J&K, Ladakh all set for upscaled Kumbh Melas this year

Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are set to witness upscaled Kumbh Melas this year on the Jhelum and Indus rivers.

In a first, a nine-day Kumbh Mela has been scheduled from July 15 to July 26 at Shadipora on the banks of the Jhelum river in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district. The announcement was made by Swami Kalikananda Saraswati in Srinagar recently.

“We are in touch with the Army and other intelligence agencies in Kashmir. We are holding detailed meetings for the event. [BJP leader] Ashok Kaul is also connecting with the Army and the J&K government. Security is not an issue if people are on our side,” Mr. Saraswati said.

He said the aim of holding the Kumbh Mela, which used to take place till 1941 in Kashmir, “is to convey that God is one irrespective of names we ascribe”.

“There is no caste, creed or gender segregation. This Kumbh will convey that people stand for Sanathan and will also carry forward the message of peace delivered by the Prophet Muhammad,” Mr. Saraswati pointed out.

According to organisers, the Kumbh Mela is a pilgrimage celebrated approximately every six and 12 years. “The ritual of snan (holy bath) will also be held at the Triveni Sangam,” said Mr. Saraswati.

He appealed to locals to show solidarity for the event. “We welcome the Shia brothers’ recent efforts for Iran. We hope a similar effort is shown for Kashmiri Pandits who also suffered and were killed in the past. This Kumbh will also convey that India belongs to you and Kashmir belongs to mother Bharti,” said Mr. Saraswati.

He said the event will feature a series of religious and cultural programmes. “We have invited people from all faiths, including Muslims, Christians and Sikhs, for the event,” he added.

In the Union Territory of Ladakh, the first-ever Sindhu Maha Kumbh will be held in Leh on the banks of Indus river. In 2025, Ladakh hosted the 29^th Sindhu Darshan Festival, which was introduced by BJP veteran L.K. Advani in 1997. Hundreds of devotees attend the festival from different parts of the country every year in May-June.

Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Thursday (March 26) visited the Sindhu ghat in Leh. He stressed on aesthetic improvements, including placing large decorative pots with local flowers along the approach routes to enhance the visual appeal of the ghat. Besides, a comprehensive makeover of the site is being undertaken.

The L-G has called for adequate drinking water facilities and cleaning of the riverbanks “to ensure that visitors and pilgrims have a pleasant and memorable experience during the Sindhu Maha Kumbh”.