New Delhi
The Kumbh Mela which is held every 12 years coinciding with the planet Jupiter’s completing a round of Sun, has been on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO since 2017. However, the ongoing Mahakumbh mela is held every 144 years to commemorate 12 rounds of Jupiter’s circling the Sun.
The festival has its roots in mythology as much as the profound knowledge of cosmos and planetary movements and its impact on human life ancient Indias. It's considered the largest ‘peaceful congregation of pilgrims on earth.”
According to UNESCO, “Devotees take a dip in a sacred river believing 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. The festival is held at Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nasik every four years by rotation and is attended by millions of people irrespective of caste, creed, or gender. Its primary bearers, however, belong to akhadas and ashrams, religious organizations, or individuals living on alms.
A pilgrims praying before taking a dip in Triveni Sangam at Prayagraj
Kumbh Mela plays a central spiritual role in the country, exerting a mesmeric influence on ordinary Indians. The event encapsulates the science of astronomy, astrology, spirituality, ritualistic traditions, and social and cultural customs and practices, making it extremely rich in knowledge.
As it is held in four different cities in India – Haridwar (Ganges), Ujjain (Shipra), Nashik (Godavari), and Prayagraj (Ganges-Yamuna-Saraswati) and, it involves different social and cultural activities, making this a culturally diverse festival. Knowledge and skills related to the tradition are transmitted through ancient religious manuscripts, oral traditions, historical travelogues, and texts produced by eminent historians.’
UNESCO also speaks of the festival celebrating the teacher-student relationship of the sadhus in the ashrams and akhadas as “the most important method of imparting and safeguarding knowledge and skills relating to Kumbh Mela.”
The Kumbh Mela is guided by scientific principles like astronomy, astrology, and geomagnetism. The festival's timing and location are based on celestial alignments and the positions of the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter.
A foreigner at Kumbh Mela, Prayagraj
The festival is held when the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter align, which is considered to be the holiest time in Hinduism.
The festival is held at locations believed to have strong geomagnetic energy fields, which are thought to be conducive to spiritual growth.
Research suggests that planetary alignments can affect the Earth's electromagnetic fields, which may influence the human body.
The festival's location is determined by the positions of the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter. For example, the Kumbh Mela is held in Haridwar when Jupiter is in Aquarius, and in Prayagraj when Jupiter is in Taurus.
Devotees crossing the Ganga at Prayagraj
The Prayagraj Mahakumbh officially began with the successful completion of the ‘Paush Purnima’ bathing festival. All preparations are now in place for the ‘Amrit Snan’, which will take place on Makar Sankranti, on January 14.
This year, the Maha Snan or Shahi Snan is being referred to as Amrit Snan. The Mahakumbh Mela administration has meticulously organised the sequence of the sacred bath for the 13 Akharas of Sanatan Dharma, ensuring that each Akhara follows traditional customs and set timings.
Mahant Acharya Devendra Singh Shastri, Secretary of Shri Panchayati Akhara Nirmal, confirmed that the dates, sequence, and timings for all Akharas have been communicated, ensuring a smooth and reverent ceremony.
The Amrit Snan for Mahakumbh 2025 will begin on Makar Sankranti, January 14. Shri Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani, along with Shri Shambhu Panchayati Atal Akhara, will take the first Amrit Snan.
Security Forces at Prayagraj
Around 16 million people took the holy dip on the ghats of Sangam, on 'Paush Purnima,' the first day of Maha Kumbh.
Devotees and visitors who managed to reach Prayagraj to witness the first day of the world's largest religious congregation praised all the facilities provided by the Uttar Pradesh government for the 45-day-long event. People from all over the country and the world thronged to the Kumbh Mela.
To maintain security in the area, National Security Guard (NSG) commands were deployed, tightening security.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hailed the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj as the "Mahakumbh of Unity."
This message resonated widely on social media, with #Ekta_Ka_Mahakumbh trending during the Paush Purnima Snan Parv.
A devotee singing at the celestial event
CM Yogi Adityanath also joined the conversation, and his use of the hashtag triggered a surge of responses, quickly propelling the hashtag to the top of the trending charts.
By afternoon, the hashtag topped trending charts, showcasing widespread public participation and the collective spirit of unity symbolized by this historic gathering.
UP CM also greeted people assembled at Maon the auspicious 'Paush Purnima' at Sangam.
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya also that the first 'snaan' of Maha Kumbh was held with safety and cleanliness and noted that other 'snaans' will be held in the same grand manner.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami extended his greetings to devotees, pilgrims and seers at the Kumbh.
"The Mahakumbh has begun. I congratulate all devotees, pilgrims, and the saints. Everyone should take part in the holy 'snaan' during the Mahakumbh and get rid of all sins," CM Dhami told ANI.
Reliance Consumer products also partnered with Maha Kumbh to service pilgrims with 'seva' and care.
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The company's statement read that it is proud to contribute to this sacred event, hailed as the "Mahayagya of Unity", reflecting the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promote national harmony and spiritual well-being.