Basant Panchmi celebrated with religious fervour, gaiety

Yoga practitioners from India and abroad have arrived at Parmarth Niketan Ashram to participate in the event.

In an emotional and strongly worded statement, Brahmachari Ashutosh Maharaj alleged that he and his followers are facing serious threats after the Allahabad High Court granted interim relief to Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati in a POCSO-related case.

"Our counsel informed that the court has stayed our arrest after listening to both sides during the hearing. Our appeal was that the case is fabricated. Surely the judge found substance in our appeal, and so he gave the verdict. That is why we were saying from the beginning to present the truth in the court, and the verdict affirms that the court agrees this case has been false," Swami Avimukteshwaranand said while addressing a press conference.

The Congress leaders held the havan rituals at the Hanuman Temple located at Red Cross Square in the state capital Bhopal on Friday and alleged that a conspiracy was being hatched against the Shankaracharya to defame him.

A key hearing in connection with Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati is scheduled to take place here on Friday at the Allahabad High Court.