Sunderlal Patwa had presided over worst communal riots in MP's history

Former MP chief minister Sunderlal Patwa who passed away in Bhopal, was a veteran politician who had started his political life with Jan Sangh.

Known for his simplicity, Patwa, belonged to the generation of early Jan Sangh leaders who struggled for decades and fought Congress hegemony for long,before they managed to attain power.

After death everything is 'sanitised', it seems. In obituaries writers and journalists have written about Patwa-ji.

But the fact that he presided over the worst communal riots in MP, is nowhere mentioned. It's time for euologies! 

But along with positive aspects, other important facts can't be ignored.

 No one seems to remember that during Sundarlal Patwa regime Bhopal and Ujjain saw the most deadly communal riots in state's history in which hundreds perished..

The year was 1992-93. Centre dismissed Patwa government. Many people in those days hinted at Congress hand. But the fact remains that MP had never seen such devastation and killings in riots.

Till then Bhopal was an island of peace and there was never a riot in this city. The official figure of deaths in Bhopal riot was nearly 150. 

Yes, blame Congress elements' involvement or BJP workers' role but how this fact gets ignored...not even in passing mention amid the glowing tributes for the 'saint politician'. 

Responsibility of Rajiv Gandhi 1984, Sudhakar Rao Naik 1992, Modi 2002...Praise is fine but to whitewash everything? No. You may be powerful and may rule but it doesn't mean that everything will be whitewashed. 

Riot taint remains.

Patwa didn't like 'outsider' Narendra Modi's interference. Patwa resented  Modi's style of functioning when latter was charge of MP affairs. Ensured 'Aghoshit boycott' by the local BJP, says this report. 

Marianne becomes Poornananda, Manithea is now Sadashivananda: Foreigners in Simhastha Kumbh, devotees embrace Hinduism

Foreigners come to Ujjain Kumbh--Simhsatha, in large numbers.

Many come as tourists and are drawn to the practices and the saints.

Some others are already devoted to Gurus and come along with them.

In fact, many foreigners convert to Hinduism and adopt Hindu names too.

They stay in the Ashrams, enjoy the atmosphere and go back with experiences about the Indian culture.

Take for example, Manithia, who hails from Netherlands. She starts her day at 5 am, after prayers, she listens to discourses.

Marianne is from Australia. She comes whenever the Kumbh is held in India. She had gone to Allahabad and Nasik too.

She enjoys the atmosphere. As she doesn't know Hindi, she talks to her Guru in English.

Once back, she will deliver lectures on spirituality and Hinduism in Australia.

First, see photos of some foreigners who have come from different parts of the world.

From Russia, from Europe, from Australia, from East Asia, et al.

On the left are photos of some other foreigners in Simhastha.

Sheena has come from Ukraine, claims that she learnt black magic too from her guru. She doesn't tell her age. Also, knows 'Shiv Tandav'. Feels serving people and humanity is foremost.

Maa VishvaGodavari has come from France. She has been preaching Hinduism and tells people about Hindu culture.

She knows Yoga and has instructed many people in Romania.  Amrita loves the bhajan, 'Tu pyar ka sagar hai'.

An Odissi danseuse, her real name is Ellena Morozova but she gets into trance when she hears, 'Om Namo Narayana'. On the left above is a foreign devotee with Pilot Baba.

See photos below:

1. Foreigners taking a dip in holy river, Kshipra, in Ujjain
2. Foreigners who are part of the 'peshwai' ceremony in Ujjain Simhastha

Grand conclave Simhastha 2016 begins at Ujjain: Why Ujjain Kumbh is known as Simhastha?

Simhastha--the Kumbh at Ujjain, is all set to start on April 22.

The Simhastha celebrations will continue for a month, ending on May 21.

The grand conclave, which is considered one of the biggest gatherings on earth, takes place in Ujjain every 12 years.

The Simhastha begins with the first 'Shahi Snan'. However, do you know why the Kumbh at Ujjain is known as Simhastha?

It is because of Zodiac--the planetary configurations.

Why is Ujjain Kumbh called Simhastha?

Simhastha is celebrated when Jupiter enters the sun sign Leo's quarter or the Simha constellation of zodiac.

Hence, the Ujjain Kumbh is known as Simhastha.

Ujjain is the seat of Mahakal, the god who drinks liquor. Legend goes that nectar fell during the 'Samudra Manthan' or the churning of the ocean.

In this churning, Gods and Demons were on different sides.

The story goes like that the nectar (Amrit) from the urn (Kumbh) fell at four places on earth.

These places were Hardwar, Prayag [Allahabad], Nasik and Ujjain. Periodically, the Kumbah is celebrated at these places, one after the other.

Millions of devotees including Sadhus and pilgrims from all over the country, and even outside, have reached the town.