M A I N   N E W S

To Kumbh Nagar for salvation

KUMBH NAGAR, Jan 12 (PTI) — For common pilgrims or ‘’kalpwasis’’, the arduous journey to temporarily settling down in the sprawling Maha Kumbh Mela area here is a penance in itself.

Braving the chilly weather conditions, these “kalpwasis”, about 10 lakh in number, have trekked hundreds of miles and settled down for a month under the open skies to seek salvation by taking a dip in the holy waters of the Sangam and praying for penance.

According to the mela authorities, while the “floating” pilgrims, about 5 lakh in number, come here to take a holy dip on auspicious occasions and leave, these “kalpwasis” would be staying here for a longer period, perhaps till the end of the first Mahakumbh of the new millennium.

“The floating pilgrims take a holy dip on the days of the ‘’shahi snan’’ and leave,’’ mela officer Jivesh Nandan told PTI.

The details were calculated on the basis of the number of buses, trucks and trolleys used, besides the occupation of camps, he said.

Though the pilgrims look weary and tired from their constant fight against inclement weather, their enthusiasm has not dampened.

A good percentage of them are old and carry on their head the baggage needed for the month-long stay — clothes, flour, stoves, pots and plates.

The early birds are lucky to get small tents to stay. Those who reach late, camp in the open air, while some choose to stay on the river banks, as part of their ‘’vrath’’ or penance. 

During the night, when the temperature varies from 1°C to 3°C, the devotees sleep in the open, lying on coarse, dry grass and covering themselves with plastic sacks and woollens.

In the morning, they take “snan” in the chilling river while some take a holy dip in the night too, according to mela officials.

Pilgrims have different reasons for attending the Mahakumbh Mela. Some say they come to perform the last rites of their relatives, while some attend it to thank the Almighty for listening to their prayers.