Leh: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Kavinder Gupta on Tuesday chaired a high-level preparatory meeting at Raj Niwas to review and finalise arrangements for the first Sindhu Mahakumbh 2026, scheduled to be held on June 23–24 at the revered Sindhu Ghat in Leh.
Addressing officers, the Lt Governor said the upcoming event was not merely a religious gathering but a reflection of Ladakh’s discipline, organisational capability and cultural pride. He said the Mahakumbh would bring together thousands of devotees, dignitaries and cultural troupes, showcasing the region’s heritage while strengthening its profile as a spiritual and tourism destination.
Emphasising the principle of “Atithi Devo Bhava,” Gupta directed the administration to ensure proper hospitality and facilities for every pilgrim and visitor. He called for coordinated efforts among departments and asked officials to prepare detailed, time-bound action plans covering logistics, security, medical services and overall visitor management.
He instructed authorities to ensure effective crowd management, traffic regulation and adequate parking arrangements. The Lt Governor also directed that robust security arrangements be put in place with close coordination between police and civil administration, supported by a fully operational emergency response system.
Gupta further asked the Health Department to deploy sufficient medical camps, ambulances and doctors, and emphasised high standards of sanitation, potable water supply, lighting, toilets and waste management. He stressed that the event should be organised in an environmentally sustainable manner.
A joint control room will be set up for real-time coordination among departments, while the Sindhu Welfare Committee and administration will jointly organise cultural programmes and volunteer deployment to facilitate devotees, he said.
Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra informed the meeting that a committee under the Deputy Commissioner Leh has been constituted for the successful conduct of the event.
Officials present included Secretary, Housing and Urban Development, Sanjit Rodrigues, Wildlife Warden Mandeep Mittal, Director Tourism, Tsering Paldan, ADC Leh Ghulam Mohammad, SE PWD Dorjay Gyatso, Assistant Director Tourism Padma Angmo and members of the Sindhu Darshan Yatra Samiti.
The Sindhu Darshan Festival, organised by the Samiti since 1987, will mark its 30th edition this year and is being celebrated as the first Sindhu Mahakumbh. The event is expected to attract pilgrims from over 25 states and union territories, besides foreign dignitaries.
