Kumar Bahukhandi
Gariaband: The genetic Sant Samagam was inaugurated on Friday, February 21, 2025 at the Triveni Sangam in the pilgrim town of Rajim. Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh was present as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony. In the Sant Samagam, the chief guest Dr. Raman Singh along with saints and Sadhus offered flowers and lit lamps to the statue of Lord Shri Rajiv Lochan installed on the stage and prayed . Everyone prayed to Lord Shri Rajiv Lochan for the happiness, prosperity and well-being of the state. On this occasion, devotees received the company and blessings of Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vishokanand Maharaj, Mahamandaleshwar Swami Premanand Giri, Mahamandaleshwar Naval Giri Maharaj, Mahamandaleshwar Swami Shaileshanand Maharaj, Mahamandaleshwar Manmohandas Maharaj, Brahmachari Dr. Indubhavanand Maharaj, Dandi Swami Sachchidanand Tirth Maharaj, Sant Dwarkesh Maharaj, Sant Gurusharan Maharaj (Pandokhar Sarkar), Mahant Narendradas Maharaj, Swami Rajiv Lochandas Maharaj, Rambalk Das Maharaj, Sadhvi Mahant Pragya Bharti and other distinguished saints.
Addressing the program, Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh said that it is our good fortune that we are getting the blessings of the saints and their darshan here. Dr. Singh paid his emotional tribute on the death anniversary of the late saint poet Pawan Dewan on the stage. He said that saints are present in Chhattisgarh in the Virat Sant Sammelan. It is our good fortune that we have reached Rajim after the Prayagraj Mahakumbh bath. We cannot bring Prayagraj here, but the presence of saints has increased the importance of Rajim Kumbh Kalpa. Chitrotpala is mentioned in the Puranas. Mahanadi originated from Shringi Rishi. During my tenure as Chief Minister in 2005-06, I had the good fortune of organising Kumbh in Rajim in the presence of saints and sages. I would like to thank all the saints, due to whose awakening Sanatan Dharma is progressing. Our effort will be to take forward the glorious place that saints have. All you saints should keep coming to Rajim and the beauty of Rajim should keep increasing in your dignified presence.
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Vishokanand Maharaj gave the slogan of Chhattisgarhiya sabse badhiya. He said that Maa Kaushalya was born in Chhattisgarh, there are many temples here. Chhattisgarh is the best because it has done the work that many states of India could not do. Chhattisgarh hijacked Prayagraj and brought it here. The pilgrimage Prayagraj cannot come to Chhattisgarh but Chhattisgarhis have seated these mahatmas who are the representatives of the pilgrimage Prayagraj here.
Maharaj ji said that due to the efforts of the government, Rajim Kumbh has started here again. Therefore, we have a feeling here that the merit earned by taking the Kumbh bath in Prayagraj should also be received by this state. He said that I am telling you with a pure heart that I had done the first Kumbh in Haridwar in 1974. In 1988, I became Mahamandaleshwar and did Kumbh in Prayag, which I have done till 2025. I was not so happy with the 2025 Kumbh there as I am overjoyed with the 2025 Kumbh in my Rajim. Our feeling is that our saints have appealed that along with the arrangements in Rajim, there should be comprehensive arrangements for the religious places and educational places of the saints so that the form of this Kumbh attains even more grandeur.
Mahasamund MP Roopkumari Chaudhary, Rajim MLA Rohit Sahu, MLA Abhanpur Indra Kumar Sahu, former MP Chandulal Sahu, newly elected presidents of municipal councils, Raipur commissioner Mahadev Kanware, managing director Chhattisgarh Tourism Board Vivek Acharya, Gariaband collector Deepak Kumar Agarwal, SSP Ajit Kukreja, Superintendent of Police Nikhil Rakhecha along with a large number of saints, eminent people and a large number of devotees were present in the program.
