Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat has once again sparked controversy when he said Maha Kumbh Mela is also organised in Banaras. Speaking on the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela in Haridwar, state Chief Minister Rawat said, "(Mahakumbh) comes once in 12 years and is not held every year. 'Mele' take places at different places & can happen anywhere but Kumbh is held only in Haridwar in 12 years.. held in Banaras (Varanasi), held in Ujjain.”