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In Nashik, atmosphere charged with religious fervour at Kumbh Mela inauguration

As per tradition, the flag hoisting on Ramkund, which signifies the entry of Jupiter, the sun and the moon into Leo, and the beginning to the Mahakumbh Parva, is hosted by the Purohit Sangh. The Sadhu Mahants attend and bless the occasion.

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A saffron flag is raised at Ramkund, Nashik, signalling the beginning of the Mahakumbh Parva on Tuesday ­
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A saffron flag with motifs of a lion, Jupiter, the sun, the moon and a crocodile fluttered on the Ramkund in Nashik at 6.16 am on Tuesday, signalling the beginning of the Mahakumbh parva – the period in which the Simhastha Kumbhmela is held - in an environment that was pious and full of energy and enthusiasm.

Nashik Guardian and Kumbhmela minister Girish Mahajan, with his wife Sadhana, began the pooja with Ganesh Vandana and Punyahavachan at 5am. Then came the worship of river goddesses Ganga and Godavari, followed by the Dharma Dhwaja ceremony. At 6.16 am, the flag was hoisted by Jagatguru Hansdevacharya, Jagatguru Naraendracharya, Mahant Gyandas, and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in the presence of Union Minister of State for home Shreedhar Naik, state finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, guardian minister Girish Mahajan, mayor Ashok Murtadak, Mahants of three Adi Vaishnav Akhadas- Mahant Ramkrishnadas, Ramkishoredas, Dharmadas and Ayodhyadas, Vallabhacharya of Vallabhpeeth, Guru Mauli Anna Saheb More, Saheban Maharaj of Shree Ram Shakti Peetham, Satish Shukla, Dilip Shukla, Amit Gaidhani and other office bearers of Purohit Sangh, MPs, MLAs and other Sadhu Mahants.

As per tradition, the flag hoisting on Ramkund, which signifies the entry of Jupiter, the sun and the moon into Leo, and the beginning to the Mahakumbh Parva, is hosted by the Purohit Sangh. The Sadhu Mahants attend and bless the occasion.

Thousands of pilgrims gathered on the banks of the river Godavari to witness this sight, which is seen only once in 12 years. As the flag unfurled in the air on the 31-foot high mast, thousands of hands rose up in the air chanting, "Prabhu Ramchandra ki jai, Ganga Godavari mate ki jai". A helicopter showered rose petals on the flag as well as on the dignitaries and the pilgrims, adding to the mood of the event. The river banks were lined with the pious, as the pundits, purohits, mahants, sadhus, ministers, officials, people's representatives and the pilgrims all prayed to the gods and the river for 'vishwa kalyan' - peace and prosperity of the world.

After the flag hoisting event, the dignitaries gathered on the dais, and, amidst much chaos, were welcomed and felicitated- a stark contrast to the neat and very timely flag hoisting ceremony. With many dignitaries on the dais and many volunteering to give suggestions to the announcer as to what was to be done next, the chaos continued for about 20 minutes till Mahant Gyandas addressed the pilgrims.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in his speech, appreciated the work put in by the authorities to make the Kumbh a 'Harit Kumbh' or green Kumbh.

He said, "The Maharashtra government has tried its best to provide facilities for the sadhu mahants, but if anything is lacking, they should forgive us, for both dharma shakti and rajshakti ultimately work for the good of the people. On this occasion, I pray that the gods bring in rains and reduce our worries and those of the farmers."

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