‘Kumbh’ At Kurukshetra Inaugurated By Haryana Governor, Draws Criticism

Haryana Governor Satyadeo Narain Arya inaugurated the Kumbh Mela, which is traditionally held at Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nashik and Ujjain, at Brahma Sarovar in Kurukshetra on Monday (3 November), The Tribune has reported.

The Governor said that the Kumbh Mela would be celebrated from 3 to 7 December. He appreciated the Akhil Bharatiya Sarvmangla Kumbh Samiti for the revival of the mela.

As per the report, Lok Sabha TV editor Shyam Kishore and convenor of the samiti, Swami Chidanand, were behind the organisation of Kumbh at Kurukshetra.

Members of the samiti claimed that Chidanand deciphered a reference in ancient scriptures of the Kumbh being held at multiple places including Kurukshetra centuries ago.

Kurukshetra Development Board, a state-funded body headed by the Governor, was the co-organiser of the function.

However, a scholar has disputed the claims of Kumbh Mela being hosted in Kurukshetra in the past.

Professor Himmat Singh Sinha, who was an aide to late prime minister Gulzari Lal Nanda, questioning the authenticity of the function, said the organisers were misleading the people by giving it an unverified religious name of Kumbh Mela.

He also raised questions on government agencies supporting an individual in changing the historical character of an ancient place and said that prior to allowing such events at Brahma Sarovar, scholars with expertise on Kurukshetra should have been consulted.

“I have studied the history of Kurukshetra and ancient scriptures. There is no mention that Kumbh was held in Kurukshetra in the last 7,500 years. The KDB has dented its reputation by co-organising such an event,” said Sinha.