VHP’s ‘Kumbh Snan’ Yatra offers SC/ST communities a chance to take their first holy dip at the Triveni Sangam | Representational Image
Mumbai: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has organised a special ‘Kumbh Snan’ tour for the members of the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes living in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The ‘Kumbh Samajik Samrasta Yatra’ aims to inspire a feeling of harmony among all Hindu communities and uplift the communities which have been unable to equally participate in the Kumbh Mela.
The VHP has announced a series of religious programs during the Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, including an aggressive push for liberation of temples from government’s control. However, the Hindu religious and social organisation will also ensure that all the communities of the Hindu religion participate in the once-in-12-years religious fair.
The Konkan division of Vishwa Hindu Parishad will be hosting members of the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe communities for a trip to Mahakumbh where these people will get an opportunity to take a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam for the first time in their lives. The yatra has registered 1,000 members of the SC/ST communities from Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai.
The yatra that will commence on February 11 has seen registration from the members of Matang, Valmiki, Ravidasi, Charmakar, Bauddha and other communities. The initiative is headed by the Samajik Samrasta division of VHP, which works to promote communal harmony within all Hindu communities and uplift the backward communities through social initiatives.
The Kumbh Samajik Samarasata Yatra will be organised free of cost for the members of the SC and ST communities. However, VHP has decided to collect a nominal charge of Rs500 from the devotees to instill “teerth yatra sanskar” in the participants. It is based on the Hindu belief that a yatra or religious trip is supposed to be carried out at one’s own expense without asking for money from anyone.
Talking to The Free Press Journal, Naresh Patil, Maharashtra and Goa President of VHP’s Samajik Samrasta wing, said, “The SC and ST communities have been historically deprived of the opportunity to be a part of the Kumbh Melas and take a holy bath at the Triveni Sangam. Hinduism has not deprived them of these opportunities but political intentions have made them feel that the Mahakumbh is only for the upper caste. Therefore, we want to invite them to be a part of this year’s Kumbh and make them believe that all Hindus are equal.”
