KUMBH MELA IS THE CONGREGATION OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ON THE BANKS OF SACRED RIVERS, WHO GATHER FROM ALL ROUND THE GLOBE.
As one hears the word Kumbh the picturesque vision of Triveni Sangam, the sacred confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna and the mystical Saraswati flashes in the mind. The Ardh Kumbh Mela began with the Shahi Snan on Makar Sankranti, January 15. This 48-day event is expected to see a record turnout of around fifteen crore people, making it the biggest human congregation on earth. The administration has made several arrangements to make the world’s largest peaceful gathering of people a pleasant experience.
This Mela held every year in rotation in these four cities- Haridwar, Prayag, Nasik, and Ujjain, this year’s Mela is touted to have a footfall of whopping 150 million over its course, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said while addressing a gathering in Mumbai during the animation video launch of Kumbh-2019. The chief minister also detailed the state government’s preparedness for the mega event.
More than 1 crore devotees took the holy dip in Ganga at the Sangam. Devotees in large number were seen offering prayers at the Sangam from midnight on Monday.
Security personnel from the Uttar Pradesh Police and central para-military forces are doing their best to control the situation at Prayagraj railway station, bus station and other areas.
The Paush Purnima or full moon day also marked the beginning of Kalpwas where pilgrims worship on the banks of Ganga till the culmination of the Kumbh Mela. They give up their social life, eat a meal a day and thrice take a dip in the Ganga.
Speaking to some news channel a tourist from Australia, said, “I am a software engineer with a very busy work schedule. However, I have taken leave for two weeks just to attend the Kumbh Mela. It’s for the first time I have ever seen such a huge congregation of sants and devotees. Sadhus in different attires are incredible. We can’t witness such devotion in other countries.”
The next holy bath at the Kumbh Mela is scheduled on February 4 on the occasion of ‘Mauni Amavasya’ where a huge turnout is expected.
