Pushkar Kumbh Begins in Mana Village, Devotees from South India Take a Holy Dip in Faith
Pushkar Kumbh being organized after 12 years at Keshav Prayag in Mana village
The Pushkar Kumbh has ceremoniously begun at Keshav Prayag, located in the border village of Mana in Chamoli district, after 12 years. Due to the event, there has been a significant increase in the movement of pilgrims to both Badrinath Dham and Mana village. The district and police administration have made extensive arrangements for the convenience of the devotees attending the Pushkar Kumbh.
District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari stated that the pedestrian route to Keshav Prayag in Mana village has been improved in view of the Pushkar Kumbh. Signboards in multiple languages have been installed for the convenience of devotees along the route. Police personnel have been deployed on the footpaths, while SDRF teams have been stationed at the confluence point. He added that the tehsil administration has been instructed to conduct regular monitoring to ensure smooth management of the event.
It is worth noting that the Pushkar Kumbh is being organized in Mana, the border village of Chamoli district, after 12 years. According to religious tradition, when the planet Jupiter enters the Gemini sign once in 12 years, the Pushkar Kumbh is held at Keshav Prayag, the confluence of the Alaknanda and Saraswati rivers in Mana village. This event is primarily attended by devotees of the Vaishnav tradition from South India.
Religious significance of Pushkar Kumbh
According to Hindu beliefs, Keshav Prayag near Mana village is where Sage Ved Vyas performed penance and composed the epic Mahabharata. It is also believed that great South Indian philosophers like Ramanujacharya and Madhvacharya attained divine knowledge from Goddess Saraswati at this very place. Therefore, to preserve their ancient traditions, Vaishnavite devotees from South India visit Mana near Badrinath Dham to bathe and worship at Keshav Prayag.
“Pilgrimage sites are not just centers of our religious faith but also symbols of national unity and cultural cohesion. Devotees from across the country gather at these sacred places, embodying the spirit of ‘One India, Great India’. In this context, the Pushkar Kumbh being held at Mana village is connecting the North with the South.”
— Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand