Sunday, 11 April 2021 | Gajendra Singh Negi | Haridwar
Balak Yogeshwar Das sets up Shaheed Nagar for 100 Shatkundiya Yagya
At Kumbh Mela which is considered as the largest religious gathering in the world, one can witness various saints engaging in different religious activities, rituals and spiritual affairs. However there are some like ascetic Balak Yogeshwar Das who draw the attention of everyone with his unique approach and Sadhna. In every Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh, Das organises a massive 100 Shatkundiya Yagya for peace to the souls of those who have laid their precious lives for the nation. He has been doing it since the year 2003. This year the Yagya would commence from April 11 and continue till April 26 at the temporary Shaheed Nagar in the Kumbh Mela area. When this correspondent visited the Shaheed Nagar set up in three acres of land located at Bairagi camp on the banks of the Ganga in Haridwar, Das was busy giving final touches to the preparations. This year the invitations have been sent to families of 450 martyrs which include those who laid down their lives in the 26/11 Mumbai attack, Pulwama attack and Kargil war.
“I got the idea of a special Yagya for the martyrs after the martyrdom of Major Ajay Singh Jasrothiya. The pain of his family motivated me to do something for the martyrs,’’ he said.
“If these young men can offer their lives for the country why cannot we offer oblation of rice, ghee and things in the Yagya for them,’ he added.
The ascetic who has many Ashrams in the country and commands a considerable following worldwide said that initially it was difficult for him to convince the families of the martyrs for the Yagya. “I personally visited the martyrs’ families in all parts of the country and persuaded them. Gradually they accepted the idea and started attending the Yagya. During the Yagya the family members share their grief. In some cases the families have entered into matrimonial associations also,’’ he said.
The Havan Kunds have been prepared on the bank of the Ganga and with a massive 60 feet entrance gate of the site where Yagya would be offered by more than 500 priests and the relatives of the martyrs. At the apex of the whole makeshift structure a large pole with tricolour is placed. The pictures and portraits of the martyrs including the freedom fighters would be placed everywhere in the Shaheed Nagar before the start of the Yagya. Arrangements for the comfortable stay of the family members of the martyrs have also been made. Das’ Ashram even pays for the travel expenses of the families of the martyrs for the Yagya.
