Hindu mythology that happens every 12 years. While Ardh Kumbh Mela, the mini version happens once in 6 years at Allahabad, Triveni Sangam at the confluence of the rivers of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati and Haridwar along the River Ganga.
Starting in 2019 from 14/15th January, the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti to 4th March, the festival of Maha Shivaratri, the event marks the presence of devotees from all over the world to take a dip in the holy river waters at Triveni Sangam.
To make the event a global one, the UP Government plans to invite 193 countries all over the world. As per Yogi Adityanath, chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, representatives from each of these countries would be welcomed to a visit to the site of the Ardh Kumbh Mela at The Triveni Sangam in the second week of December.
The Central Government headed by Prime Minster Narendra Modi supports the initiative and has plans to personally investigate all preparation in October or November. Instructions are given to all Indian Ambassadors posted all over the world to showcase the Kumbh Mela to the world in a grand way, the Modi Government has also instructed all Indian ambassadors to portray the Kumbh Mela in the respective countries where they are posted. Also to ensure success of the event, the government seeks aid of national and international tour operators.
Regional Tourism Officer, Allahabad, Anupam Srivastava, stated that the Ardh Kumbh Mela preparations will also be monitored by a delegation of ambassadors of foreign countries led by Sushma Swaraj, External Affairs Minister. The delegation will ensure good accommodation, tourist facilities and best experiences for their nationals during the Mela.
Apart from targeting global participants, the government will make sure that at least two people from every village in India attend the Ardh Kumbh Mela 2019. Out of a total of 6 lakh villages in the country, participation of 12 lakh people is expected.