Swaraat/T S Venkatesh
Billed as one of the largest spiritual jamborees in the annal’s of bharath , the Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh is going to set a record of mass people gathering. In the first two days itself the holy city of confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswathi had witnessed a foot fall of over 1.5 crore by 5 pm on 14th the Mahara Sankaranthi day.
The 45 days spiritual gathering has begun on 13th January with the sacred bath on Paush Purnima, turning the frigid confluence of three rivers in Prayagraj into a sanctuary of warmth, spirituality and cultural heritage. This jamboree will end on 26th February. The Pragraj administration had set up 1.5 lakh tents with toilet, beds, easy chairs to take rest. Besides, there are hotels, guest houses that is catering to never ending rush of the devotees from all parts of the country as well from world nations. The district administration has deployed nearly 50,000 security personnel for bandobust duty.
The chilly weather of the holy city has turned into warmth with the millions of pilgrims arriving to take a holy dip. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a message lauded the Maha Kumbha Mela as the breathing example of bharath’s spiritual legacy and a celebration of faith and harmony. In a post in X, PM Modi said in Hindi with a hashtag Elta, Ka Mahakumbh during the first day of spiritual gathering. He hailed it has as “Maha Kumbh of Unity”. PM said “A very special day for crores of people who cherish Bharathiyas values and culture! Maha Kumbh 2025 commences in Prayagraj, bringing together countless people in a sacred confluence of faith, devotion and culture. The Maha Kumbh embodies Bharat’s timeless spiritual heritage and celebrates faith and harmony. I am happy to see Prayagraj abuzz with countless people coming there taking the holy dip and seeking blessings”. UP CM Yogi Adityanath termed the event as symbols of Bharath’s cultural unity in diversity. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said since time immemorial the symbol of the confluence of spirituality and faith, Maha Kumbh has been giving the message of equality and harmony to the whole world.
Unfazed by the temperature coming down to 10 degree Celsius and foggy morning, the pilgrims took holy dip in the rivers.
On the Inaugural Day, the holy city witnessed chants, meditation and prayers, the spiritual fervour was palpable. Rose petals were rained on pilgrims from helicopters. Already lakhs of sadhus including naga sadhus arrived and marched to the bathing points.
Unlike in Tamil Nadu where once in 12 years the Maha Maham in the temple city of Kumbakonam and once in 40 years the glimpse of Athi Varadar in Kanchipuram draw crowd mostly from within the state and from neighbouring states. Athi Varadar involves the emergence of a 9-foot-tall idol made of fig tree wood from the temple tank, Anantasaras. The idol is then worshipped for 48 days. Whereas the maha Kumbha is a duo decennial event, this year’s is considered as it aligns with a celestial event that occurs once every 144 years.
According to media reports, already 85 lakhs had taken the holy dip in the day’s runner up to Monday, the first day of the Maha Kumbh. Devotees are being allowed to 41 ghats spread over 12 km. Devotees and visitors from other countries added diversity to the event. A South Korean youtubers captured the vibrant spectacle while Japanese tourists exploring its spiritual essence with guides.
Uttar Pradesh authorities expect a huge crowd during this 45 days of spiritual jamboree. Special arrangements have been made to find people lost at the event. The sea of humans turned the holy city into a moving ocean. The splash of saffron flags and attires of Sadhus adds enchantments to eyes of visitors. Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, reached Prayagraj on 13th January to attend the Maha Kumbh, a day after visiting the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi. Pedro James, a yoga guru from Brazil said the Triveni Sangam water is cold but India’s heart is filled with warmth.