Directs comprehensive arrangements to ensure successful conduct of Mahakumbh
STATE TIMES NEWS
LEH: The upcoming 1st Sindhu Mahakumbh 2026 in Leh, Ladakh is being positioned as far more than just another annual festival – it symbolizes the region’s organisational strength, deep cultural roots and hospitality, while offering a grand platform to showcase Ladakh’s rich heritage to the nation and the world. The event is set to take place on June 23-24 at the sacred Sindhu Ghat and is expected to draw thousands of pilgrims, cultural troupes, dignitaries and visitors from across India and abroad.
Presiding over a high-level preparatory meeting at Lok Niwas, the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, emphasised the significance of Sindhu Mahakumbh as a reflection of Ladakh’s discipline and collective spirit. He urged all departments to collaborate meticulously on logistics, security, medical facilities, crowd control, transport, sanitation and visitor management to ensure a safe, comfortable and memorable experience for all participants.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra, Secretary of Housing & Urban Development Sanjit Rodrigues, Wildlife Warden Mandeep Mittal, Director Tourism Tsering Paldan, ADC Leh Ghulam Mohd, officials from the Public Works Department, and members of the Sindhu Darshan Yatra Samiti. Representatives from the Samiti highlighted the evolution of the Sindhu Darshan Festival, which has been organised annually since 1987 and will be marked as the first ever “Mahakumbh” edition in 2026.
The Samiti noted that the event is expected to attract pilgrims from over 25 states and union territories, along with foreign ambassadors and special guests, making it one of Ladakh’s most significant cultural gatherings to date. They also sought administrative support for logistical coordination, including hosting cultural troupes such as those from the North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala.
Kavinder Gupta invoked the ancient ethos of “Atithi Devo Bhava” – treating guests as gods – urging authorities to uphold the highest standards of hospitality, service excellence and visitor care. He directed that crowd management, traffic flow, emergency services, medical camps, potable water, sanitation, lighting and sustainable waste disposal be meticulously planned and monitored across the venue.
A Joint Control Room will ensure real-time coordination between departments, and strict accountability mechanisms will be enforced to address any operational lapses. Emphasising the dual goals of spiritual enrichment and national showcase, the LG reaffirmed the administration’s full support for making Sindhu Mahakumbh 2026 a safe, exemplary and unforgettable event that reflects Ladakh’s cultural pride, tourism potential and organisational capability.