Millions Gather for Sacred Bathing at Maha Kumbh Mela
Tens of thousands of Hindu devotees braved freezing waters on Monday to immerse themselves at the confluence of sacred rivers in Prayagraj, marking the beginning of the six-week Maha Kumbh Mela, a religious festival renowned as the world’s largest gathering of humanity.
Held every 12 years, the Maha Kumbh Mela, also known as the “Great Pitcher Festival,” is expected to draw more than 400 million visitors, including Indians and international tourists.
First Ritual Bath Draws Millions
The festival opened with Monday’s first ritual bath, which authorities anticipated would attract over 2.5 million participants. The event will culminate in the “royal bath” on Tuesday, an exclusive ritual for ascetics believed to cleanse sins and grant salvation from the cycle of life and death.
Devotees converged at the sacred Sangam, where the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers meet, to take their ritual dips, considered auspicious for spiritual purification. Many waited in long lines for sunrise, the most favorable time for the immersion.
Extensive Security Measures
To ensure safety and crowd management, authorities have deployed 40,000 police officers and installed artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled surveillance cameras for continuous monitoring. Strict public advisories urged attendees to move in orderly lines without halting at any point.
“This is our festival,” said ascetic Hazari Lala Mishra, who took his ceremonial dip before sunrise. “It is the only festival for hermits and monks, and we wait for it desperately.”
A Spiritual and Cultural Marvel
The Maha Kumbh Mela is not just a religious gathering but also a cultural spectacle, drawing millions from diverse backgrounds to partake in the spiritual significance of the event. The festival highlights India’s rich spiritual heritage and the deep-seated traditions of its people.
The festival will continue for six weeks, featuring ritual bathing, prayers, religious discourses, and cultural activities, with the crowds expected to swell further as it progresses.
