Maha Kumbh: A spiritual and cultural extravaganza unfolds in Prayagraj
Maha Kumbh, the “largest religious, spiritual, and cultural congregation on Earth”, has commenced.
From the chanting of mantras to the resplendent sight of ‘aartis’, rich cultural events and visuals of ‘shahi snans’, the mood is set for a different level of spiritual experience.
‘Paush Purnima’— the first day of the 45-day long interplay of religious, spiritual, mystic, social, cultural and political factors — saw lakhs of devotees for a holy dip at Sangam to wash off their sins and attain ‘moksh’—liberation from the cycle of life and death.
Sangam is the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati at Prayagraj.
Who’s who at Maha Kumbh
The 45-day event is expected to see the who’s who of India and the world gather at Sangam to achieve that ultimate goal.
Crores of devotees from across the country and abroad are expected between January 13 and February 26 for the congregation.
Apart from ascetics, saints, ‘sadhus’, ‘sadhvis’, ‘kalpvasis’ and pilgrims from all walks of life, top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and celebrities from business and showbiz will take the holy dip, say officials.
To celebrate the confluence of art, culture and heritage of India, top artistes and singers like Kailash Kher, Shankar Mahadevan, Kavita Krishnamurthy are scheduled to perform at ‘Kalagram’ there.
For devotees, spiritual camps by gurus will offer a chance to meditate, practice yoga, learn about spirituality and enjoy a deep dive into the teachings of Hindu philosophy.
Laurene Powell Jobs, the wife of late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, is already there. According to reports, the 61-year-old philanthropist will also follow the rules of ‘Kalpavas’ for 10 days.
Celebration of tradition and faith
Shaped by faith, mythology, astrology and social events spanning over centuries, Maha Kumbh is one of the most sacred pilgrimages in Hinduism and India.
Apart from ritual dips, a number of cultural and religious ceremonies are held, including the traditional procession of ‘Akharas’ called ‘Peshwai’ on elephant backs, horses and chariots, along with shining swords and rituals by ‘Naga Sadhus’ during ‘Shahi Snan’.
Akharas are the main part of ‘Kumbh Mela’. They also have exclusive rights to important bathing places and priority on the holiest days of Kumbh.
‘Shahi Snans’ or royal baths have spiritual meaning beyond just purifying sins.
‘Naga Sadhus’, who take the first holy dip at Sangam, are one of the most powerful, sought-after sights at Kumbh. Covered in sacred ash, they depict the very essence of renunciation and spiritual pursuit, adding to the mysticism of the ‘mela’. A dip in the sacred waters on ‘Shahi Snan’ is said to bring peace to the souls of ancestors.
Important bathing dates include Paush Purnima (January 13), Makar Sankranti Shahi Snan (January 14), Mauni Amavasya (January 29), Basant Panchami (February 3), Magh Purnima (February 12) and Mahashivratri (February 26). Bathing at Sangam on these days is believed to help wash away sins of not just the present life but also past lives.
Kumbh — the pitcher
Kumbh means a pitcher, and it is also one of the ‘rashis’ in astrology. Maha Kumbh is a festival of a sacred pitcher anchored in Hindu mythology and also related to Jupiter’s transition in astrology.
It is difficult to attribute a single starting point or origin to the pilgrimage but the most popular story is that of ‘Samudra Manthan’ recorded in ancient Hindu literature, revolving around a sacred pitcher and the spraying of ‘amrit’ or nectar at four locations where ‘Kumbh Mela’ is held in a course of 12 years.
The site keeps rotating between the four pilgrimages on the banks of sacred rivers — Haridwar, Uttarakhand, on Ganga; Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, on Shipra; Nashik, Maharashtra, on Godavari, and Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, at the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical invisible Sarasvati
Each site’s celebration is based on a distinct set of astrological positions of the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter. The festival occurs when Jupiter aligns with the Sun and Moon, amplifying Earth’s electromagnetic fields, and is considered to be the holiest time in Hinduism.
“Kumbh Mela is an event that intrinsically encapsulates the science of astronomy, astrology, spirituality, ritualistic traditions, and socio-cultural customs and practices, making it extremely rich in knowledge,” states the ‘mela’ website. The festival is also a part of UNESCO’s “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” list.
Kumbh — complex interplay of religious, social, political factors
This will be Yogi Adityanath’s first Maha Kumbh. Prayagraj hosted an ‘Ardh Kumbh’ in 2019 during his first regime.
Under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state government is going all out to make the Prayagraj Kumbh “grander than all Kumbhs” the country has seen.
Observers say a successful Maha Kumbh will help Adityanath’s standing and credentials as BJP’s leading Hindutva faces.
According to reports, this is the first time the Kumbh will also see the presence of religious organisations from Northeast and South India.
Apart from its religious, cultural, socio-political aspects and enduring relevance spanning across centuries, the event has an important role in generating revenue and employment opportunities for local communities.
Researchers say the British authorities initially viewed it with suspicion but later recognised its cultural and religious significance. Efforts were made to manage and regulate the event, leading to the establishment of administrative system to oversee the pilgrimage.
“Political power and authority have always been intertwined with religious practices and pilgrimages, whether they help a party or a person is debatable. Such events do increase religiosity and may enlarge support for parties seen as owning religious policy issues. A ‘Kumbh Mela’ may boost Hindu nationalist sentiments and vote share as the events can be polarising in nature,” they add.