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K. Sandeep Kumar

K Sandeep Kumar is Senior Assistant Editor and Prayagraj Bureau in-charge of Hindustan Times. A journalist for over two decades, he has written extensively on politics, education, science and technology research, defence and human interest issues in Uttar Pradesh.

Articles by K. Sandeep Kumar

12,000 Naga sadhus to be ordained at Mahakumbh

Rituals involve three days of spiritual austerities for aspirant sadhus ahead of the ordination ceremony; Juna, Niranjani and Mahanirvani Akhadas begin preparations

Hundreds of sadhus attending the ordination ceremony of the Juna Akhada in the freezing cold during Kumbh Mela-2019 (HT File Photo)
Updated on Jan 16, 2025 05:00 AM IST
By, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)

Mahakumbh: The mystic world of Naga sadhus and their 17 ‘shringar’

Naga sadhus prepare for Amrit Snan by performing a unique 17 shringar, involving cleansing and smearing ash, before bathing in the Ganga.

Naga Sadhus in procession before the first Amrit Snan of Mahakumbh-2025 on occasion of Makar Sankranti on Jan 14. (Deepak Gupta/HT)
Updated on Jan 15, 2025 05:42 AM IST
By, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)

Sadhus earns titles like ‘Jagadguru’, others for their knowledge, meditation

At Mahakumbh-2025, many sadhus display titles like 'Jagadguru' and 'Shankaracharya', reflecting their knowledge and penance, enhancing devotees' faith.

Vehicles of sadhus bearing their titles with pride in tent city of Mahakumbh-2025 in Prayagraj (Anil Kumar Maurya/HT)
Updated on Jan 14, 2025 10:34 PM IST
By, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)

Makar Sankranti@Mahakumbh: Trans sadhus take dip, pray for happiness, prosperity of nation

The Kinnar Akhada, along with their hundreds of trans community members, arrived in a procession of 51 ‘chariots’ at Sangam Nose

Sadhus of Kinnar Akhada and members of trans community led by Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi taking a dip at Sangam during Amit Snan in Prayagraj on Tuesday (Anil Kumar Maurya/HT)
Published on Jan 14, 2025 09:45 PM IST
By, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)

Over 1.65 crore take holy dip on Paush Purnima:Mahakumbh begins amid flood of fervour, shower of petals

Spurred by zest and undeterred by the early morning chill, pilgrims from across the country and abroad bathe at Sangam

Over 1.65 crore take holy dip on Paush Purnima:Mahakumbh begins amid flood of fervour, shower of petals
Updated on Jan 14, 2025 05:44 AM IST
ByKenneth John K Sandeep Kumar Rajeev Mullick, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)

Mahakumbh Paush Purnima Snan: Transgender high priest leads members of trans community to take holy dip

Swami Kaushaliyanand Giri aka Tina Ma, Maha Mandaleshwar (Uttar Pradesh) of Kinnar Akhada and member of Uttar Pradesh Kinnar Welfare Board, led a large group of her disciples and members of the trans community in a holy dip.

Maha Mandaleshwar (UP) of Kinnar Akhada Swami Kaushaliyanand Giri aka Tina Ma along with her disciples and members of the trans community taking a dip in Ganga on Paush Purnima at Ram Ghat in tent city on Monday. (HT PHOTO)
Updated on Jan 13, 2025 06:38 PM IST
By, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)

Sea of pilgrims throng Sangam for holy dip as Maha Kumbh 2025 begins

The enthusiasm of the devotees on the first day indicates Maha Kumbh 2025 may see a bigger crowd of devotees than what the UP government anticipated.

Devotees take the holy dip at Mahakumbh 2025. (HT Photo)
Updated on Jan 13, 2025 12:32 PM IST

A celebration of spiritual grandeur

Spread across a 4,000-hectare area, the sanitation system includes 10 walk-behind sweeping machines, over 150,000 toilets, 25,000 dustbins, and 5,000 urinals.

Devotees at Mahakumbh on Day 1(Prayagraj District Administration via ANI)
Published on Jan 13, 2025 08:49 AM IST

Mahakumbh: Batuks from Varanasi getting hands-on training at Akhada camp

Over 450 Vedic and Sanskrit scholars staying among the seers to learn how to perform rituals and conduct themselves

In the Mahanirwani akhada camp, there are 450 of his fellow ‘batuks’ (students) performing different tasks and helping senior sadhus while learning how to serve food, how to talk and interact. (Anil Kumar Maurya/HT)
Updated on Jan 12, 2025 07:24 AM IST
By, Prayagraj

Ancient, painstaking recipe of Naga sadhus’ sacred ash

The method of preparation used is an ancient one, said Swami Hari Giri, the secretary of Akhil Bhartiya Akhada Parishad (Hari Giri faction) and a patron of Shri Panch Dasnaam Juna Akhada

A naga sadhu at his camp in tent city of Mahakumbh-2025 in Prayagraj (Anil Kumar Maurya/HT)
Updated on Jan 11, 2025 09:14 PM IST
By, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)

Steve Jobs’ wife Laurene to camp at Sangam banks

Other prominent personalities expected to attend the mega event include Sudha Murthy, Savitri Jindal, Hema Malini, Vivek Oberoi, Naveen Jindal, Anup Jalota

Laurene Powell Jobs (File Photo)
Updated on Jan 10, 2025 05:26 AM IST
By, Prayagraj

Tales of Hatha Yogis, embracing physical challenges as acts of extreme devotion

Many great ascetics and ‘Hatha Yogis’ have also arrived at the world’s largest fair, set to kick off on January 13

Aawahan Akhara Mahant Mahakal Giri (Ht Photo)
Updated on Jan 08, 2025 05:44 AM IST
By, Prayagraj

Mahakumbh: Seers embrace spiritual identity as Aadhaar cards reflect gurus, not parents!

At Mahakumbh-2025, sadhus and sanyasis use guru names on IDs instead of parents, reflecting their spiritual commitment and traditions.

Saints camping in tent city of Mahakumbh-2025 with photos of their gurus above them in Prayagraj (HT Photo)
Updated on Jan 06, 2025 08:36 AM IST
By, Prayagraj

‘One bag, One Thali’ initiative launched for plastic free Mahakumbh

Mahakumbh-2025 aims for zero waste with 'One Bag, One Thali' initiative, distributing steel plates and cloth bags to promote cleanliness and environmental care.

Volunteers distributing steel plates and cloth bags in the mela area ahead of Mahakumbh-2025 in Prayagraj. (HT Photo)
Updated on Jan 04, 2025 07:08 AM IST
By, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj):

Aghori seer ‘Chhote Dadubut’ draws crowds at Mahakumbh

The world's largest spiritual fair at Sangam from January 13 features Swami Ganga Puri, a unique 3-foot-8-inch seer devoted to Aghor Sadhna.

Smallest Sadhu Shri Ganga puri allias Chhote Maharaj (3feet 8inch hight) of Juna Akhara walks at Sangam (HT)
Updated on Jan 04, 2025 05:34 AM IST
By, Prayagraj

Tiles, bricks made from debris helping reshape Sangam city ahead of Mahakumbh

Prayagraj Municipal Corporation uses recycled construction waste for Mahakumbh-2025 projects, promoting eco-friendly materials and reducing waste.

The PMC C&D Plant at Baswar in Prayagraj (HT Photo)
Updated on Dec 29, 2024 06:04 PM IST
By, Prayagraj

Kids in over 40k govt schools in U.P. to learn coding, programming

Uttar Pradesh students in classes 6-8 will learn Scratch and Python from 2024-25, but lack computers poses a challenge for practical teaching.

 (Pic for representation only)
Updated on Dec 28, 2024 08:24 AM IST
By, Prayagraj

Mahakumbh: Russian-Ukrainian women seers unite to spread Sanatan Dharma amidst war

“We are united in our mission to spread the Sanatan dharma. Nothing else matters,” said Giri, the Maha Mandaleshwar (high priest) of the Juna Akhara, who is in Prayagraj for the Mahakumbh-2025.

Swami Ananda Leela Giri of Juna Akhara in Prayagraj (HT Photo)
Published on Dec 21, 2024 10:15 PM IST
By, Prayagraj

Hoardings with info-loaded QR codes to help visitors during Mahakumbh

QR codes of dist administration, emergency services, hotels and food outlets provided in govt advertisement hoardings installed in fair area

A hoarding in Mahakumbh-2025 mela area bearing the QR codes (HT Photo)
Updated on Dec 21, 2024 06:22 AM IST
By, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj):

Mahakumbh-2025: Healthy flows the Ganga again as ‘three Gangas’ merged into one

The state irrigation department has merged three distinct streams of the Ganga at the Sangam to create a single stream of the ancient river

The three streams of Ganga near Sangam before the dredging exercise in Prayagraj. (HT Photo)
Published on Dec 18, 2024 09:13 PM IST
By, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)

Free satvik meals for pilgrims at Sangam year-round via community kitchen

To maintain quality, modern cameras will be installed in the kitchen to monitor food preparation in real time.

The Uttar Pradesh cabinet approved the project on Tuesday (Sourced)
Published on Dec 17, 2024 10:58 PM IST
By, Prayagraj

Mahakumbh: Vehicle passes with QR codes to be issued online for the first time

For Mahakumbh-2025, online vehicle passes with barcodes will be issued to enhance security, featuring color codes for access levels to the mela area.

Pilgrims were waiting for transportation to participate in Kumbh Mela (Getty Images)
Updated on Dec 04, 2024 07:46 AM IST
By, Prayagraj

U.P.: Sangam, surrounding areas declared ‘Mahakumbh Mela dist’

District magistrate Ravindra Kumar Mandar issued a notification on Sunday detailing the boundaries of the new district, which includes Sangam, four surrounding tehsils, and 67 designated areas.

Uttar Pradesh will now have 76 districts instead of 75 (Sourced)
Updated on Dec 02, 2024 05:16 AM IST
ByK Sandeep KumarK Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj

PMC plans 200-bed super specialty hospital in Naini

Prayagraj Municipal Corporation plans a 200-bed super specialty hospital in Naini, estimated at ₹78 crore, set to begin construction within six months.

Prayagraj Municipal Corporation office in Prayagraj (File)
Updated on Nov 27, 2024 07:26 AM IST
By, Prayagraj

Study through interesting videos for class 1-8 govt schools students in U.P.

For the first time, short educational videos will be prepared by experts using cartoons, songs and poems etc based on the prescribed syllabus books of these students

Students studying at a government primary school in Prayagraj. (HT file)
Published on Nov 09, 2024 10:25 PM IST
By, Prayagraj

Mahakumbh-2025 app, website attracting traffic from across globe

Most of the hits have come from countries like Brazil, United States, Australia and France, besides Uruguay, officials said.

Mahakumbh-2025 official website homepage (HT Photo)
Updated on Nov 02, 2024 10:26 PM IST
By, Prayagraj

Mahakumbh: Signages in foreign languages to help global tourists

Signages in multiple languages, including Chinese and Arabic, will guide tourists at Mahakumbh-2025, ensuring a smooth experience for all visitors.

A pontoon bridge is being made ahead of the Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj.
Updated on Oct 29, 2024 09:28 PM IST
By, Prayagraj

Limiting pvt colleges as centres: Complete utilisation of govt, aided schools for HS, Inter Exams to be ensured

These details will also be sent to the DIOSs so that there is pressure on them as well to allocate the maximum number of candidates to government-run and government-aided colleges being made exam centres

The UP Board headquarters in Prayagraj (HT FIle Photo)
Published on Oct 24, 2024 04:21 PM IST
By, Prayagraj

Mahakumbh 2025: India’s cultural heritage to be highlighted with AR-enhanced ‘Sanskriti Gram’

The setup of Sanskriti Gram, or ‘Cultural Village,’ will allow pilgrims and tourists to experience authentic digital displays of Indian culture in their true form and context.

Artistes presenting a glimpse of Indian culture during Kumbh-2019 in Prayagraj (File)
Updated on Oct 03, 2024 08:12 AM IST
By, Prayagraj

96 crumbling school buildings in Prayagraj to be demolished in major safety overhaul

Instructions have been given through the missive, a copy of which is with HT, to deposit the auction amount in the accounts of the respective school management committees.

One of the dilapidated buildings of a government primary school earmarked for demolition in Prayagraj (HT)
Updated on Oct 02, 2024 07:12 AM IST
By, Prayagraj
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