Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) [India]: Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Awadhesh Prasad has criticized the Uttar Pradesh government for the preparations for Mahakumbh 2025, calling the reported “chaos” at the festival site unacceptable.
Prasad emphasized the importance of maintaining the honor and respect of saints present at the event. Taking a jab at the Yogi Adityanath-led government, Prasad stated that organizing Kumbh or Mahakumbh is not a new challenge, citing the Samajwadi Party’s successful arrangements in the past.
“Organizing Maha Kumbh and Kumbh is not a new thing. When our government was in power in the state, there were such good arrangements which were appreciated by people all over the world, but today we are getting information that the kind of chaos that is happening in Kumbh is not a good thing… The government should take care of the honor and respect of the saints who are present there,” Prasad told ANI.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Urban Development Minister AK Sharma assured that all preparations for Mahakumbh 2025 are well underway, promising a “unique” and “divine” experience for attendees. Sharma highlighted that over ₹15,000 crore worth of projects have been implemented for the event.
“The Mahakumbh is starting from January 2025, but in reality, lakhs of people have already arrived at the Kumbh site. For this (Mahakumbh), we have made extensive arrangements… More than ₹15,000 crore worth of projects have been implemented here. We have made all the preparations for the Kumbh… This time, the Mahakumbh will be unique, divine, and I guarantee it,” Sharma told media.
The Mahakumbh, held every 12 years, is set to commence on January 13, 2025, and conclude on February 26, 2025, in Prayagraj. Key bathing festivals, known as “Shahi Snan” (royal baths), are scheduled on January 14 (Makar Sankranti), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), and February 3 (Basant Panchami).