Low attendance at Simhastha Parva due to lack of facilities and severe heat !

• Millions of rupees wasted owing to lack of planning !
• Shortage of water
• Sadhus-Saints displeased over incidents of theft

Ujjain : Madhya Pradesh Government has allocated land for different ‘akharas’, ‘Khalsas’ and ‘Sampradayas’ within 19 kms area around Ujjain city. More than 5000 marquees have been erected; but the number of devotees coming for Simhastha-Parva is very less than expected as there are barricades on the way; lack of public transport and severe heat. The first ‘Amrut-snan’ took place 4 days ago but there are very few people coming for ‘Simhastha-Parva’.

There is no proper system of commuting therefore, devotees have to walk 5-6 kms distance and position is even worse during period of ‘Parvani’. Police administration stops vehicles in the absence of special passes; therefore, vehicles from city don’t come to ‘Kumbh-kshetra’. There is severe heat during 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. so, people prefer to remain inside homes and they are going out only after 5.30 p.m.

Expenditure of Rs. 10 lakhs to Rs 1 crore for erecting marquee and light arrangements !

Local administration has made available space for various big akharas within the periphery of 19 kms and spent between Rs. 10 lakhs and Rs 1 crore for erecting huge marquees, big arches, lighting etc. as is done during Ganesha festival in Mumbai- Pune; but there are hardly any devotees. Meals for 500 people are cooked in ‘akaharas’; but only about 100 devotees are present and remaining food for 400 people is going waste. At many places, ‘Katha-keertan’ events are going on but there too, presence of devotees is very less.

The Government has supplied power but it is observed that at many places, lights and halogen bulbs are on even during the day.

Equipment made available by local administration is left unused leading to loss of crores of rupees !

More than 5000 organizations, Sampradayas, ‘Akharas’ and ‘Khalsas’ have taken space at Simhastha-Parva but at many places, marquees are yet to be erected. At many places, demands made by organizations and Saints have been fulfilled by allocating them required space besides providing 5 toilets, 5 bathrooms, tap for water, 2 big water tanks etc; however, such space and equipment is lying unused. Crores of rupees of the Government are thus wasted.

Public health Centre has been set up spending Rs. 2 crores at Naravar; but it has not been made operative.

Inadequate supply of water and other provisions !

There is not adequate supply of water in areas where Sadhus, Mahants, Mahamandaleshwars and spiritual organizations have been allocated space; therefore, enough potable water and water for bath is not available. Complaints have to be lodged for sorting out the problem. At many places, there are no facilities for cleaning. Construction of ‘akharas’ is of inferior quality and sewage pipes are damaged; spreading stink. The Government is paying attention to only main 13 ‘akharas’ (10 Shaiva and 3 Vaishnava ‘akharas’) and all officers are at their service to see to only their needs. At other places, even toilet- doors are broken and there is no water supply in toilets. Water-taps at public toilets and bath-rooms are left open; as a result, all water gets wasted and is not available later, when required. At many places therefore, Sadhus- Saints are inconvenienced. They staged demonstrations at Badnagar Road on 23rd April 2016 for 2 hours by squatting on the road; since the Government was not paying any heed. The demonstrations were stopped only after the zonal Magistrate promised to solve their problems within 2 days.

More than 25 Sadhus-Saints and 1100 devotees admitted to hospital !

25 Sadhus-Saints who have come for Simhastha-Parva and more than 1100 devotees have been admitted to hospital. Minister Bhupendra Singh of MP Govt. had gone to the hospital to enquire after them. Sadhus-Saints have also given complaint about not getting enough fruits. Minister Bhupendra Singh said that the Government had made adequate provision of funds; therefore, Sadhus-Saints should be given sufficient fruits, he said and issued instruction to local administration.

Source : Dainik Sanatan Prabhat