Dates for 2007 Ardh Kumbh 'royal baths' decided

Allahabad, Mar 21 (UNI) The dates of 'Shahi Snan' (royal bathing during next year's 'Ardh Kumbh' at Sangam -- the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers have been decided.

The first royal bath will take place on January 15, 2007 -- the festival of Makar Sankranti, followed by the second on January 19 (Mauni Amavasya) and the third and last bath on January 23 (Basant Panchmi), Divisional Commissioner Lalit Verma who chaired a meeting of Akhil Bhartiya Akahada Parishad and Prayagwal Sabha in this regard last night, said here today.

The Maghi Purnima falling on February two and Mahashivaratri on February 16 are the other two significant bathing festivals, Mr Verma added.

Mr Verma in the meeting said the state government has sanctioned funds worth Rs 70 crore for the grand religious festival and the Centre has been requested to release more funds in this regard. The saints present at the meeting, however, demanded Rs 80 crore more to meet the various expenses during the Ardh Kumbh and contended that both the governments had provided funds worth Rs 1,500 crore for the last Mahakumbh in 2000, official sources said.

The saints also raised the issue of pollution in Ganga river and sought steps to provide clean water in the river during the Ardh Kumbha.

Mr Verma, responded by assuring that all efforts would be made to provide clean water in the sacred river.

An area of 6,500 acres on the sandy river bed was likely to be covered by the Ardh Kumbh next year, sources added.

The saints also raised the issue of proper security during the Kumbh, especially after the twin blasts in Varanasi on March seven UNI JL ARS PK RN1143