Countdown to Kumbh Mela 2025: 'Kumbh Summit' Set to Launch Across 18 Divisions of UP Today

2024-10-09 05:08:32

Inaugural Lucknow Roadshow to Kick Off Kumbh Summit; Cultural Programs Lined Up

In the lead-up to the Kumbh Mela 2025, which will take place in January next year, the UP government is launching the 'Kumbh Summit' across all 18 divisions of the state, starting Wednesday in Lucknow and concluding in Prayagraj on December 24. Local artists and schoolchildren from various regions will showcase performances during the events.

Addressing the media on Tuesday, State Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh revealed that the summit will feature a series of events, including the Kumbh Abhinandan Road Show, Bal-Yuva Kumbh, Kala-Sanskriti Kumbh, Kavi Kumbh, and Bhakti Kumbh.

The roadshow will begin Wednesday afternoon at GPO Park in Lucknow, with Finance Minister Suresh Khanna inaugurating the event. It will conclude at 1090 Chowk at 6 p.m., with additional programs scheduled in Lucknow the following day.

To ensure the smooth organization of the Kumbh Summit, responsibilities have been assigned at the divisional level. The Uttar Pradesh State Lalit Kala Academy will oversee painting and photography competitions, while the Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Academy will manage classical and semi-classical singing, dancing, and instrumental performances.

Cultural and spiritual heritage exhibitions will be curated by the UP State Archaeology Department, the Uttar Pradesh State Archivist, and the Uttar Pradesh Museum Directorate.

Drama competitions will be hosted by the Bharatendu Natya Academy, and the UP Folk and Tribal Culture Institute will handle folk art and rangoli competitions.

The tourism, charitable work, and information/public relations departments will organize special exhibitions, tours, and shows related to the Kumbh, while the Archaeology Directorate will conduct an open quiz on the cultural and spiritual significance of the Kumbh.

The Culture Minister also announced plans to engage schoolchildren with the 'ideals and traditions of Kumbh,' in collaboration with the secondary and higher education department. Universities, degree colleges, inter-colleges, and other educational institutions will take part, with over 12,600 artists already registered online to participate in the events.

Starting October 11, the summit will be held in Jhansi, Varanasi, Kanpur, Ayodhya, Meerut, Aligarh, Agra, Gorakhpur, Azamgarh, Saharanpur, Bareilly, Mirzapur, Devipatan, and Basti. The summit will conclude at the North Central Zone Cultural Centre in Prayagraj on December 13-14.

Coordinators have been appointed at the divisional level to oversee the summit activities.