Devotee turnout missing at Kubereshwar Dham on Maha Shivratri:Impact of no Rudraksha distribution; Pandit Pradeep Mishra explains the reason

Due to the strictness of the administration, people are a little under control. This time rudraksh are not being distributed; if they were, there would be no space for people to even set foot here. This time the crowd is very small. Two years ago, there was so much crowd at the Mahashivratri event that people couldn’t find space to step in this entire area. Saying this, a little disappointment is also visible on Devendra Mewara’s face. He further says, this time, business is slow. Actually, Mewara had set up a small tea and snack shop at Kubereshwar Dham in Sehore on the occasion of Mahashivratri. Like him, hundreds of small shopkeepers had come here with the hope that millions of devotees would gather and they would earn well. This time it didn’t happen. The reason for this is said to be the decision not to distribute Rudraksha on Mahashivratri. However, on this issue, Pandit Pradeep Mishra says that Rudraksha is not distributed at every major event; there is nothing new in this. However, for the past two years, the Rudraksha distribution program was taking place, but this year, after the administration’s strictness, the organisers changed their decision. Read how the scene at Kubereshwar Dham had changed on Mahashivratri. Journey from Highway to Dham
On the day of Mahashivratri, around 7 AM, traffic on the Bhopal-Indore Highway, about 15 kilometers from Sehore district headquarters, was normal. Some policemen were vigilant to maintain order, but there was no traffic jam or heavy pressure like in previous years. A direct road leads from the highway to Kubereshwar Dham, where the police had set up barricades, but vehicle movement was not being stopped. The number of vehicles on the road was also negligible; only a few cars were seen heading towards the Dham. Approximately 500 meters before the main gate of the Dham, vehicle parking signs were placed on both sides of the road. Police personnel were also deployed here, who were directing incoming vehicles towards the parking area. But a large part of the parking lot was empty. Vehicles were parked in less than half the space, which was a clear indication that the expected crowd had not gathered. People were getting out of their vehicles and walking towards the ashram, but there was so much space on the road that there was no feeling of crowd or jostling anywhere. Shopkeepers disappointed, said- “Business is dead”
A clear lack of customers was visible at the temporary shops set up on both sides of the road near the main gate of the ashram. Most shopkeepers were sitting idle or looking at passersby with hopeful eyes. Among them was Anusuiya Bai, who was found sitting sadly at her shop. She says, “It’s been four days since we set up the shop, but we haven’t even made a thousand rupees in sales. Devotees are coming, but no one is buying anything. We got this small space for the shop for 10 thousand rupees, and all our goods are lying untouched. Last time we set up a shop, business was very good because a lot of people came.” This time there are fewer people, so there is absolutely no business. We are just sitting around swatting flies. Now we are stuck, since we have paid the money, we can’t do anything.” Devendra Mewara’s story is no different. He says that even the cost price could not be recovered. Better arrangements for devotees, they said – “It’s Baba’s grace”
However, while there was disappointment on the faces of the shopkeepers, for the devotees, this experience was much more pleasant and organized compared to last year. Inside the temple complex, people were peacefully offering prayers. Devotees were continuously making Shivlings on the ground and in flowerbeds and worshipping them. Large LED screens and sound boxes were installed at various places, broadcasting live chants and the worship of the Shivling. After the Rudrabhishek, the Dham had arranged for ‘falahar’ (fruit-based meal) for the people. In a large dome built next to the main complex, Pandit Pradeep Mishra was narrating the Shiva Purana. Behind this main dome, three more smaller domes were set up so that more people could listen to the discourse. Geeta Shukla, who came from Vadodara, Gujarat, shared her experience, saying, “This is my second visit to Kubereshwar Dham. Compared to last year, the arrangements this year are very good, in fact, I would say they are doubly good. There is no shortage of water here, the washrooms are very clean, and there are all facilities for bathing. Devotees are not facing any problems. Pandit Pradeep Mishra said – Rudraksha will be distributed after the event
Manoj Mama, who provides services at Kubereshwar Dham, said, Millions of devotees have arrived here with faith. A grand pandal of 1.80 lakh square feet has been built for the devotees and additional pandals have also been set up in about 60 thousand square feet. The administration is providing full support and arrangements are running smoothly. Regarding this entire event and Rudraksha distribution, we spoke directly with Dham chief Pandit Pradeep Mishra. Question: Why are Rudrakshas not being distributed at the Rudraksh Mahotsav this time?
Answer: This is not new; this has been the rule for many years. During any major event, the distribution of Rudrakshas remains suspended. This time too, distribution is suspended at the Rudraksh Mahotsav. Some time after the event concludes, in approximately two months, distribution will resume, and devotees will start receiving Rudrakshas. Question: How many devotees have come this time?
Answer: On the first day, approximately 2.5 lakh devotees arrived here, and today (on Mahashivratri), this number is above 4.5 lakh. We are confident that the total figure for all seven days will reach between 20 to 25 lakh. Question: You claimed that ten lakh people would come, did fewer devotees arrive than that?
Answer: No, no, Baba has many devotees; it’s difficult to count them. Question: There have been stampede situations many times in your events. What special arrangements have been made this time?
Answer: The administration and the Dham committee are working together to create good arrangements. This time, we have created a special corridor so that ambulances or other vehicles can easily pass through in an emergency. One road has been kept completely clear. Additionally, adequate arrangements have been made for food, water, and toilets. No situation of disorder occurred anywhere
Sehore SP Deepak Shukla said that the Mahashivratri event was completed smoothly. No situation of disorder occurred anywhere. Regarding traffic, we only diverted large vehicles; there was no need to divert small vehicles. It seems that the use of small vehicles was less this time, which prevented traffic problems. Meanwhile, Sehore SDM Tanmay Verma said- We are still estimating the final crowd, but overall the event was successful. No one experienced any inconvenience. Wherever minor problems arose, they were immediately resolved.