In a remarkable display of devotion and logistical coordination, millions of Hindu pilgrims began their sacred baths in the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers on Monday as the Kumbh Mela festival commenced in Prayagraj, India AFP has reported. Organisers anticipate a staggering 400 million visitors to the millennia-old festival, making it the largest gathering of humanity.
Before sunrise, vast crowds surged forward to bathe in the chilly waters, undeterred by the early morning chill. "I feel great joy," said Surmila Devi, 45 told AFP. "For me, it's like bathing in nectar."
Reena Rai, a 38-year-old businesswoman, expressed her emotional connection to the event. "As a Hindu, this is an unmissable occasion," she said, describing her 1,000-kilometre journey from Madhya Pradesh. Along the riverbanks, sprawling tents housed throngs of pilgrims and saffron-robed monks, while ascetics smeared in ash moved among the faithful, offering blessings.
A Festival of Faith and Scale
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Hindu monk Yogi Adityanath welcomed attendees to what he described as "the world's largest spiritual and cultural gathering." In a statement, he highlighted the festival's unique combination of faith and modernity, encouraging pilgrims to "experience unity in diversity, meditate, and take a holy bath."
The festival, which runs until 26 February, is rooted in Hindu mythology. It commemorates the battle between deities and demons for a pitcher containing the nectar of immortality. The riverside in Prayagraj has transformed into a makeshift city, with an infrastructure comparable to a small country.
"Some 350 to 400 million devotees are going to visit the mela, so you can imagine the scale of preparations," said Vivek Chaturvedi, the festival's spokesperson.
Immense Logistics and Spiritual Significance
The preparations include 150,000 newly built toilets, community kitchens capable of feeding 50,000 people simultaneously, and 68,000 LED light poles that illuminate the site so brightly they can be seen from space. Authorities have also implemented extensive security measures, with police conducting relentless patrols and managing lost-and-found centres and a dedicated app to reunite separated pilgrims.
On Sunday, the festival kicked off with a procession of Hindu monks and massive chariots adorned with idols, accompanied by elephants, drums, and cheering crowds. Pilgrims braved the rain to take their first dips, with temperatures dropping to around 15°C overnight.
"Once you are in the water, you don't even feel cold," said 56-year-old devotee Chandrakant Nagve Patel. "I felt like I was one with God."
A Journey of Faith
For many, the journey to Prayagraj is as important as the destination. Jaishree Ben Shahtilal travelled for three days with her neighbours from Gujarat in a convoy of 11 buses. "I have great faith in God," she said. "I have waited for so long to bathe in the holy river, AFP quoted."
The festival’s 2019 "ardh" or half Kumbh Mela drew 240 million attendees, a number dwarfed by this year’s anticipated participation. For comparison, the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia hosts around 1.8 million Muslims.
Bhawani Baneree, a government employee from Maharashtra, reflected on the vibrant atmosphere of the event. "Everything is so beautiful," he said, adding that the long journey had been worth every effort.
The Kumbh Mela, with its blend of devotion, mythology, and immense logistical challenges, remains a testament to India's cultural and spiritual heritage. For millions of Hindus, the festival offers a chance to cleanse their sins and find salvation in the holy waters.
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