After assuming power in 2018, the former Congress government opted to rename the annual religious gathering as “Raji Punni Mela.” Following a shift in leadership, the Congress government rebranded the event as “Rajim Punni Mela.” The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government is now poised to potentially rename the occasion as “Rajim Kumbh Mela,” with insiders suggesting a decision may be reached in the upcoming second cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
Rajim, located in the Gariyaband district, attracts thousands of Hindus each year for the annual Rajim Kumbh pilgrimage, involving a sacred bath in the holy river. Similar to the tradition in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, Rajim also hosts the “Kalpwas” ceremony.
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The Rajim religious community performs a ritual known as the “fifth Kumbh” near the sacred confluence of the Mahanadi, Pairi, and Sondur rivers. The congregation is scheduled to commence on February 22, spanning fifteen days.
In 2019, after assuming power, the Congress government expressed its intent to revert to the original name of the congregation. They argued that the previous name was “Rajim Magh Punii Mela,” not “Rajim Kumbh,” and alleged that the 2006 renaming to Kumbh Mela was a political maneuver by the BJP government. A prominent BJP figure expressed optimism that the event’s name would be reinstated as “Rajim Kumbh Mela” in the current cabinet meeting. Plans initiated by the Congress government five years ago are also expected to be revisited.
The cabinet meeting is set to address various issues, including the approval of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate cases in Chhattisgarh. In the first cabinet meeting on December 14, the state administration resolved to disburse the overdue bonus for paddy procurement in 2017-2018 on December 25. Additionally, they announced that 18 lakh households would benefit from the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
The Rajim Kumbh Mela, drawing millions of followers from India and abroad, stands as one of the country’s most significant faith festivals. Celebrated in different parts of India, devotees of sages, saints, Mahama, Rishi Muni, and Margadharas Guru flock to Rajim Aquarius annually.
Devotees participate in a special midnight pooja at the holy sanctum in Sangam, Triveni Sangam, where the three holy rivers converge. The Prayag Mahaladi, situated at the convergence of the Peri and Sondur rivers, is revered as the heart of the Aquarius “5” on Earth.
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The Rajim Lochan Mahotsav garners considerable interest, offering visitors a chance to marvel at the architectural brilliance of the Rajimalochana Temple and partake in the festivities of the fair. The Chhattisgarh Ministry of Tourism has demonstrated proactive efforts in recent years to enhance the scale and grandeur of the Rajim Kumbh Mela.