Prayagraj: Haridwar Kumbh and Prayagraj Magh Mela in 2027 will be held at the same time. This has put many seers in a dilemma. Seers from Dandi Sanyasi and Ramanuja traditions have decided to stay back in Prayagraj, while many Vaishnav seers plan to visit Haridwar only for the main holy baths instead of staying there for a long time.Haridwar Kumbh will be held from Jan 14 to April 20, with major bathing days (Amrit Snan) on March 6 (Mahashivratri), April 6 (Chaitra Amavasya) and April 14 (Mesh Sankranti). Seers are expected to begin arriving from Jan 15, when the Makar Sankranti bathing festival will be observed.At the same time, Kalpvas at Prayagraj Magh Mela will begin with the Makar Sankranti bath on Jan 15. Other major bathing dates are Jan 22 (Paush Purnima), Feb 6 (Mauni Amavasya), Feb 11 (Vasant Panchami), Feb 23 (Maghi Purnima) and March 6 (Mahashivratri).The overlap is particularly significant for Vaishnav akharas, including Nirmohi Ani, Nirvani Ani and Digambar Ani, besides Dandi seers and those belonging to the Ramanuja tradition, which traditionally set up large camps during the Magh Mela. Preparing camps for a Kumbh requires considerable time for religious rituals, accommodation and bhandaras, making it difficult for many seers to shift between the two venues.Jagadguru Ghanshyamacharya, treasurer of Shri Ramanuja Prabandh Samiti, said, “Due to the shortage of time, seers of the Ramanuja tradition will not go to the Haridwar Kumbh. We will observe Kalpvas and perform religious rituals in Prayagraj according to tradition.”Swami Brahmashram, president of Akhil Bharatiya Dandi Sanyasi Parishad, said, “We cannot observe Kalpvas and attend the Kumbh at the same time. Since the Haridwar Kumbh is being held during the same period, travelling there will not be possible. Dandi sanyasis will therefore not participate in the Haridwar Kumbh.”Likewise, Shrimahant Rajendra Das, president of Nirmohi Ani Akhara and general secretary of Akhara Parishad (Mahanirvani faction), said, “Hundreds of seers associated with the Nirmohi Ani, Nirvani Ani and Digambar Ani akharas who will observe Kalpvas in Prayagraj have expressed their inability to attend the Haridwar Kumbh.”However, Shrimahant Ravindra Puri, president of Maa Mansa Devi Temple Trust and Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, said, “The Haridwar Kumbh is a symbol of the glory of Sanatan Dharma. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is making excellent arrangements. I appeal to all seers and devotees to participate in the Kumbh.”