Mahakumbh: The agenda of environmental protection included in the Akharas propagating Sanatan Dharma
Prayagraj| The biggest attraction of public faith in Mahakumbh is the 13 Akharas of Hindu Dharma. Gradually, changes are taking place in these Akharas of Sanatan Dharma which are moving forward following the religious tradition. The agenda of environmental protection has been included in the Akharas propagating Hindu Dharma in Mahakumbh. The inspiration of the Yogi government of the state’s approach related to organizing Kumbh has played a role in the transformation of the Akharas. Yogi government has resolved to organize Prayagraj Mahakumbh as plastic free and green Kumbh. On one hand, the Kumbh Mela administration is making continuous efforts for this, while on the other hand, the agenda of environmental protection along with the propagation of Sanatan Dharma has also been included in the agenda of Mahakumbh of Akharas and saints.
Environmental protection was also a point in the resolution passed in the Akhara Parishad meeting held on 5 October at the headquarters of Niranjani Akhara in Prayagraj. Akhara Parishad President Mahant Ravindra Puri says that if there is nature, there is man. Therefore, the subject of environmental protection is important to preserve nature. This time in Mahakumbh, saints of Akharas will also make people aware about this. Apart from this, in Mahakumbh, saints and devotees will be appealed to promote Dona Pattal and pottery instead of plastic and thermocol utensils and plans are being made for this.
The existence of 13 Akharas emerged from the army that Adi Shankaracharya prepared to protect the nation and culture by gathering young youth from Brahmin and Kshatriya families armed with intellectual and military spirit. According to their religious tradition, these Akharas of Sanatan Dharma have been planning their religious journey for a long time.
Yogi Sarkar’s 2019 grand, divine and clean Kumbh event saw winds of change in the Akharas. Sadhus and saints coming from the deprived and Dalit classes were also appointed to senior positions in the Akharas. Kanhaiya Prabhunand Giri, a saint of Juna Akhara who first came from Dalit community, was made Maha Mandaleshwar of Juna Akhara in 2019. Taking this tradition forward, in this Mahakumbh, more than 450 saints coming from deprived and Dalit society will be given titles like Maha Mandaleshwar, Mahant and Mandaleshwar.
Under the leadership of Mahant Hari Giri, the patron of Juna Akhara, 370 Dalit Mahamandaleshwar, Mandaleshwar, Mahant and Peethadhishwar are to be made in Juna Akhara in Mahakumbh this year, the list of which is ready. Shri Mahant Durgadas of Shri Panchayati Akhara Udasin Nirvana says that even in his Akhara, there is a preparation to give high place to the underprivileged and sadhus belonging to the Dalit community in this Mahakumbh.
Mahant Jamuna Puri, Secretary of Shri Panchayati Akhara Maha Nirvani, says that the reason behind this change in the Akharas is the inspiration of the saintly Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath to honor the Mahatmas coming from the deprived communities in the Akharas as per their ability and to appoint them. To preserve Sanatan Dharma, there is a need to connect the deprived not only in the country but all over the world. Akharas are a symbol of Shiva and Shakti. Mother power has always been considered revered by the Akharas. Women power is second to none even in hoisting the flag of Sanatan Dharma.
In the Kumbh held in 2019 in Prayagraj, the impact of the echo of women empowerment in the country and the state was seen and a large number of women saints were honored on the post of Mahamandaleshwar and their Pattabhishek was performed.
Mahant Rajendra Das, secretary of Nirmohi Ani Akhara, says that eight foreign women were made Mahants in the last Kumbh Mela. In this Mahakumbh, women power will be given a big responsibility, so that Sanatan can be propagated in all four directions. There are preparations from various Akharas to make 53 women saints Mahant and Maha Mandaleshwar this time.
