Mahakumbh is being organized in Prayagraj city of Uttar Pradesh. Scholars say that after 144 years, this time Mahakumbh is taking place in special yoga. In such a situation, bathing here is the most important. The Mahakumbh, which starts from Makar Sankranti to Mahashivaratri, is now moving towards its conclusion. According to the data released by the government, so far more than 60 crore devotees have taken a bath in the Mahakumbh of Prayagraj. By the end, this number is estimated to reach around 65 crores.
This time, all the people who have taken a bath in Mahakumbh are more than the total population of most countries except one or two countries of the world. Not only in India, but also a large number of devotees from abroad have bathed in Mahakumbh and offered prayers. The reverence is being seen in the minds of the common people of the country including the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Union Minister, Chief Minister, Governor, MP, MLA of the country. The same reverence would hardly have been seen earlier.
Also read: Mahakumbh is a unique example of Uttar Pradesh’s outstanding managerial system.
However, on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, about 37 people died in a crowd due to stampede on the confluence of Mahakumbh. Similarly, 18 people died due to stampede in the crowd gathered at New Delhi station to come to Kumbh. Both these incidents were very unfortunate in which administrative negligence is also considered a very big hand. However, both incidents are being investigated. Only after the report of which the real culprits will be known.
Even after two such accidents in Kumbh, which is happening peacefully, the number of people taking Kumbh did not decrease, but this number is increasing day by day. At present, more than 125 crore people are taking a bath in the Ganges in Mahakumbh every day. The possibility of this number to be many times more on the upcoming Mahashivaratri is being expressed. Due to which administrative preparations are being made on a large scale. So that there is no recurrence of any accident in Mahakumbh. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath himself has come to Prayagraj and has taken stock of the preparation for the holy bath of Mahashivaratri. He has instructed the administrative officials to take full check.
While crores of people are bathing in Mahakumbh, meanwhile, a report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) said that Ganga-Yamuna water in Prayagraj is not eligible to bathe. The report was prepared by CPCB on 3 February. To prepare the report, CPCB submitted 73 samples of Ganga-Yamuna at different places in Prayagraj from 9 to 21 January. The six standards of these samples were examined on water pH value, fecal coliform, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand and design. Most of the samples taken from all the places have been found to be more than the standard. The quality of water on the remaining five standards was found according to the standard. According to the data given on the CPCB website, on January 29, the volume of fecal coliform in the Ganges was found to be 2300 in the Ganges. On January 29, Mauni was the festival of Amavasya. It is considered to be the biggest nectar bath in Mahakumbh. On that day, many crore people had dabbed in Ganga-Yamuna.
In the Mahakumbh, amidst the continuous questions about the purity of the water of the Ganges, the country’s well-known scientist Padmashri Dr. Ajay Sonkar has described the Ganges water not only as a bathable but also as pure as alkaline water. He claimed this after investigation of five ghats including Sangam, Arail in Ganga water lab. He says that even after bathing in the Ganges of more than 60 crore devotees in Mahakumbh, its purity has not been affected. Dr. Ajay Kumar Sonkar, who had a scientific discussion with missile man APJ Abdul Kalam, said that he examined the Ganges water in his laboratory in Naini. Those who questioned the correctness of Ganga water also challenged the investigation in Pavilkala. It is said that the one who has any doubt should take the Ganges water in front of me and be satisfied in our laboratory.
Top Indian scientist Dr. Sonkar has said that Ganga water is the pure. There can be no harm of any kind from bathing here. The purity of Ganga water remains intact due to bacteriophage (bacteria eater). Even after keeping water samples at incubation temperature for 14 hours in the laboratory, there was no increase in any type of harmful bacteria. Dr. Ajay Sonkar said that Ganga water is not only safe for bathing. Rather, skin diseases are also not caused by exposure to it.
Dr. Ajay Kumar Sonkar said that took samples of Ganga water from five ghats and did a subtle test in the lab. During this time it was found that despite the bathing of crores of devotees, there was neither bacterial growth in the water nor the pH level of water declined. This research found that there are 1100 types of bacteriophages in the Ganges water. Which destroys any harmful bacteria. Because of this the water did not contaminate. He said that the acidity (pH) of the Ganges water is better than normal and no foul smell or bacterial growth was found in it. The pH level of Ganga water sample was also found from 8.4 to 8.6. Which is considered much better.
The Central Pollution Control Board gave a report at the National Green Tribunal on 3 February that Prayagraj Sangam water is not suitable for bathing. After this, the UP Pollution Control Board has denyd the report of the Central Pollution Control Board by giving a new report to the National Green Tribunal on 18 February. In this report, it has been said that the water of the drain is not falling directly in the Ganges-Yamuna river of Prayagraj. Water is worth bathing at a total of six points. Only the quality of water under the Shastri Bridge is not a little right and action is being taken on the responsible officers.
However, the NGT has expressed dissatisfaction over this new report. Said that if the Central’s report is wrong, then the UP should take action. The National Green Tribunal has sought a new detailed report from the UP Pollution Control Board in a week on the quality of Ganga-Yamuna. The next hearing on this will be on 28 February. Actually, this whole matter is related to the faith of more than 60 crore devotees. Those who have come to Prayagraj to take a confluence bath in Mahakumbh. In view of the possible impact on the devotees of the Central Pollution Control Board report, the UP Pollution Control Board has responded to this by creating a new report.
The impact of the tussle in the state and the Central Pollution Board regarding the purity of the Ganges is not being seen on the people coming for Kumbh bath. The crowd of visitors is not taking the name of being reduced. There is no shortage in people’s faith. Crores of people have taken a bath in the Maha Kumbh of Prayagraj, but there has been no news of any problem. In such a situation, it is better to respect public sentiments than to dispute about the purity of Ganga water.
Ramesh Saraf Dhamora
(The author is an independent journalist recognized by the Government of Rajasthan.)