Kumbh: Sadhus clash over procession route; normalcy restored

Nashik, Sep 6: Two groups of Sadhus allegedly clashed after a seer took out a procession to Ram Kund through the royal procession route in Tapovan here during the ongoing Kumbh Mela to which another group objected and attacked them and damaged two vehicles, a senior police official said today.

The situation was immediately brought under control soon following intervention by the police, who diverted the procession to another route.

The incident occurred yesterday when seer Janglidas Maharaj of Atma Malik Dhyanpeeth of Kopargaon organised a procession of his followers towards the Ram Kund through the royal procession route, and Sadhus of the akhadas objected to it, Deputy Police Commissioner Avinash Bargal said.

The Sadhus, who claimed that no permission was obtained from the akhadas for the procession, came out wielding swords, spears and lathis and damaged two of the vehicles, he said.

Police rushed to the clash site and brought the situation under control. They also diverted the procession to another route, thus averting an untoward incident, Bargal said.

No complaint was lodged by either side in this regard, hence no case was registered, he said, adding the police would probe the incident.

Meanwhile, thousands of 'mahants', sadhus and devotees today took a holy dip at Kapildhara Teerth at Kawnai in Igatpuri taluka in the district, which was once a main venue of the Kumbh Mela, a seer said.

Mahant Gyandas Maharaj, president of the All India Akhada Parishad, and mahants of the three akhadas of Nashik, namely Nirmohi, Nirvani and Digambar, participated in the royal bath at the Teerth, mahant of Kawnai, Ramnarayandas Phalhari Maharaj said.

Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan, who is also the guardian minister of Nashik, met the Kawnai mahant and others. Nashik Collector Dipendrasinh Kushwah, district Superintendent of Police Sanjay Mohite, Sub-Divisional Officer Balasaheb Wakchaure, Zila Parishad president Madhushree Chumbhale, Yeola MLA Chhagan Bhujbal and Igatpuri MLA Nirmala Gavit also visited Kawnai to attend 'Parvani' (a joyous occasion).

The district administration and the police have made all the necessary arrangements, including beefing up the security, parking lots among others. The Nashik division of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation has also arranged 200 additional buses for the pilgrims' commute, police said.

PTI