Kumbh not for 5-star culture, true devotees don’t want glitz, glamour: Mahant Dharmendra Das

A section of the sadhus are unhappy with the chatter around viral sensations at the Maha Kumbh, saying they divert attention from what the festival is really about — spirituality and faith of devotees.

A section of the sadhus are unhappy with the chatter around viral sensations at the Maha Kumbh, saying they divert attention from what the festival is really about — spirituality and faith of devotees.

"Mahakumbh is not a hub of glamour and five-star culture, it is the centre of sadhus, devotees and the Sanatan faith," said Mahant Dharmendra Das, head of Udasin Akhara Bandhua Kala Cantonment and chairman of All India Udasin Communal Sangat.

Since the beginning of the Maha Kumbh last month, many influencers, models and actors have had their brief moment in the sun of virality: model-turned-sadhvi Harsha Richaria, garland seller Mona Lisa, 'IIT baba' Abhay Singh and actor Mamata Kulkarni to name a few.

"If the media promotes such people instead of serving so many sadhus, then the fault lies with the media. Why are media houses doing this? You people should think about it yourself," Mr. Das told PTI in an interview at Sector 20 of Triveni Road Mela Sthal in Prayagraj Mahakumbh.

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The priest said many devotees come to the Sangam to spend the night under the open sky and bathe in the Ganga. They are unbothered by arrangements made for them and uninterested in "glitz and glamour" or "big tents".

He said this referring to the stampede on Mauni Amavasya, considered to be the most auspicious day of the festival, in which many people were killed.