Seers attending the 2025 Mahakumbh Mela will now have to show their identity proof — Aadhaar or voter ID — before gaining access to the Kumbh area. This move is part of a series of decisions taken by the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP), the governing body overseeing all 13 Akharas (seer orders), to prevent the entry of fake godmen.
The Mahakumbh is scheduled to take place on the banks where the Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers converge in Prayagraj on January 13, 2025.
Besides, the ABAP has also demanded renaming of Urdu terms associated with Kumbh and banning “non-Sanatanis” from setting up food stalls.
CHECK ON ‘FARZI BABAS’
“Many countries are at war. Also, the forces defaming Sanatan Dharma are on the prowl. In such a situation, it is our responsibility to keep the anti-Sanatan forces at bay and cooperate with the district administration in ensuring security at the Kumbh Mela. Hence, it has been decided to make the Aadhaar or ID proof mandatory for the saints and seers attending Kumbh Mela. We have directed all Akharas to provide a list of the associated saints to the district administration and other law enforcement authorities to keep a check on the entry of ‘Farzi Babas’ at the Kumbh,” said Ravindra Puri, chief of ABAP, at a recent meeting organized at the headquarters of the Niranjani Akhada, Daraganj, Prayagraj, under the chairmanship of Mahant Ravindra Puri, President of the Akhada Parishad.
At the meeting, attended by the Mahamandaleshwars of all Akharas, the body directed all Akharas to issue ID cards to their associated saints and confirmed that the list of saints would be handed over to the district administration.
It is not the first time the ABAP has raised its voice against fake godmen. In July 2024, the apex decision-making body had called for action against fraudulent saints and seers across the country, following the tragic stampede in Hathras that claimed 121 lives. On July 2, 2024, a stampede broke out during a ‘satsang’ organised by a self-styled godman, Suraj Pal, also known as Narayan Sakar Hari or Bhole Baba, in Mughal Garhi in Hathras district.
The body also emphasised on the need for strict action to prevent such figures from tarnishing the image of spiritual practices and putting the lives of devotees at risk.
CHANGING URDU NAMES, PLAN TO BAN NON-SANATANIS
In the recent meeting, other changes were also proposed. Of the many proposals, changing the Urdu terms associated with the Kumbh Mela topped the list. It was proposed that the terms ‘Shahi’ and ‘Peshwai’, commonly linked to the Kumbh Mela, be replaced with names rooted in Sanatan Dharma. “We had put the proposal before UP CM Yogi Adityanath for the final nod. We are thankful to him for considering our proposal. Urdu terms such as ‘Shahi Snan’ and ‘Peshwai’ will now be replaced with Hindi terms such as ‘Rajsi Snan’ and ‘Chhavni Pravesh’, respectively,” said Ravindra Puri.
On the ban on non-Sanatanis setting up food stalls at the Kumbh, he said, “The proposal is a fallout of several recent incidents in which urine was mixed in juice and spitting in food occurred, among other acts. All Hindus will be at the Kumbh Mela, so defiling things will not be tolerated.”
The ABAP further stated that a formal resolution for a ban on non-Sanatanis setting up food stalls will be passed after Diwali and submitted to Adityanath for approval. Additionally, the ABAP has stated that only followers of Sanatan Dharma, including barbers, carpenters, cobblers, and even on-duty staff, should be deployed at the Kumbh. The apex body also urged devotees to purchase goods only from shops that display the name of the owner. “Devotees should ensure that an idol or picture of deities is present inside the shop, dhaba, or restaurant before taking their services,” the Parishad stated. The body has also demanded a ban on the sale of liquor and meat near the Kumbh area.
THE KUMBH
The Kumbh Mela is a revered Hindu celebration held every 12 years in major Indian cities like Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nasik, and Ujjain, and symbolises purification and spiritual renewal through sacred baths in holy rivers. It draws millions worldwide seeking spiritual enlightenment and redemption from sins. The 2025 Prayagraj Kumbh Mela, slated from January 13 to February 26, is expected to see around 40 crore devotees in attendance.
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