Yogi Government Prepares for ‘Mini Kumbh’ at Garhmukteshwar: Grand Arrangements for Kartik Purnima Fair Underway
Lucknow/Garhmukteshwar | Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday inspected the preparations for the upcoming Kartik Purnima Fair at Garhmukteshwar in Hapur district and the Tigri Mela in Amroha. The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure that the event, envisioned as a ‘Mini Kumbh’, is organized with grandeur, discipline, and complete coordination among departments.
The annual fair, scheduled from October 30 to November 5, is expected to draw over 40 to 45 lakh devotees to the sacred banks of the Ganga for ritual bathing and Deepdan. Conducting an aerial survey of the fairgrounds, Yogi emphasized that all arrangements — from safety and sanitation to traffic management and illumination — must be executed in a time-bound and efficient manner to avoid inconvenience to pilgrims.
He underscored that devotee safety remains the top priority, directing the deployment of NDRF and SDRF teams, installation of CCTV and drone surveillance, and establishment of rescue boats and helpline centres. The Chief Minister also instructed that the fair be made plastic-free and aligned with the broader themes of cleanliness and environmental protection.
Special attention has been given to infrastructure — with checker plates at ghats, pontoon bridge inspections, and dredging work by the irrigation department in erosion-prone areas. Adequate barricading in deep-water zones, discipline counselling sessions, and 24-hour monitoring via an Integrated Control Centre have been mandated.
Yogi directed officials to ensure zero liquid discharge systems in temporary toilets, uninterrupted power supply, fire safety measures, and proper waste segregation facilities. Health and emergency services, including temporary hospitals, anti-snake venom, and anti-rabies vaccines, will also be available.
The Chief Minister further emphasized that no extra fees should be collected from pilgrims and that arrangements for fodder, food, and water for animals be maintained. He also reviewed decorations, lighting, and information boards promoting government welfare schemes across the fair area.
Calling the Kartik Purnima Mela an “embodiment of faith, discipline, and cultural heritage,” Yogi said the event reflects the living traditions of Uttar Pradesh’s spiritual identity. “Our aim is that every pilgrim returns home with a sense of peace, devotion, and satisfaction,” he said after performing Ganga Puja and inspecting the local Sadar Bazaar and Modha production unit, praising the craftsmanship on display.
Historically, Garhmukteshwar holds deep mythological significance. It is believed that after the Mahabharata war, Yudhishthir, Arjun, and Lord Krishna performed rituals here for the peace of their ancestors’ souls. The site also marks where Lord Parashurama established the Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple. Mentioned in the Skanda Purana and Mahabharata, Garhmukteshwar is revered as a sacred place where bathing in the Ganga and performing tarpan leads to salvation.
Today, the Kartik Purnima Mela stands as a powerful symbol of devotion, culture, and community life — a reflection of India’s timeless faith and the Yogi government’s commitment to preserving and promoting its sacred heritage.
