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by Sharad Rai
The Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, which is about to become the largest religious festival in the world, is all set to take place from January 13 to February 26. This year, millions of devotees will take a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. Among those expected to attend are many Bollywood stars.
Kumbh Mela: World's Largest Gathering with 400 Million Attendees
The Kumbh Mela is not just a spiritual event; it’s the world’s biggest gathering, with an estimated 400 million people from all over the world expected to visit. To put it in perspective, this number is over six times larger than the population of the United States. It’s a cultural, religious, and spiritual festival that will see a population larger than entire nations coming together on the banks of the Sangam.
On the big screen, many films have shown the dramatic separation of two brothers or friends at the Kumbh Mela, only for them to reunite in the climax. Classic films like Takdir (1943), Adhikar (1954), Mela (1971), Do Anjaane (1976), Andaaz Apna Apna (1996), and Soldier (1998) have centered around such storylines. Manmohan Desai’s films, especially, often revolved around brothers being separated at the Mela. For filmmakers, the Kumbh Mela has been a symbol of separation, but in reality, it’s a place of union, where the rivers meet — a true metaphor for bringing people together.
The spiritual significance of the Kumbh Mela, where the sacred rivers Ganga and Yamuna converge, symbolizes unity rather than separation, a concept that Raj Kapoor, the legendary filmmaker, captured brilliantly in his works.
The Kumbh Mela holds significant religious, cultural, and geographical importance. Scholars and curious pilgrims from around the world arrive here well in advance, setting up camps. According to astrological calculations, the planet Jupiter completes its orbit around the sun once every 12 years, affecting water, climate, and all life on Earth. Jupiter is considered the planet of wisdom in spirituality. The positions of the Sun, Moon, Jupiter, and Saturn determine the days, months, and years. It is believed that during the month of Magh, when the Sun enters Capricorn, gods, demons, kinnars, and humans all bathe together at the confluence of the Triveni, experiencing purity.
Geographically, Prayagraj, located on the Tropic of Cancer, has an extremely sacred and auspicious atmosphere. The largest Kumbh is held here because the two mighty rivers, Ganga and Yamuna, converge at this point after traveling from different paths originating from the Himalayas. It is also believed that the Saraswati river flows underground at this confluence, a belief that is supported by scriptures as well. This confluence, called Triveni or Kumbh, is where people gather to bathe. As Tulsidas wrote:
"Magh makar gati ravi jab hoi,
Teerath pathi hiyan aav sab koi,
Dev danuj kinnar nar shreni,
Sadra majjhihin sakal Triveni."
The Maha Kumbh is held in Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad) every 12 years and is considered the largest Kumbh. The Ardh Kumbh takes place every six years, and Kumbh is organized every four years in locations like Ujjain, Nashik, Haridwar, and Prayagraj. This year’s Maha Kumbh will last for 45 days, from Makar Sankranti to Maha Shivaratri. Millions of saints, sannyasis, aghoris, naga sannyasis, ascetics, and kinnar devotees from different groups, akhadas, and congregations are expected to participate. It has already been reported that followers of the Niranjani Akhada, Anand Akhada, and 33 Maha Mandaleshwaras are arriving. Many Bollywood and South Indian film stars have already booked their flights and hotels to attend the event.
The Yogi government of Uttar Pradesh is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring arrangements for an estimated 40 crore people at the Kumbh Mela. Preparations are ongoing at a war-footing pace. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself has visited Prayagraj to review the preparations, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is visiting every week to inspect the progress. Special trains are being run from across the country, and flight connectivity has been enhanced. According to reports, 1.5 lakh tents have been set up along the 112 km long permanent ghats, along with 1.5 lakh permanent toilets. Numerous hospitals have been established, and 69,000 LED lights, 25,000 dustbins, 15,000 sanitation workers, and the widening of 200 roads over 2,69,000 acres of land have been arranged to avoid any inconvenience for the attendees. The government is also deploying Artificial Intelligence for security measures. In conclusion, this grand event is a time for unity, a time for the confluence of faith, and a time for the nation to proudly wave its flag of collective spirit.