The world's largest congregation, the Mahakumbh, commenced on Monday. Despite thick fog, intense cold, and freezing water, 15 million people took a dip in the holy waters on the first day seeking salvation. It is believed that bathing in the Triveni washes away all sins. Here at Prayagraj, where the Ganges, Yamuna, and the unseen Saraswati converge, one can witness a blend of spirituality, astrology, culture, religion, tradition, and modern technology.
This fair, occurring after 12 years, is expected to draw over 400 million visitors over 45 days, including numerous foreigners. Furthermore, saints assert that this Mahakumbh is being celebrated during a rare planetary configuration that occurs once in 144 years, enhancing its spiritual significance. Consequently, Prayagraj has become a beacon for masses around the world.
Source: aajtak
Amidst chants of 'Jai Ganga Maiya', Devotees Take the Holy Dip
Sages smeared with ash from the Himalayas, spiritual seekers from home and abroad, eager to witness the world’s grandest religious congregation... the Mahakumbh draws everyone towards it. Thirteen akhadas of saints have joined the event. At dawn on Paush Purnima, the fair was officially inaugurated with the sounds of conch shells and devotional songs. The sprawling procession thrived with vibrant energy as devotees moved towards the waters, echoing chants of 'Jai Ganga Maiya', 'Har Har Mahadev', and 'Jai Shri Ram'.
Michael from America Becomes 'Baba Mokshapuri'
Former US military personnel turned ascetic, Michael, has joined the Juna Akhada and now goes by the name 'Baba Mokshapuri'. Sharing his journey of transformation, he stated, 'I was an ordinary person with a family and career. I realized nothing in life is permanent, so I began my quest for liberation. This is my first Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, and the spiritual energy here is simply extraordinary.'
A devotee from Brazil remarked, 'I practice yoga in Brazil. I'm here seeking 'moksha'. This is an exceptional event... happening once in 144 years. Sanatan Dharma is my life’s mission and it has transformed my life, altering how I view the world and my family. Jai Shri Ram.'
Julie from Spain was also among the crowd at the fair. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to bathe in the sacred river at this holy place, feeling overwhelmed with bliss. In his message regarding the Mahakumbh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X that the Mahakumbh brings countless people together in a sacred confluence of faith, devotion, and culture. He mentioned, 'The Mahakumbh is a symbol of India's timeless spiritual heritage and a celebration of faith and harmony.'
Source: aajtak
250 'Lost' People Reunited by the Administration
A group of women from Siddharth Nagar in Uttar Pradesh was engrossed in singing bhajans and folk songs while a team of YouTubers from South Korea captured various moments of the Mahakumbh. A team from Japan was also present. Groups from various Indian states were seen at different ghats in Prayagraj. Kailash Narayan Shukla from Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, praised the arrangements for pilgrims, saying, 'Great arrangements were made for pilgrims, and we faced no difficulty during our holy bath.'
In the massive crowds, several people got separated from their families. This news reminded many of classic Hindi films where siblings are lost in the chaos of the Kumbh fair. However, times have changed. The Uttar Pradesh government implemented several crowd-control measures, including 'Bhula-Bhatka' camps, police aid stations, and strategically placed watch towers. Officials reported that within hours more than 250 people who were 'lost' were 'found' thanks to the administration’s efforts.
Mahakumbh City: The World's Largest Temporary City
Pilgrim Ajay Goyal from Delhi got separated from his family for about an hour. He shared his experience, 'Just before getting separated, we joked that this often happens in old Bollywood movies during the Kumbh fair. Luckily, we reunited at the same fair.' Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath shared data on X, stating, 'On the first bathing festival, today, 15 million devotees of eternal faith attained the virtue of bathing in the undisturbed-pure Triveni.'
CM Yogi mentioned, 'Mahakumbh City is the largest temporary city in the world, where at any time, 5 to 10 million devotees can be accommodated. According to the chief secretary of Uttar Pradesh, Manoj Kumar Singh, 'More than 55 police stations have been constructed for the fair, and 45,000 policemen are being deployed. Thirty pontoon bridges have been prepared in the Sangam area and Phaphamau to facilitate movement across the Sangam. District Magistrate of Prayagraj, Ravindra Kumar Mandar, informed that zonal bathing ghats have been established. The first royal bath will take place on Makar Sankranti on Tuesday, when the number of people taking a dip is expected to increase. The last bath is scheduled for February 26 on Mahashivratri.
Source: aajtak
Historical Significance of the Mahakumbh Fair
According to beliefs, the Mahakumbh fair relates to the churning of the ocean. As the story goes, owing to a curse by Sage Durvasa, Indra and the other gods became weakened. Seizing this opportunity, demons attacked the gods, which resulted in their defeat. The gods then approached Lord Vishnu for help and narrated the entire situation. Lord Vishnu advised them to churn the ocean with the help of the demons to extract the nectar of immortality.
When the pot of nectar emerged from the ocean churning, Lord Indra's son Jayant fled into the sky with it. Seeing this, demons chased after Jayant to claim the pot of nectar, and after a long effort, took possession of it. This led to a 12-day battle between the gods and demons for control over the nectar pot. During the ocean churning, a few drops of nectar fell at Haridwar, Ujjain, Prayagraj, and Nasik, which is why the Mahakumbh fair is organized at these four locations.
