Ahead Of Maha Kumbh Mela, Here’s How World’s Largest Peaceful Gathering Evolved Over The Years

Praygraj: The Maha Kumbh Mela, which is usually held once in 12 years, has been proclaimed as the ‘Maha Yagya of Unity’ by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Maha Kumbh Mela is held after 12 Kumbh Melas. It will be held in Prayagraj (Allahabad) from January 13 to February 26. Inscribed in 2017 UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Kumbh Mela (the festival of the sacred Pitcher) is the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims on earth, during which participants bathe or take a dip in the sacred river, Ganges.

“Devotees believe that by bathing in the Ganges one is freed from sins liberating her/him from the cycle of birth and death. Millions of people reach the place without any invitation. The congregation includes ascetics, saints, sadhus, aspirants-kalpavasis and visitors,” describes UNESCO.

This year, the Maha Kumbh is expected to see 40 to 45 crore devotees. The gathering has historical roots that date back to thousands of years and is a testimony of ancient Hindu mythology, astronomy and India’s rich religious heritage.

Mythology and the Kumbh Mela

According to reports, it is believed that eighth-century Hindu philosopher Adi Shankaracharya promoted regular gatherings of spiritual leaders and ascetics, and instituted the monastery system and the 13 akharas (warrior-saint sects). The Kumbh Mela is celebrated four times in 12 years It is held in four places in rotation— at Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. The Ardh Kumbh is celebrated in six years in Haridwar and Prayagraj.

The history of Maha Kumbh is associated to the Hindu myth of the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean). According to mythological takes, when the Hindu God Vishnu, in the guise of Mohini, carried the pot of Amrit (nectar) during the Samudra Manthan, a fight between the Dev (Gods) and Danavas (demons) broke out. It led to four drops falling at Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik and Ujjain. These four sites are the four Tirthas (holy sites). Devotees believe that a dip in the rivers flowing through these Tirthas (Ujjain — Narmada, Nashik — Godavari, Haridwar — Ganga and Sangam at Prayagraj will lead to salvation. These are the confluence point of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical river, Saraswati (not visible to the naked eyes). The Hindu Puranas and ancient texts have references of the mela.

Historical links

Kumbh Mela began to attract large crowds during the Gupta period (around 4th-6th century CE). The gathering grew bigger as it was supported by kings and rulers. They built temples and bathing ghats along the sacred rivers. From the 12th century onwards, the Kumbh Mela became an event with royal patronage and kings and rulers from various parts of India participated. The Mughal emperors, especially during the reign of Emperor Akbar, showed respect to the festival. During the British Rule, the festival drew citizens from all walks of life. This festival also gave a momentum to the freedom movement. According to the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), even Mahatma Gandhi took part in the Maha Kumbh Mela in 1918.

Kumbh Mela After Independence

1954: The first Kumbh Mela was organised in January by the Indian authorities.
1966: More than 7 lakh devotees took the holy dip on Magha Purnima, according to The Hindu.

1975: While Emergency was imposed across the country, in 1977 the completion of 12 Kumbh Melas was marked.

1989: The Kumbh area was expanded to 3,000 acres. More pontoon bridges were built by the Army over the Ganga. The crowd swelled to 1.5 crore and the Kumbh Mela was recorded in the Guinness World Book of Records as the world’s largest gathering of people, reported the News 18.

2001: The Kumbha Mela was broadcast by government’s media channel Doordarshan. India’s remote sensing satellite (IRS-ID) captured the landscape of the Kumbh area, the Hindu reported.

2013: A record 3 crore pilgrims reached the Sangam on Mauni Amavasya.

2019: Several new features were launched in the Ardh Kumbh at Prayagraj including the inclusion of the Kinnar Akhara. Over 10,000 sanitation workers who kept Kumbh premises clean were felicitated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Akharas and the Naga Sadhus

Sadhus (monks) from various ‘akharas’ had been gathering at Prayagraj to perform the Shahi Snan or the holy dip since the 8^th century. These Akharas are led by ‘Naga Sadhus.’ The bare-bodied sadhus, covered in ashes, and wear only weapons like tridents, swords, lances, coaches and drums, are called the Naga Sadhus.

There are 13 recognised Akharas, which participate in the Shahi Snan. These Akharas are the Shaivite akharas— Nirvani, Atal, Niranjani, Anand, Juna, Awahan and Agni; the Vairagi akharas — Nirmohi, Digambar Ani and Nirvani Ani, the two Udasin Akharas (Naya and Bada) and the Nirmala Akhara.

The transgender saints

In 2019, a group of 15-20 transgender saints as part of the Kinara Akhara – a 14th Century sect – from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Maharashtra took part in the Shahi Snan, reported The Hindu.

How is the location and timing of the mela decided?

The site of Kumbh Mela is decided on the basis of the astrological alignment of planets. As Jupiter takes about 12 years to revolve around the Sun and complete an orbit, the Kumbh Mela is celebrated four times in 12 years at Haridwar, Prayagraj, Ujjain and Nashik

Tragedies

1954: On January 23, about 300 pilgrims were left stranded and 600 houses were burnt. On February 3, a stampede occurred in Kumbh Nagar, leading to the deaths of at least 300 and injuring over a 1,000.

2013: On February 11, at least 10 people were killed and 39 injured after a footbridge collapsed due to the heavy rush of pilgrims at Allahabad railway station. After a few hours, 26 people were killed in another stampede. A minor fire also occurred at the Kumbh site killing one.