The Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP) has extended its support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for fuel conservation by urging saints across the country to minimize the use of vehicles and adopt simpler, environment-friendly modes of travel. This decision was reached during a high-level meeting of saints held in Nashik, chaired by ABAP President Mahant Ravindra Puri. The meeting also reviewed preparations for the 2027 Kumbh Mela.
Details of the Fuel Conservation Initiative
Mahant Ravindra Puri emphasized that seers associated with the Akhara Parishad have always been at the forefront whenever Sanatan Dharma or the nation faced challenges. He stated, "Whether it is for the cause of protecting religious traditions or spreading social awareness, seers have always played an active role in public life. In the present situation, ABAP is in favor of conserving fuel and promoting responsible consumption as a national duty."
Puri appealed to seers to avoid traveling with long convoys of vehicles and suggested that instead of one or two people traveling in separate four-wheelers, five to six seers should travel together in a single vehicle to reduce fuel consumption. Seers traveling more than 200 kilometers were advised to use buses or trains instead of private cars. The Akhara Parishad also urged younger saints to avoid unnecessary display and excessive use of luxury vehicles, encouraging them to prefer two-wheelers and public transport for shorter journeys.
Adoption of Walking and Public Transport
The council further resolved that saints would adopt walking as a regular practice and avoid using vehicles for short-distance travel between temples and ashrams. Hari Giri, the chief patron of Juna Akhara, said seers would walk five to ten kilometers daily and motivate devotees to save petrol and avoid unnecessary purchase of gold to support the Prime Minister's appeal. He noted that such efforts by religious leaders could create greater public awareness about responsible consumption and national interest.
Preparations for 2027 Kumbh Mela
During the meeting, seers also discussed preparations for the 2027 Kumbh Mela and expressed satisfaction with the arrangements made by the Maharashtra government under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Religious leaders said that collective participation by seers and devotees in fuel conservation efforts could send a strong social message across the country.
