Mahants of 10 Shaiva akhadas in Trimbakeshwar have strongly objected to the branding and projection of Nashik as the destination for the Kumbhmela. They have demanded that the temple town of Trimbakeshwar, which is the original place for the Kumbh, be projected as the destination for this great spiritual event. They have also objected to Mahant Gyandas being referred to as the president of Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad (ABAP).
Speaking after a meeting of ABAP, which was attended by the mahants of the 10 Shaiva akhadas, its president Mahant Narendragiri Maharaj said, "The original place for the Kumbhmela is Trimbakeshwar. For ages, as per tradition, the event of holy bath for all Shaiva and Vaishnav akhadas had been happening at Kushawarta in Trimbakeshwar. It was later that Vaishnav akhadas went to Nashik for the holy bath at Ramkund. As such, Trimbakeshwar is the main destination and it should get its due recognition."
As per tradition, the Kumbhmela was held in Trimbakeshwar with all akhadas participating there. Later on, after a tussle between the Shaiva and Vaishnav akhadas, the then administrators, the Peshwas, decided that Vaishna akhadas would take the holy bath in Ramkund in Nashik. So, since 1954, all the three Vaishnav Ani akhadas have been gathering in Nashik and the Shaiva akhadas in Trimbakeshwar for the Kumbhmela.
With the scale of the event growing day by day, its publicity and propaganda is also growing. Nashik having the district headquarters, the administration coordinated its activities of the Kumbh from the city. It is also expected that more number of persons will visit Nashik as it has a bigger geographical space than Trimbakeshwar, which is a smaller town.
The publicity of Kumbhmela states that it is an event in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar. The Shaiva akhadas in Trimbakeshwar have objected to this stating that Trimabkeshwar is the original place and should be projected in that manner.
