In a historic first at the Maha Kumbh, three Shankaracharyas from major Hindu sects shared the stage and issued a joint religious directive for the protection of ‘Sanatan Dharma’. Saint Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwarananda Saraswati Maharaj during Mahakumbh 2025, in Prayagraj.(ANI) Central to the Dharmadesh (religious directive) is the proposal to ban cow slaughter and declare the cow as the “Mother of the Nation.” The ‘Dharmadesh’ emphasised the unity and integrity of the nation, social harmony, and the preservation of the Sanatan culture, according to a statement issued by the Uttar Pradesh government. The Shankaracharyas also urged all followers of Sanatan Dharma to visit Prayagraj during the Maha Kumbh, and extended blessings to the Yogi Adityanath-led government and administration for organising the grand event, it stated. At the Maha Kumbh, Shankaracharyas from three prominent ‘Peeths’ (seats of spiritual learning) of India came together for the first time and released a collective ‘Dharmadesh’ at the ‘Param Dharam Sansad’ (Supreme Religious Council). The event was graced by Vidhu Shekhar Bharati Ji of Sringeri Sharada Peeth, Sadanand Saraswati …