Mumbai : According to agency reports, the Bombay High Court on Tuesday restrained the Maharashtra government from releasing water from Gangapur dam for the Shahi Snaan during the ongoing Kumbh Mela at Nashik and Trimbakeshwar on September 25.
However, this has caused bewilderment in the minds of those who know the topography of Nashik and Trimbakeshwar. The Godavari river originates in the Brahmagiri hills at Trimbakeshwar, where there is a pond called Kushavart in which pilgrims and Sadhus, mainly from the Shaiv sect take the holy dip.
The river then flows downstream around 20 km into the Gangapur dam, and then 10 km downstream to Panchavati in Nashik city, where Ramkund is located, where pilgrims and sadhus of mainly Vaishnav sect take the holy dip. It is located about 30 km downstream of Trimbakeshwar.
Shahi Snaan at Trimbakeshwar it does not require water to be released from the Gangapur dam, which is about 20 km downstream of Trimbakeshwar. And even if any person or organisation desires it would be very difficult to pump water upstream, when it is not necessary as the Kushavart kund in Trimbakeshwar always has water available.
The three important Shahi Snaans at Ramkund were conducted on August 29, September 13 and 18. Two Shahi Snaans at Trimbakeshwar were held on August 29 and September 13. The third and last Shahi Snan at Trimbakeshwar is scheduled on September 25.
