As the nation immersed itself in the 76th Republic Day celebrations, the grand spiritual congregation at the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh showcased a unique blend of devotion and patriotism under the Yogi Adityanath government’s leadership. Along the sacred banks of the Sangam, saints, sages and various institutions marked the occasion with enthusiasm.
The camps of saints and institutions in the Maha Kumbh area became hubs of national pride as the tricolour was hoisted at various places. The national anthem echoed across the spiritual gathering, and collective pledges were taken to uphold the unity and integrity of the country.
The saints and sages immersed in spirituality at the Maha Kumbh celebrated Republic Day with great enthusiasm and energy. The sacred grounds of the Maha Kumbh were adorned with saffron flags alongside the tricolour, creating a unique blend of devotion and patriotism.
The celebrations began at the Dandi Swami Nagar, where thousands of saints from the All India Dandi Swami Parishad, led by its president Jagadguru Swami Maheshashram, unfurled the national flag and sang the national anthem. This year marked the silver jubilee of the Dandi Swamis’ tradition of celebrating Republic Day along the Sangam since 2001.
On the occasion, Swami Maheshashram administered an oath to all Dandi Swamis to work for the unity and integrity of the nation. He shared plans to send a Dandi Swami to every village across the country to counter attempts to weaken Hindu society on caste lines, emphasising that a strong nation depends on a unified and strong Sanatan dharma.
The Republic Day morning at the Maha Kumbh resonated with the national anthem, blending seamlessly with the usual chants of ‘Har-Har Gange’ and ‘Har-Har Mahadev’ along the banks of the Ganga and Yamuna. In the akhara sector, the sight of saffron merging with the tricolour was a highlight of the day.
At the Shri Niranjani Akhara camp, the national flag was unfurled under the leadership of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Mahant Ravindra Puri, with saints and devotees joining together to sing the national anthem. Similarly, the female Naga ascetics of Shri Panch Dashnam Sanyasini Akhara celebrated Republic Day by unfurling the tricolour.
On this occasion, Mahant Ravindra Puri urged devotees arriving for the Mauni Amavasya snan at Triveni to take holy dip in the nearest accessible Ganga ghats, emphasising that the entire Maha Kumbh area offers equal spiritual merit for bathing.