Haridwar, Dec. 16 -- Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday assured people that the Ardh Kumbh Mela scheduled to be held in Haridwar in 2027 would be organised on a grand scale, as he met representatives of various akhadas and sought their cooperation for the mega religious event. During his one-day visit to Haridwar, the chief minister paid obeisance at the revered Shri Daksheshwar Mahadev temple in Kankhal, where he performed rituals and offered prayers for the successful and smooth conduct of the upcoming Kumbh fair. Dhami offered holy Ganga water and milk to Lord Shiva and also participated in a yagna at the temple premises. Later, speaking to reporters, Dhami said he had prayed to Lord Shiva for the successful organisation of the Ardh Kumbh Mela in 2027 and for the well-being of the state. "The Uttarakhand government is fully committed to conserving and promoting the religious and cultural heritage of the hill state. Extensive development works are being undertaken to ensure that pilgrims and tourists receive the best possible facilities. The Kumbh fair in 2027 will be organised on a grand scale, and the akhadas have expressed their full support in this regard," the chief minister said. Following the temple visit, Dhami met seers from the Bairagi and Udasin akhadas, who assured him of their complete cooperation in organising the Kumbh Fair. Representatives and seers from Shri Panchayati Maha Nirvani Akhada, Digambar Akhada, Nirvani Akhada, Nirmal Akhada, Bada Udasin Akhada, Naya Akhada and Atal Akhada, along with other religious leaders, were present during the interaction. Secretary of Shri Panchayati Maha Nirvani Akhada, Mahant Ravindra Puri, praised the state government's initiatives for the protection of Sanatan Dharma. "We appreciate the steps being taken by chief minister Dhami to conserve and promote Sanatan Dharma, its culture and traditions. The saint community will fully cooperate with the state government in hosting a grand Kumbh fair in 2027," he said. Officials said the state government has already begun preliminary preparations for the mega religious congregation, which is expected to attract millions of devotees from across the country and abroad....