The Maha Kumbh Mela which takes place four times over the course of twelve years in India is the largest human gathering on the face of this planet. People from all over the world join this pilgrimage as faith binds them all together in search of the holy and the cleansing of their sins. This pilgrimage is the world’s largest pilgrimage and people have flooded the banks of the Ganges as they take a divine dip in its waters as they move one step closer to attaining moksha. A journey so large and epic that an entire city is erected from scratch for it called the Kumbh Nagari in Allahabad.
Origins:
The Kumbh Mela, as one-of-its-kind as it sounds, has a fascinating backstory to it as well. Legend talks about the fascinating story of the Samudra Manthan which was the churning of the cosmic ocean from which all sorts of mysterious beings and things were churned out at a time. This pilgrimage is a justice to that mythological tale that would otherwise be lost in time. The main reason for the Kumbh Mela to take place in Allahabad (the largest one) is because according to the legend, the pot of Amrit which was churned out of the Manthan was taken through four primary locations and Allahabad hosts the sangam of three main rivers – one being the Ganges, the other being the Yamuna and the third being the invisible river, Saraswati. That is why the prime holy status.
Evolution through time:
The Kumbh Mela has also stood the test of time throughout our country’s history as it gained importance under King Harshavardhan’s reign over India (590A.D to 647 A.D) and then further promoted by Adi Shankaracharya. It also was respected in the Mughal Era. During the British Era though, a pilgrim tax was introduced but the pilgrims and their spirits seemed to be unhindered. Since then the tradition which is centuries old is still being followed.
Religious Beliefs:
The religious belief that surrounds an event such as the Kumbh Mela has to be phenomenal. This is the largest pilgrimage and people absolutely throng the Kumbh Nagari. This year from 5th January to the 4th of March over 120 million people are expected to be visiting the Kumbh Mela and hence it will be the largest gathering ever. For such a mammoth number of people to believe in the washing of the sins is in reality a divine achievement and cannot be shrugged off as mere ignorance of science and facts. There are a few things that make a pilgrimage what it is and they are true for any pilgrimage and not just the Kumbh. The fact that millions of people believe and choose to put their faith in something that has always been doubted and questioned through time is an astounding one. A belief and tradition so pure, which has its roots set in a system which could never be properly challenged surprises the intellect and makes us all think.
But it is not just faith and myth that supports the legend of the Kumbh. The entire process is also bound by astrological reason. This reason being whenever the planet Jupiter enters the astrological sign of Taurus, when the Sun and the Moon are in Capricorn simultaneously, a powerful supercharge of positive charge is created over Prayag. The whole area is energized — the water, the air and the entire atmosphere becomes charged with that force. Taking a bath in the Ganga, which is imbued with that power, promotes spiritual growth, health, emotional strength and puts you on the path to moksha.
Travel Aspect:
So, are you feeling as if you want to end all your personal evils, get rid of the demons that pester you and take a quick dip in the Ganges to have a clear chit to get out of the diabolical cycle of samsara?
Going to the Kumbh Mela is no child’s play and one must get that through one’s head before stepping out to go to Kumbh. If you are claustrophobic, I suggest you opt out of the trip immediately because with 120 million people about, it is bound to get a little stuffy. There are ash covered men who don’t necessarily believe in clothing so if you are a germaphobe this journey isn’t for the likes of you.
Don’t let this break your heart though because the Kumbh Mela is not just held at Allahabad but in other places too, across India and they are – Ujjain, Trimbakeshwar (Nashik) and Haridwar.
So now let me paint a picture of how the Mela actually is and what and how you might feel being there. The Mela has tents set up in the typical Mela style by the authorities. They are not necessarily the most comfortable of accommodations but they’d do for the journey that one is undertaking. There are akharas which host sermons and ‘lectures’ by all the sadhus that embark this journey with the civilian folk. The toilets are nothing but portable latrines that run along the sides of the dusty roads and the electricity supply is adequate. Artisans from all over the country come here to sell their crafts line the streets and there you have the bazaars.
I would say that overall the Kumbh Mela is a colorful and magnificent affair, accompanied by the belief and vibes of millions of pilgrims that swarm the waters of the Ganges, the Godavari and the Sangam. This makes us think and also want to experience this unique and extraordinary gathering and witness the power of religion.
