The spectacular Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, marks its 40th day today, with five more days to go. Over 5.8 billion devotees have thronged to participate in the sacred ablution at the Sangam. As we approach the final weekend before the major Mahashivratri bath on February 26, the crowd is expected to swell even more. Speculation is rife that over two and a quarter crore visitors might gather over the weekend. In preparation for this massive congregation, two senior officials from Lucknow have already reached Prayagraj.
Source: aajtak
Anticipating a surge in visitors before the final ritual bath on February 26, the Uttar Pradesh government has rescheduled the board exam dates. Due to expected traffic snarls, the Secondary Education Department has mandated that the 10th-12th UP Board exams on February 24 will not be held in Prayagraj. This applies exclusively to Prayagraj, with the exams now set for March 9.
Will the Final Day Also Break Records?
Will the last weekend before the conclusion of Maha Kumbh break existing attendance records? As we revisit previous major bathing events: January 13's Paush Purnima drew 1.7 crore people; Makar Sankranti the next day saw 3.5 crore visitors; the celestial Mauni Amavasya on January 29 attracted 7.64 crore pilgrims; Basant Panchami on February 3 witnessed 2.57 crore devotees taking the holy plunge; and on Maghi Purnima, February 12, approximately 2 crore people took part. Now, the highly anticipated Mahashivratri bath remains, as we near the end of Maha Kumbh with its concluding weekend.
Source: aajtak
The final two days of last week, February 15-16, witnessed the arrival of 2.85 crore visitors. This time, the numbers might soar higher as, by Thursday, February 20, 1.15 crore devotees had visited the sacred site throughout the day. By Friday evening, this had increased to over 1.16 crore, indicating that the weekend, with its holiday, will likely draw even more attendees to the Kumbh.
Read More: Maha Kumbh Bathing Video Racket: Secret Clips Sold Online, 3 Arrested by Police
Politics Over Kumbh
Several opposition members have questioned the reported attendance figures of the Kumbh. Initially, Akhilesh Yadav suggested that trains were empty, but later he admitted that the crowd was overwhelming management capacity. While politics might play a role, one wonders: who are these attendees at this late stage?
Clearly, they are devout pilgrims who were previously unable to attend due to socio-economic reasons. Many feel a strong desire to experience the Kumbh firsthand, fearing they might miss out on a significant life experience without it. This desire to participate in a faith-filled journey overrides any physical, economic, or familial barriers they might face.
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Provision of Ganga Water for Inmates
Participants attending Maha Kumbh not only bathe in the sacred waters themselves but often take Sangam water home for religious purposes or to share with others. Many sprinkle this holy water on themselves at their houses of worship. It raises the question: does the administration believe that the sins of inmates serving their sentences can be cleansed by Ganga water or that bathing in Sangam water will bring them spiritual merit? Officials across Uttar Pradesh have arranged for Sangam water from the Maha Kumbh to be distributed to prisons, either via tankers or jars, giving inmates the chance to partake in the ritual bath. Prison officials have been instructed by the Jail Minister to facilitate this ritual for both inmates and staff alike, claimed as a step towards their spiritual rehabilitation.
The Maha Kumbh bath was notably organized for inmates of the Ayodhya Mandal Jail, bringing water from Prayagraj in response to a directive from the prison minister to replicate this across all state prisons. According to Jail Superintendent Uday Pratap Mishra, this ceremony not only offers inmates a spiritual experience but also serves as a vital step towards their rehabilitation and reform. It could provide them with a new direction in life, prompting positive change.
Concerns About Pollution in the Ganga
While over 5.8 billion people have immersed themselves in the holy waters of the Sangam during Maha Kumbh, the central NGT report has raised concerns about water cleanliness. In response, the UP Pollution Control Board submitted its own report on February 18, countering the central findings.
The ongoing dispute between these agencies will be addressed by the National Green Tribunal on February 28, by which time the Kumbh will have concluded. It is vital for the truth to emerge as the purity of the water is intrinsically linked to the faith of over 5.8 billion pilgrims who have participated in the Maha Kumbh, and those eager visitors who still aspire to partake in this spiritual baptizing ritual amid political narratives.
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Putting an End to Rumors
In the forty days of the Maha Kumbh, the government and logistical setup had to combat numerous rumors to maintain order and safety. Misleading video content suggesting incidents at the Kumbh, such as a bus falling into a canal, originating from Pakistan but falsely linked to Prayagraj, were spread as a part of a deceitful campaign. FIRs have been filed against 36 social media accounts for these acts.
The Maha Kumbh police swiftly fact-checked these claims, referencing reports by Aaj Tak, which has consistently debunked such rumors and provided factual reporting. On February 2, Aaj Tak exposed the truth behind the false video, underpinning the necessity to guard against conspiracies targeting the Kumbh and maintaining public vigilance.
