Maha Kumbh Mela 2025: The Dharma Dhwaj has been installed today on Sunday (22 December) by Shri Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani in Maha Kumbh. The Dharma Dhwaj was installed after worship with Vedic mantras as per the rituals. The Dharma Dhwaj was installed with the help of Hydra with the help of four stems which are the symbol of the four Vedas. This Dharma Dhwaj will continue to fly with pride like this throughout the Maha Kumbh Mela.

The fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu among the 24 incarnations of Mahanirvani Akhara is Lord Kapil Mahamuni. There is a tradition of installing the festival flag along with the religious flag in Mahanirvani and Atal Akhara. A religious flag of 52 hands i.e. about 78 feet long has been installed in Mahanirvani Akhara. It is a symbol of the 52 shrines and 52 Shaktipeeths of the Akhara.

After the establishment of the Dharma Dhwaj, the stove is lit and the karahe are offered. Only after this, the food prasad and Anna Kshetra starts in the Akhara. After the establishment of the Dharma Dhwaj in Mahanirvani Akhara, the Kumbh Mela cantonment entry i.e. Peshwai will be taken out on 2 January 2025. After this, the Naga Sanyasis of Mahanirvani, Mahant, Shri Mahant, Mandaleshwar and Mahamandaleshwar will come and stay in the cantonment and will do difficult penance and chanting here. Many types of religious rituals will also be organized in the Akhara, the Naga Sanyasis of the Akhara will light a Dhuni here and give darshan to their devotees.

Prayagraj is one of the oldest cities of Sanatan culture. We find details of the importance and antiquity of Prayagraj in Rigveda, Puranas and epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata. Prayagraj has a special connection with the life and exile episode of Lord Shri Ram, the idol of the followers of Sanatan religion. It is mentioned in Ramayana that Lord Shri Ram left Ayodhya for exile and reached Shringaverpur Dham in Prayagraj.