"Only people devoted to Sanatan dharm should come for Kumbh Mela": Mahant Hari Giri

Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], October 4 (ANI): With the Maha Kumbh Mela all set to take place from January 14 to February 26, 2025 here, tight security arrangements are being made.
Head of Juna Akhara, Mahant Hari Giri said that non-Sanatan religious people would not be allowed in the Kumbh mela.
Speaking to ANI, Giri said "It is a mela for the Sanatanis. Only people who are devoted to the Sanatana dharm, wish to contribute and want to work for the mela will be allowed to come. In many situations, non-Sanatan people enter the mela which spoils the whole event. The Akhara Parishad is worried about the security of the mela. All the people who will be coming here will only be allowed to enter the fair area once their Aadhar cards are checked."
Further, he said that the Uttar Pradesh government should ban and monitor meat and liquor in and around Mahakumbh.
"The Uttar Pradesh government should ban and monitor the meat and liquor in and around Mahakumbh. No one should be allowed to bring any food here. Strict security should be maintained over a radius of 10 kilometres to ensure that the purity of the fair should not be disturbed. It is the duty of the Sanatan people to maintain the purity of the fair."
He added that the word Mahakumbh is Persian, which is derived from Sanskrit and the name is being rethought.
"See, Mahakumbh is a Persian name which is derived from Sanskrit. We are rethinking on changing the name and have kept a two-day meeting for the same. We will be issuing a government order to change the name," Giri said.
Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh government announced to provide subsidies for the transformation of dhabas, restaurants, and hotels on the major routes to offer improved facilities to tourists and devotees attending the festival.
The main bathing festival, known as the "Shahi Snan" (royal baths), will take place on January 14 (Makar Sankranti), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), and February 3 (Basant Panchami). (ANI)