PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Jyotirmath
The Pushkar Kumbh began ritually after a gap of 12 years at Keshavprayag in Mana near Badrinath in Chamoli district on Thursday. A large number of devotees, especially from the south of India arrived in this border area especially for this sacred event.
Chamoli district magistrate Sandeep Tiwari informed that the authorities had improved the condition of the bridle path to Keshavprayag for this occasion. Apart from signages in various languages for the convenience of visitors, the authorities have also deployed police on the bridle path and other areas to ensure the safety of the visitors and proper conduct of the sacred ritual. The Pushkar Kumbh held at the confluence of the Saraswati and Alaknanda rivers attracted a large number of devotees on Thursday.
This sacred occasion is being held at Mana after a gap of 12 years with Jupiter entering Gemini. A large number of devotees, especially Vaishnavs from the south of India attend this sacred event. It is believed that Maharshi Vedavyas had undergone penance near Mana village and had written the Mahabharat here. It is also believed that the great saint Acharya Ramanujacharya and Madhavacharya had also gained knowledge from Goddess Saraswati in this place.
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “The centres of pilgrimage are not only our centres of faith but also a symbol of the nation’s unity and cultural harmony. Devotees from various regions gather in such places. The Pushkar Kumbh at Mana unites the south and north of India,” he said.
