Kumbh Mela 2019 costliest ever! Uttar Pradesh govt allocates Rs 4,200 crore

Kumbh Mela 2019: The Kumbh Mela is the largest public gathering and collective act of faith anywhere in the world. The previous state government had spent around Rs 1,300 crore for the Maha Kumbh, which was held in 2013.

Kumbh Mela 2019: Kumbh Mela which is being held in the 'sangam' city of Prayagraj, has been allocated Rs 4,200 crore by the Uttar Pradesh government. (PTI)

Kumbh Mela 2019: Kumbh Mela which is being held in the 'sangam' city of Prayagraj, has been allocated Rs 4,200 crore by the Uttar Pradesh government, making the mega pilgrimage perhaps the costliest ever. It is thrice the budget of the Maha Kumbh in 2013. The previous state government had spent around Rs 1,300 crore for the Maha Kumbh, which was held in 2013. State Finance Minister Rajesh Agarwal was quoted by PTI as saying that this time the Kumbh Mela area has been doubled as compared to the previous years. This year's Kumbh Mela is spread over an area of 3,200 hectare as compared to 1,600 hectare area in the previous melas. Apart from this, some other departments have also allocated funds for the mega event. The minister further said the endeavour of the UP government has always been to enhance the facilities for the public and establishing facilities at the ground level has been a big task.

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As the first Shahi Snan (auspicious bath) of the 2019 Kumbh Mela got underway on Tuesday, a UP Cabinet minister said the religious congregation is being held in Prayagraj after 350 years as the holy city was renamed Allahabad in the past. Religious Affairs Minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary also claimed that it's perhaps for the first time since Independence that proper arrangements (of milk, ghee, food, blankets and firewood) have been made for the seers, ashrams and akharas. In one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, more than two crore pilgrims and holy men took a dip at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers and the mythical Saraswati, as the Kumbh Mela opened today. The figures were contested by many. What is Khum Mela • The Kumbh Mela (the festival of the sacred pitcher) is anchored in Hindu mythology. It is the largest public gathering and collective act of faith anywhere in the world. • Ardh Kumbh is held in every six years, while the Kumbh Mela comes after 12 years. • The Yogi Adityanath government has renamed Ardh Kumbh as Kumbh and the Kumbh as Maha Kumbh. • The mela draws tens of millions of pilgrims over the course of approximately 48 days to bathe at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati river. • The congregation includes Ascetics, Saints, Sadhus, Sadhvis, Kalpvasis and pilgrims from all walks of life. • In all there are six auspicious bathing dates in this Kumbh - Makar Sankranti (January 15), Paush Poornima (January 21), Mauni Amawasya (February 4), Basant Panchami (February 10), Maghi Poornima (February 19) and Mahashivratri (March 4). (With inputs from agencies)