Nashik’s 2027 Simhastha Kumbh Mela preparations have intensified around the proposed Sadhugram site, with Narendracharya Maharaj backing the traditional Tapovan location while calling for fair treatment of farmers and minimum tree removal.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Narendracharya said Sadhugram should be developed at Tapovan, a designated area in the city where sadhus are accommodated during the Kumbh Mela. His statement comes as farmers have raised concerns about the land required for the facility and environmentalists have objected to proposed tree felling in the area.
Narendracharya said the government should first clear pending dues owed to farmers if they are opposing the process of providing land for Sadhugram. He said farmers should not face injustice, while also maintaining that the land dispute should not hold up preparations for the religious event. He offered to mediate if required and called for a permanent solution to the dispute.
The proposed development has also brought the balance between event infrastructure and environmental protection into focus. Narendracharya said some tree cutting could become unavoidable for development, but urged the government to remove the minimum possible number of trees. He also called for affected trees to be replanted at other locations and for the authorities to ensure that the replacement trees survive.
He suggested large-scale afforestation on barren hills and said development should proceed alongside protection of nature. The remarks place responsibility on the government not only to limit tree loss during construction but also to manage the long-term survival of compensatory plantations.
Water availability is another concern ahead of the Kumbh Mela, particularly amid the prevailing drought situation. Narendracharya said seers would not insist on releasing a large quantity of water for religious activities and would cooperate even if only a limited quantity were released into Ramkund. He added that the seer community would support government assistance for drought-hit farmers and livestock.
Responding to criticism over spending on the Kumbh Mela while parts of Maharashtra face drought, Narendracharya said drought relief requirements and the continuation of religious traditions would both need to be considered. His comments connect the preparations to wider questions over how the city and state will allocate land, water and public resources for a large religious gathering during a period of agricultural stress.
A flag worship ceremony and a grand procession for gram Parikrama are scheduled for Friday, October 30, with thousands of devotees expected to participate. Narendracharya is also scheduled to attend the Dhwajarohan flag-hoisting ceremony on Saturday, October 31, which is expected to be attended by President Droupadi Murmu. The immediate administrative task remains resolving the Sadhugram land issue while limiting tree loss and addressing water and drought-related concerns.
