Haridwar Ardh Kumbh naming row refuses to fade amid political, religious debate

Haridwar: The controversy over describing the 2027 Ardh Kumbh as a Kumbh continues to simmer months after it first erupted, drawing sharp reactions from religious figures, scholars and political leaders.The issue resurfaced after former Ganga Sabha president Ashok Tripathi flagged what he termed a "violation of a sacred religious tradition," triggering renewed protests and debate.Tripathi claimed that chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed displeasure over the opposition to the change in nomenclature.Adding to the criticism, noted litterateur and indologist Prof Vishnu Dutt Rakesh questioned the administration's role in what he said was strictly a religious matter. He said that ashrams and akharas traditionally make decisions regarding Kumbh or Ardh Kumbh, including the dates of Amrit Snan.However, Uttarakhand Sanskrit University vice-chancellor Prof Rama Kant Pandeya downplayed the controversy, saying calling Ardh Kumbh a Kumbh could enhance the event's significance. He noted that there was no change in the timing or bathing dates and the government's role in organising and securing the event justified some flexibility.Opposition leaders, meanwhile, alleged political motives. Former Congress councillor Ashok Sharma claimed the govt aimed to extract electoral gains by projecting the event on a grander scale, also alleging possible misuse of funds. Haridwar Congress district president Aman Garg echoed concerns, saying the move could boost local businesses but undermine established traditions.Astrologers also weighed in, pointing out that a Kumbh is determined by specific alignments of Jupiter, the Sun and the Moon, and rotates among Haridwar, Prayagraj, Ujjain and Nashik every 12 years. Ardh Kumbh is held every six years only in Haridwar and Prayagraj.With the last Kumbh held in Haridwar in 2021, experts say the 2027 event should traditionally be an Ardh Kumbh. Local astrologer Prof B D Joshi asserted that calling it a Kumbh has no astrological basis and is driven by political considerations.Despite criticism, mela officer Sonika said that the decision was based on consultations with the community of seers and that the event would be held as per their guidance.