"Maha Kumbh is a confluence of peace": Swami Vijayendra Saraswathi

Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 19 : Delighted by huge participation of devotees from across the country and the world over at the start of the Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj, the Shankaracharya of Kanchi Peetham Jagadguru Swami Vijayendra Saraswathi said that the Kumbh is a priceless gift of the Sanatan cultural-spiritual heritage.
"Triveni is witnessing amazing unity of the diversity and beliefs of Sanatan Dharma and showing the economic progress of the nation and its people possible through peace, Maha Kumbh is a confluence of peace," he said, according to a statement released by Delhi representative of Kanchi Mutt.
The swami said that the experience of Kumbh deeply inspires worldly-personal consciousness of a person and the vision for global welfare. Spiritual upliftment is necessary to bring India's material progress to the forefront of the world map.
Describing the scenes of unity amid diverse faiths of Sanatan Dharma at the confluence of Triveni as amazing, he said, "The natural connection between our ancient cultural heritage and modern India shows that our thought process is timeless and progressive."
Kanchi Shankaracharya has also given a message to increase awareness among people about maintaining the religious purity of Ganga during the Maha Kumbh.
In the message, Swami Vijayendra Saraswati expressed his heartfelt happiness and said, "Those who believe in Santan Dharm Prayagraj Maha Kumbh has a special place. He also urged devotes to maintain the sanctity and purity of the river Ganga by paying obeisance to it."
"The importance of Ganga is in the Vedas and Puranas and in our Sanatan religious-spiritual tradition of thousands of years, not only our saints but the incarnation of God Lord Adi Shankaracharya also took holy dip in the Ganga and performed special puja. For our people, Ganga is just not a river but a holy pilgrimage on the sacred land of India," the Swami Saraswathi said in a press release.
Remembering the visits of all the 12 Jyotirlingas along with many Shakti Peeth by Adi Shankaracharya, he said, "Adi Shankra specially praised mother Ganga and for us it is not just a river but an idol of worship.''
He further emphasised the importance of the largest religious event in the world, highlighting how another Kanchi Shankaracharya brought the water of Ganga to him as he was not able to travel due to old age.
Swami Saraswathi added, "Having a dip at the banks of Triveni Sangam, one gets virtue as well as the blessings of God. About 36 years ago, when the then Kanchi Shankaracharya Swami Chandrashekharendra Saraswathi known as Paramacharya who is considered a living God, was unable to attend the Maha Kumbh due to old age constraints, the holy Ganga water from Triveni was brought to Kanchi by a special aircraft and he took the Kumbh dip from it. This abiding faith in Kumbha is a symbol of our spiritual vision for Ganga.''