Allahabad: Pilgrims coming to the Sangam can now have darshan of the centuries-old mythological tree, Akshayvat, and the ‘Saraswati Koop’ inside the once out-of-bounds Akbar Fort round the year, barring one month. This was announced by chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday, while officially declaring the end of the 49-day Kumbh Mela. These religious sites will not be accessible to pilgrims for a month to allow maintenance. The closing ceremony was also marked by thanksgiving and honouring workforce engaged in successful completion of the Kumbh.“The Prayagraj Development Authority would be entrusted with the task of maintenance of the religious sites inside the fort, which witnessed one-lakh footfalls during Kumbh. We have got approval from defence authorities and formalities would be completed soon,” said Yogi.The state government would bear the cost to maintain the holy sites. Applauding the Kumbh core team, the CM announced all its members will be given one-month salary as bonus for successful completion of Kumbh. He also lauded the police for organizing a ‘safe kumbh’ and announced all policemen posted for Kumbh duty, would be honoured with Kumbh Seva Medals. “Certificates of appreciation would also be given to all staff members of different departments,” he said.The event was held at Ganga auditorium and deputy CM Kesav Prasad Maurya garlanded prominent seers on the dais, including president of Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad, Narendra Giri.Representative of all 13 akharas were also present and honoured by various ministers of the Yogi government. The CM also said this is the first Kumbh, which set new records. “Be it security, cleanliness and its sheer magnitude, UP will now feature as the best tourist spot in the country as this Kumbh set an example of how government machinery can do wonders,” said Yogi. However, when the governor stood up to speak, nearly all seats were empty.Replying to CM’s remark that only the Governor did not take a dip at the Sangam, Ram Naik lauded Yogi for being a keen observer. He clarified he was advised by doctors not to swim or bathe in rivers. “Ganga ka acchman’ is equivalent to taking bath in Ganga,” he said. Naik said, he’s happy his idea of renaming Allahabad as Prayagraj before Kumbh was accomplished. He termed the upcoming general election as the next Kumbh and appealed to voters to participate in large numbers.

Stay updated with all the Allahabad Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.