Notice Issued to Swami Avimukteshwaranand by Prayagraj Magh Mela Administration; Questions Raised Over Shankaracharya Title

The Prayagraj Magh Mela administration has issued a notice to Jyotishpeeth Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, raising questions about his use of the Shankaracharya title. The controversy arose when Swami Avimukteshwaranand was reportedly prevented from proceeding to the Sangam for the Mauni Amavasya bath in a palanquin. The Swami accused the administration of disrespect, while the authorities questioned the legitimacy of his claim to the Shankaracharya position.

Details of the Notice
The notice, issued by the Vice President of the Magh Mela Authority, references an ongoing Supreme Court case—Case No. 3010/2020, Jagat Guru Shankaracharya Jyotishpeeth PSSN Saraswati vs. SHN Saraswati’s Disciple Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati. Additionally, Civil Appeal No. 3011/2020, IA No. 153943/2022, seeks to prevent any organization, including Badrinath Jyotishpeeth, from conducting the coronation ceremony of Swami Avimukteshwaranand or any other individual as Shankaracharya until the case is resolved. A court order on October 17, 2022, had imposed a temporary stay on such ceremonies. The case is still pending in the Supreme Court.

The notice points out that despite the court’s orders, Swami Avimukteshwaranand reportedly displayed boards at his camp at Magh Mela 2025-26, presenting himself as the Shankaracharya of Jyotishpeeth. The administration has asked him to clarify within 24 hours why he continues to use the title and present himself as Shankaracharya in violation of the Supreme Court order.

Statement from Mela Officials
Mela officer Rishiraj clarified that the Supreme Court, on October 14, 2022, had prohibited granting Swami Avimukteshwaranand the protocol of a Shankaracharya. Following this order, the administration allocated land to him under the name “Badrika Ashram Seva Camp” rather than as Jyotishpeeth Shankaracharya. During a press conference, officials stated that he was addressed by his name without the Shankaracharya title.

Swami Avimukteshwaranand Responds
Swami Avimukteshwaranand asserted that the administration does not determine who becomes Shankaracharya. Recognition comes from the heads of the other three Shankaracharya Peeths. According to him, two of the three Peeths recognize him as Shankaracharya, and one had given tacit approval. He emphasized that he was not on a protest or hunger strike and remained seated at the spot where the administration had left him after preventing him from taking the bath in a palanquin.

The Swami demanded an apology from the administration for what he described as misconduct and requested that he be allowed to take the Sangam bath with due respect. He also called for a designated corridor for Shankaracharyas and Vaishnav Akharas during the bath and requested CCTV footage of officials allegedly breaking barricades.

Administration’s Clarification
Officials at the ICCC auditorium stated that Swami Avimukteshwaranand was not prevented from taking the Sangam bath. They clarified that he was asked to disembark from the vehicle and proceed on foot. Despite repeated requests over three hours, he insisted on taking the palanquin route, disrupting arrangements for the important Mauni Amavasya bathing ritual.

Divisional Commissioner Soumya Agrawal noted that Swami Avimukteshwaranand had requested permission for two vehicles a day before the bath, which was denied due to large crowds and security concerns. Nevertheless, he reached near the Sangam in a palanquin with a large number of supporters. Police Commissioner Jogendra Kumar stated that Pipa Bridge No. 2 had been closed in advance, and barricades had to be opened for him, not by his disciples.