Nashik (Maharashtra), Apr 09 (ANI): Nashik’s Ramkund, the sacred bathing ghat on the Godavari river and the epicenter of Kumbh Mela, has dried up after a period of 139 years. Thousands of pilgrims were disappointed after learning the woeful condition of the sacred ghat. Devotees had to altogether skip taking a holy dip in the ghat on the eve of Gudi Padwa on Friday. According to sources, the Purohit Sangh had appealed to the Nashik municipal commissioner to replenish Ramkund for the minimum rituals, which had to be performed on Gudi Padwa. Boating activities at the Gandhi pond have been halted and the water has been asked to transfer to Ramkund instead. Another alternative that has been suggested is the use of water from the seven wells concealed in concrete near the Ekmukhi Datta Mandir. Ramkund is believed to be sacred for immersing mortal remains. The remains are now immersed in artificial ponds that were created few years ago back. Ramkund was emptied of the little water it had during a cleaning operation few time back. Concretisation seemed to be the reason behind the drying up of the epicenter of Kumbh Mela.
