Sects seek to sink differences

This Kumbh may witness the coming together of the warring disciples of Lord Shiva and Vishnu. The Shaivite mahants are trying to persuade Va...

This Kumbh may witness the coming together of the warring disciples of Lord Shiva and Vishnu. The Shaivite mahants are trying to persuade Vaishnavite sadhus to take a holy dip at Trimbakeshwar during the fair to end an age-old feud between the two sects.

Mahant Purushottamdasji Maharaj of Anand Akhada of the Shaiva sect and chief of the Trimbakeshwar Akhada Parishad Mahant Sagaranandji said Shaivite Mahants will request their Vaishnavite counterparts to bathe at Trimbakeshwar.

This is the first time such efforts are being made since 1838 when a dispute over rights to bathe first at a kund here led to bloodshed. Hundreds were killed on both sides till then Peshwa ruler intervened. He decided the Shaivites would bathe at Trimbakeshwar while the Vaishnavite would bathe at Ram Kund at Nashik, 30 km away.

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There are 10 akhadas of Shaivite sadhus at Trimbakeshwar and three akhadas of Vaishnavites at Nashik. However, Shaivite sadhus have kept two hours free for the Vaishnavites to bathe at Trimbakeshwar.

Mahant Sagaranandji said if Vaishnavites ignore the offer, the two hours kept free for them would be used by the Shaivite akhadas this year onward. Mahant Krishnacharandasji of the Chatursampraday (Vaishnav) akhada said it would not be easy for Vaishnavites to go to Trimbakeshwar. ‘‘But if a collective decision is taken, I will abide by it,’’ he said.

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