Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, chaired a high-level preparatory meeting at Lok Niwas to review and finalise arrangements for the first Sindhu Mahakumbh 2026, scheduled to be held on June 23–24 at Sindhu Ghat.

The Lieutenant Governor said the upcoming Sindhu Mahakumbh in Leh is not merely an event but a symbol of Ladakh’s capability, discipline, and cultural pride. He noted that the landmark gathering is expected to bring together thousands of devotees, dignitaries, and cultural troupes, reinforcing Ladakh’s status as a unique destination for spiritual, cultural, and tourism experiences.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra; Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Sanjit Rodrigues; Wildlife Warden Mandeep Mittal; Director Tourism Tsering Paldan; ADC Leh Ghulam Mohd; SE PWD Dorjay Gyatso; Assistant Director Tourism Leh Padma Angmo; and members of the Sindhu Darshan Yatra Samiti, including General Secretary Bhupinder Kansil, Vice President Manoj Kumar Gogia, and MLA Vikram Randhawa from Jammu.

Bhupinder Kansil informed the meeting that the Sindhu Darshan Festival has been organised by the Samiti since 1987. This year marks its 30th edition, which will be celebrated as the grand first Sindhu Mahakumbh. The event is expected to attract pilgrims from over 25 States and Union Territories across India, along with foreign ambassadors and dignitaries. The Samiti sought full support from the UT Administration for logistical coordination, arrangements for the North Zone Cultural Centre troupe from Patiala, and other essential services to ensure smooth conduct of the event.

Emphasising the timeless principle of “Atithi Devo Bhava,” the Lieutenant Governor urged the Administration to ensure that every pilgrim is welcomed with care, respect, and hospitality. He called for meticulous planning and inter-departmental coordination to provide a safe, comfortable, and memorable experience for all visitors.

Assuring full support from the UT Administration, he directed all departments to prepare detailed, time-bound action plans covering logistics, security, medical services, and visitor management, with regular progress reviews.

The Lieutenant Governor stressed effective crowd management, traffic regulation, parking arrangements, and smooth movement of pilgrims. He directed that robust security arrangements be ensured through close coordination among police, civil administration, and allied agencies, supported by a fully operational emergency response system.

He instructed the Health Department to deploy adequate medical camps, ambulances, doctors, and disaster management resources. He further emphasised maintaining the highest standards of sanitation, potable water supply, toilet facilities, lighting, and waste management, and called for environmentally sustainable and responsible organisation of the event.

The Lieutenant Governor also directed coordination between the Sindhu Welfare Committee and the Administration for cultural programmes, volunteer deployment, and devotee reception. A Joint Control Room will be established to facilitate real-time coordination among departments, with strict accountability mechanisms in place to address any lapses.

“Our collective efforts should ensure that the Sindhu Mahakumbh is not only a grand spiritual gathering but also a showcase of Ladakh’s organisational capability, cultural pride, and commitment to excellence,” he said, adding that it must emerge as a safe, memorable, and exemplary national-level event.

Reaffirming the Administration’s commitment, he said the first Sindhu Mahakumbh 2026 will be organised as a spiritually enriching, secure, and meticulously managed event reflecting Ladakh’s cultural heritage, tourism potential, and administrative excellence.

Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra announced the constitution of a committee under the Deputy Commissioner Leh to ensure the successful conduct of the first Sindhu Mahakumbh 2026.