Akharas’ Kumbh sojourn to end with KVT prayers

Varanasi: The 45-day Maha Kumbh pilgrimage, especially of Naga Sadhus associated with seven Shaiv akharas, will come to a halt with the offering of prayers at Kashi Vishwanath Temple (KVT) on Mahashivratri on Wednesday.
While akharas were finalising preparations for a grand religious procession, Kashi Vishwanath Dham was also set to host lakhs of pilgrims from across the globe on the day of celebrating the wedding of the presiding deity of Kashi. Amidst traffic diversions and tight security, the temple has also issued an advisory for visitors.
"The journey of Shaiv Akharas of Prayagraj Maha Kumbh 2025 will come to an end with the offering of prayers at Kashi Vishwanath Temple on Mahashivratri on Wednesday," said Juna Akhara president Mahant Prem Giri while talking to TOI on Tuesday. Busy monitoring the mounting of throne-like seats on tractor trolleys being given the shape of chariots at Chhavani of Juna Akhara, he said, "Except those who will take part in internal arrangements of akhara and its general body election, will stay here till the festival of Holi, while others will start departing Kashi for their destination."
"Now, we (all akharas) will be meeting at Trimbakeshwar for Nasik Kumbh in 2027, while our congregation for Prayagraj Kumbh will take place after six years in 2031," said Mahant, mentioning that the majority of Sadhus are waiting eagerly for Mahashivratri as they will be reaching Kashi Vishwanath Temple for the first time after the rejuvenation of the shrine area here to experience its grandeur.
Like Juna Akhara, preparations by all other akharas were also in full swing for the Mahashivratri procession to be held on Wednesday morning. Amidst challenges of managing the huge crowd of Maha Kumbh pilgrims converging on the eve of the festival, officials were also busy enforcing traffic plans strictly.
District magistrate S Rajalingam said that keeping in view the large crowd reaching the Kashi Vishwanath Temple on Mahashivratri to offer prayers and the grand procession of akharas, all necessary preparations have been completed for crowd and traffic management. Pilgrims will be offering prayers from all four doors of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, he said, adding that several rounds of discussions have been held with the temple administration and representatives of akharas to ensure no inconvenience is caused to devotees as well as Naga Sadhus.
Commissioner of police Mohit Agrawal said that arrangements have been made to ensure the smooth and safe movement of the processions of seven akharas and the offering of Jalabhishek by the seers as well as for devotees. Adequate police, PAC, paramilitary forces and ATS commandos have been deployed in the city and rooftop surveillance is being maintained in sensitive locations, he said. The Kashi Vishwanath Dham and surrounding areas have been divided into six zones and 18 sectors for security arrangements, with CCTV and drone cameras monitoring crowd management, he added.
The CP said that apart from Kashi Vishwanath Dham, an adequate police force is deployed at all temples of Lord Shiva. The traffic plan for the smooth movement of pilgrims and vehicles is already enforced, he said, adding that at some places route diversions have been enforced, while several routes have been converted into one-way or no-vehicle zones.
Large vehicles will be parked at space marked for their parking on the city's outskirts and shuttle buses and e-rickshaws will be deployed there to ferry pilgrims, he said and added that four-wheelers of pilgrims will be allowed to go up to parking areas inside the city. Officers concerned have been instructed to remain mobile, check police personnel on duty and brief them regarding their duties. Police personnel have also been directed to be polite and cooperative towards devotees, he added.