BEGUSARAI: Spiritual fervour has gripped the entire Mithila, parts of Magadh and Bhagalpur regions with all 13 'akhadas' across the country agreeing to collectively organize a 'Purn Kumbha Mela ' at Simaria this year.Kumbha Sewa Samiti general secretary and MLC Rajnish Kumar on Friday said the event will start with chief minister Nitish Kumar formally inaugurating it on October 17 and the first 'shahi snan' will take place on October 19.SP Aditya Kumar said, "All security arrangements for the Kumbh are complete and CM Nitish Kumar will be here on the inaugural day on October 17. Around 2,500 policemen will be deployed for safety and security of the pilgrims."The idea to organize 'Purn Kumbha' in Simaria Ghat was mooted first by Sarvamangala Ashram, a local religious body headed by Swami Chidatmana Maharaj. With support the from local people and various organisations, the Ashram even proceeded to organize an 'Ardha Kumbha' in 2011. Though, the proposal to organize 'Purn Kumbha' in Simaria met with stiff opposition from many of the religious bodies concerned who questioned the legacy and propriety of the place for organizing such an event. However, thousands of sadhus and seers from across the country besides lakhs of devotees bolstered the claim of organizing Kumbha here.According to Swami Chidatmana, the tradition of organizing Kumbha Mela in Simaria is very old. It somehow got discontinued over a period of time. " Simariya ghat is the place where the 'amrit kalash', obtained during the 'samundra manthan', was placed. Even the historic Mandranachal mountain, that was used to churn the ocean, is located about 100 kms from Simariya ghat.The place also has the Vasuki parvat on which King Vasuki was believed to have rested after the 'samundra manthan'. From time immemorial, every year people from across the Mithila region and as far as from Nepal and Bhutan come and stay here on the banks of the Ganga in thatched houses for the entire Kartik month to take a holy dip," he said.This time, however, the claim to organize a 'Purn Kumbha' here got a shot in the arm with all 13 'akhadas' agreeing to send their delegates and also hoist their flag on the venue.Incidentally, a bitter war of words had broken out between the organisers and former Bihar Religious Trust Board chairperson Kishore Kunal on the authenticity of 'Ardha Kumbha' being organized here in 2011.Narrating details of the month-long mega religious event, Rajnish Kumar said besides the first 'shahi snan' on October 19, the second and third 'shahi snans' would take place on October 29 and November 8, respectively, with lakhs of devotees expected to take a dip.President of the samiti, Nalini Ranjan Singh, said keeping with the mood, 'Ganga Mahaarti' performed by a team of priests from Varanasi is being regularly organized, which will continue till November 16. Events like 'Vrindavan ki Raslila' and 'Ramlila' are also scheduled to be organized during the month-long religious festival, he said.Besides, Simaria being the birthplace of legendary Hindi poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, we have also organized a programme on Dinkar, where participants would recite his peoms. Several noted litterateurs are expected to participate in the event, he said.

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