Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced that Akshayavat and Saraswati Koop, which are located inside the Akbar Fort in Prayagraj will be open for the devotees to offer prayers. Akshayvat and Saraswati Koop will be made accessible to the public starting the Kumbh next year and will remain open for the devotees thereafter. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath further said that statues of Rishi Bhardwaj and Saraswati would be built inside the Akbar Fort. He was quoted as saying, “This is the first time Akshayvat and Saraswati Koop will be opened during the Kumbh Mela. Mughal emperor Akbar commissioned a fort there and that’s why people were not able to offer prayers there.”
CM Yogi was speaking at the inauguration of Yuva Kumbh in Lucknow. He said, “They (Akshayavat and Saraswati Koop) will remain open not only during Kumbh but even after the event gets over in March next year on daily basis.” He added, “This Kumbh will be a symbol of humanity and social harmony. Prayagraj ka itihaas hazaron hazaron varshon ka hai (Praygraj’s history spans over thousands of years). The forthcoming Kumbh in Prayagraj does not discriminate between people.”
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also said that the Kumbh Mela set to take place next year will witness the largest gathering of people. He further said that it is for the first time that the UNESCO has recognised Kumbh Mela as the biggest cultural event. He also spoke about the arrangements which have been made for the Kumbh to be organised next year. According to him, it will be the first Kumbh since independence when the pure Ganga water will be available for all the pilgrims. He added that 12 to 15 crore devotees attend the Kumbh Mela and there is no discrimination in any form against any of the devotees. Shedding light on the importance of Kumbh, he said that during the Kumbh Mela, people from the entire nation come to Prayagraj without any invitation.
The Uttar Pradesh CM also said that ‘dharmacharyas’ of various sects would come together in Prayagraj on January 20. He also claimed that the recent visit of ambassadors and high commissioners of 70 countries to the city has put the mega event on the global map. Yogi further said that the forthcoming Kumbh will symbolise humanity and grace.
This comes as a welcome announcement. It is clear that CM Yogi Adityanath does not care much about what the liberal brigade might have to say. CM Yogi is taking bold and correct decisions notwithstanding the unfair criticism that he might have to face. He is correcting the historical wrongs committed by certain rulers in the past and is setting good precedents for others to follow. It is clear that the Hindus, like all other communities, have a right to worship. And therefore, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken a much-needed decision by making the Akshayavat and Saraswati Koop accessible to the devotees. The enthusiasm with which arrangements are being made for the smooth organisation of the Kumbh Mela is also worth appreciating. The Uttar Pradesh government has realised the potential associated with religious tourism in connection with the Kumbh Mela. It is a matter of great joy that finally someone is trying to project one of our great cultural heritage in a big way.