Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extolled the recently-concluded Mahakumbh in UP’s Prayagraj, as a symbol of the nation’s devotion and unity, saying “a grand Mahayajna of Unity has been completed”. The Prime Minister noted that during the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, gods and goddesses, saints, women, children, youth, senior citizens and people from all walks of life came together.

“We witnessed the awakened consciousness of the nation. This was Ekta Ka Mahakumbh, where the sentiments of 140 crore Indians converged at the same place, at the same time, for this sacred occasion,” he said in a blog post after the festival’s end on Maha Shivratri day on Wednesday.

Following is the complete text of the Prime Minister’s blog post: The Mahakumbh has successfully concluded in the holy city of Prayagraj. A grand Mahayajna of Unity has been completed. When the consciousness of a nation awakens, when it breaks free from the shackles of a centuries-old mindset of subjugation, it breathes freely in the fresh air of renewed energy. The result of this was witnessed at the Ekta Ka Mahakumbh (Mahakumbh of Unity) in Prayagraj since January 13.

On January 22, 2024, during the Pran Pratishtha of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, I spoke about Devbhakti and Deshbhakti — devotion to the divine and to the nation. During the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, Gods and Goddesses, saints, women, children, youth, senior citizens and people from all walks of life came together. We witnessed the awakened consciousness of the nation. This was Ekta Ka Mahakumbh, where the sentiments of 140 crore Indians converged at the same place, at the same time, for this sacred occasion.

In this holy region of Prayagraj is Shringverpur, a sacred land of unity, harmony and love, where Prabhu Shri Ram and Nishadraj met. Their meeting symbolized the confluence of devotion and goodwill. Even today, Prayagraj inspires us with the same spirit. For 45 days, I witnessed crores of people from every corner of the country making their way to the Sangam. The wave of emotions at the confluence kept rising. Every devotee came with one purpose – taking a dip in the Sangam. The holy confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati filled every pilgrim with enthusiasm, energy, and confidence.

This Mahakumbh in Prayagraj is a subject of study for modern management professionals, planning, and policy experts. Nowhere in the world is there any parallel or example of this scale. The world watched in wonder how crores of people gathered at Prayagraj at the banks of the confluence of rivers. These people had no formal invitations, no prior communication on when to go. Yet crores of people left for the Mahakumbh of their own accord and felt the bliss of taking a dip in the sacred waters. I cannot forget those faces radiating immense joy and satisfaction after the holy dip.

Women, elders, our Divyang brothers and sisters – everyone found a way to reach the Sangam. It was particularly heartening for me to see the overwhelming participation of India’s youth. The presence of the younger generation at the Mahakumbh sends a profound message that the youth of India will be the torchbearers of our glorious culture and heritage. They understand their responsibility towards preserving it and are committed to carrying it forward. The number of people who arrived in Prayagraj for this Mahakumbh has undoubtedly created new records.

But beyond those physically present, crores of people who could not reach Prayagraj were also deeply connected emotionally to the occasion. The sacred water brought back by pilgrims became a source of spiritual bliss for millions. Many of those returning from the Mahakumbh were received with respect in their villages, honoured by society. What has happened in the last few weeks is unprecedented and has laid a foundation for centuries to come. More devotees arrived in Prayagraj than anyone had imagined. The administration had estimated attendance based on past experiences of the Kumbh. Nearly twice the population of the United States participated in this Ekta Ka Mahakumbh. If scholars of spirituality analyse the enthusiastic participation of crores of Indians, they will find that India, proud of its heritage, is now surging ahead with a new-found energy.

I believe this is the dawn of a new era, which will script the future of a new India. For thousands of years, the Mahakumbh has strengthened India’s national consciousness. Every Purnakumbh used to witness a gathering of saints, scholars and thinkers deliberating upon the state of society in their times. Their reflections used to provide a new direction to the nation and society. Every six years, during the Ardhkumbh, these ideas were reviewed. After 12 Purnakumbh occurrences spanning 144 years, obsolete traditions were given up, newer ideas were embraced, and new traditions were created move ahead with the times. After 144 years, in this Mahakumbh, our saints have once again given us a new message for India’s development journey.

That message is Developed India – Viksit Bharat. At this Ekta Ka Mahakumbh, every pilgrim, whether rich or poor, young or old, from villages or cities, from India or abroad, from the East or the West, from the North or the South, irrespective of caste, creed and ideology, came together. This was an embodiment of the vision of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat that filled confidence in crores of people. Now, we must come together in the same spirit for the mission of building a developed India. I am reminded of the incident where, as a little boy, Shri Krishna revealed a snapshot of the whole universe within His mouth to His mother Yashoda. Similarly, in this Mahakumbh, the people of India and the world have witnessed the massive potential of India’s collective strength. We must now move forward with this self-confidence and dedicate ourselves towards building a developed India.

Earlier, the saints of the Bhakti movement had identified and encouraged the strength of our collective resolve across India. From Swami Vivekananda to Sri Aurobindo, every great thinker reminded us of the power of our collective resolve. Even Mahatma Gandhi experienced it during the freedom movement. Post-independence, if this collective strength had been correctly recognised and harnessed towards boosting the welfare of all, it would have become a great force for a newly independent nation. Unfortunately, it was not done earlier. But now, I am gladdened to witness the way in which this collective strength of the people is coming together for a developed India. From the Vedas to Vivekananda, from the ancient scriptures to modern satellites, India’s great traditions have shaped this nation. As a citizen, I pray that we draw new inspiration from the memories of our ancestors and saints.

May this Ekta Ka Mahakumbh help us move ahead with new resolutions. Let us make unity our guiding principle. Let us work with the understanding that service to the nation is service to the divine. During my election campaign in Kashi, I had said, “Maa Ganga has called me.” This was not just an emotion but also a call of responsibility, towards the cleanliness of our sacred rivers. Standing at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati in Prayagraj, my resolve became even stronger. The cleanliness of our rivers is deeply linked to our own lives. It is our responsibility to celebrate our rivers, big or small, as life-giving mothers. This Mahakumbh has inspired us to keep working towards the cleanliness of our rivers. I know that organizing such a massive event was no easy task. I pray to Maa Ganga, Maa Yamuna, and Maa Saraswati to forgive us in case there were any shortcomings in our devotion.

I see Janata Janardan, the people, as an embodiment of divinity. In case there has been any shortcoming in our efforts to serve them, I also seek the forgiveness of the people. Crores of people came to the Mahakumbh with a feeling of devotion. Serving them was also a responsibility that was carried out with the same feeling of devotion. As a Member of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh, I can proudly say that under the leadership of Yogi Ji, the administration and the people worked together to make this Ekta Ka Mahakumbh a success. Be it the state or Centre, there were no rulers or administrators and instead, everyone was a devoted sevak. Sanitation workers, police, boatmen, drivers, people serving food – everyone worked tirelessly.

The way the people of Prayagraj welcomed the pilgrims with open hearts despite facing many inconveniences was particularly inspirational. I express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to them and the people of Uttar Pradesh. I have always had unwavering confidence in the bright future of our nation. Witnessing this Mahakumbh has strengthened my conviction manifold. The way 140 crore Indians turned the Ekta Ka Mahakumbh into a global occasion is truly wonderful. Moved by the dedication, devotion and efforts of our people, I will soon visit Shri Somnath, the first among the 12 Jyotirlingas, to offer the fruits of these collective national efforts to Him and to pray for every Indian. The physical form of the Mahakumbh may have culminated successfully on Mahashivratri, but just like the eternal flow of the Ganga, the spiritual strength, national consciousness and unity that Mahakumbh has awakened will continue to inspire us for generations to come.

–IANS

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India’s Science Minister, Dr. Jitendra Singh, has assured that there are “no signs of any disease outbreak” at the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, despite millions of devotees taking a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the lost Saraswati river. Dr. Singh attributed the successful management of public health to advancements in nuclear technology.

Over 500 million people have participated in the ritual, which exceeds the combined populations of the USA and Russia. Dr. Singh, who also serves as the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, noted, “More than 50 crore devotees have visited, yet there has been no sign of hygiene issues or epidemic threats.” He visited the Sangam on Monday and referred to the feat as a “Herculean task.”

This accomplishment is largely due to the use of innovative sewage treatment technologies developed by Indian institutions such as the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) in Mumbai and the Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research (IGCAR) in Kalpakkam, both of which fall under the Department of Atomic Energy.

A unique sewage treatment system, the Hybrid Granular Sequencing Batch Reactors (hgSBR) technology, is being utilized at the Maha Kumbh. These plants treat contaminated water using microbes and are often called Fecal Sludge Treatment Plants. The technology, pioneered by Dr. Venkat Nancharaiah of DAE, has been implemented along the banks of the Ganga and can process up to 150,000 liters of sewage daily.

The system uses bio-beads, bacteria-laden granules, to effectively treat wastewater. This method is preferred over traditional activated sludge systems due to its superior settling, higher biomass retention, and efficient treatment properties. Additionally, the bio-beads approach reduces land use, infrastructure needs, and operational costs, offering up to 60% savings in land footprint and 30% in costs compared to conventional methods.

The new system also reduces the size of biological treatment tanks by 20% and addresses the gap between sewage generation and treatment capacity. This achievement is notable given the history of disease outbreaks at previous Kumbh Mela events due to poor sanitation practices, such as open defecation and polluted water.

To further ensure cleanliness, the Uttar Pradesh government has installed 1.5 lakh toilets at the mela site and is operating 11 permanent and three temporary sewage treatment plants to handle the large volume of waste. Clean drinking water is being supplied through over 200 automatic water dispensing machines to meet the needs of the pilgrims.

(With Inputs From NDTV)

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I came across an ‘opinion’ piece by Dr Savita Jha Khan on the apparently disturbing trend of Hindus assembling in large numbers. What is put across as a concern looks more like fear when one reads the piece.

At the outset, Mrs Khan wonders whether going to Kumbh means Hindus have started following a codified, performative & mandatory form of Hinduism. This assumption is shocking because Hinduism is not a bunch of random beliefs. It has its codes, its rituals & mandates.

Mrs Khan thinks that Hindus are increasingly adopting Abrahamic characters like centralisation, rigidity, mass mobilisation, etc. She doesn’t give any proof of either centralisation or rigidity of Hindus but uses these words more than once in her opinion.

Mass mobilisation has always been a part of Hinduism. Foreign travellers & Indian historians have mentioned mass events. Bathing rituals were common even in the SSC times. The Great Bath is a proof of that.

The Kumbh Mela is not the ultimate destination even today. It is voluntary. Mrs Khan believes that Kumbh was a journey for oldies nearing their end. This is not true. Yes a lot of elderlies would go on pilgrimage, but does she know why it was so?

It was mostly because yatra was difficult. People would walk or travel in carts for weeks & sleep under trees or in sarais. They were exposed to adverse weather, wild animals, snake bites, dacoits, etc. Making such a hard journey, to & fro was extremely dangerous.

Here, Mrs Khan makes so many assumptions, as if she personally knows everyone going to Kumbh. Of course participation has increased. Because now it is not dangerous to go on a yatra. People do not wait for their children to get married before going on a yatra anymore.

Then out of no where Mrs Khan brings in Kanwar Yatra. Probably because she cannot bring in the Tazia processions or Shab-e-barat anarchy.

Fear of Mrs Khan is evident here. She thinks only Abrahamic faiths have the concept of processions & gatherings. It is sad that despite being a student & a teacher of history she has so little knowledge of Indic faiths.

Faxian in his travel records mentions grand processions at least twice. Once in Hotan & once in Pataliputra. The tradition of grand procession is definitely not a ‘new’ thing as she wants us to believe. Again more Hindus are going on pilgrimage because it is easy to do so now.

Here Mrs Khan has completely lost it. She is scared that Hindus are now participating in ever larger numbers in their festivals, yatras & congregations. She thinks Hindus are better off praying at home than assembling in massive numbers.

Mrs Khan thinks that people bathing at Kumbh is some how a ‘challenge to Hinduism’s foundational essence’. This is typical of Marxist historians who are experts in twisting facts. Rivers & river bathing has been mentioned in Rigveda & Puranas.

The Rigveda has an entire hymn (Nadistuti Sukta RV 10:75) dedicated to praises of rivers. Bhagirath did tapa to bring Ganga down to earth so his ancestors could attain moksha. Rivers & river bathing has always been integral to Hinduism.

Vedas & Puranas are the very foundation of Hinduism & they exalt bathing in rivers. There is a reason Kumbh happens every 12 years & not on a convenient weekend. There is a long history of mass gatherings, processions & yatras, which Mrs Khan conveniently forgot.

Mrs Khan pretends to ‘worry’ about the changes in Hinduism but in fact she is just wants Hindus to not show any sign of cohesiveness. She would rather have them divided on caste & language than come together for peaceful spiritual gatherings.

I came across an ‘opinion’ piece by Dr Savita Jha Khan on the apparently disturbing trend of Hindus assembling in large numbers. What is put across as a concern looks more like fear when one reads the piece.

Here is what I found.#Thread pic.twitter.com/CmYiiVYVzy

— Indic History (@IndicHistory) February 20, 2025

Vijender Sharma is a history enthusiast and author. He has written two books, Essays on Indic History & The Cusp Years, on the lesser known aspects of Indian history.

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The globally renowned Mahakumbh celebration, which began on 13 January 2025, and will conclude around 26 February 2025, has witnessed an immense turnout of over 50 crore devotees, saints, and pilgrims so far. They have come to bathe in the sacred Triveni Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers meet. This extraordinary religious event has broken all attendance records.

In this backdrop, political commentator and former sports quiz host Sumanth Raman took to social media to indirectly criticize the event, questioning, “Can anyone explain how the current #Kumbh is a once-in-144-years event? Kumbh occurs every 12 years. So where did the 144 come from? Many visitors keep saying this is a once-in-a-lifetime event. What is the source of this?”

Can anyone explain how the present #Kumbh is a once in 144 year event? Kumbh is held once in 12 years. Where did this 144 come from? Many people who visit keep saying this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. What is the source of this?

— Sumanth Raman (@sumanthraman) February 18, 2025

In his post, Raman not only raised the question but also asked for the source. While a quick Google search could have provided an answer, it seemed his real intention was to get left-wing and Dravidian groups to engage with his post, which largely fell flat. Despite his critique, the origin story and the scientific aspects of Kumbh still hold true today.

What was even more surprising was that former sports quiz host Sumanth Raman relied on a misleading post circulating on WhatsApp University, which falsely claimed that the Mahakumbh happens every 12 years. Even that post was simply a cut, copy, and edit from Wikipedia page. After seeing it, Sumanth started questioning the event without taking the time to verify the information. In reality, the Purna Kumbh takes place once every 12 years, not the Mahakumbh.

The Atharva Veda clearly states: “O saints! The Purna Kumbh occurs every twelve years and is witnessed at the four sacred sites of Haridwar, Prayagraj, Ujjain, and Nashik. Kumbh represents a cosmic event influenced by the alignment of planets and constellations.”

The Kumbh Mela itself is timed based on the astrological positions of Jupiter and the Sun. Jupiter, known as the “Guru of the Gods” in Hindu mythology, takes approximately 12 years (11.86 years, to be precise) to orbit the Sun. Each year, Jupiter transitions into a new zodiac sign, completing a full cycle of the 12 zodiac signs in 12 years. The Kumbh Mela is celebrated when Jupiter enters specific zodiac signs, and the Sun aligns in particular positions, creating an auspicious astrological configuration.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, however, occurs once every 144 years. This is because it signifies the completion of 12 full cycles of the 12-year Kumbh Mela (12 x 12 = 144). For instance, in Prayagraj, the Maha Kumbh Mela takes place when Jupiter is in Taurus and the Sun is in Capricorn, marking an exceptionally rare and sacred alignment. The uniqueness of the Maha Kumbh lies in a rare planetary alignment. It takes place when Jupiter transits over Taurus while the Sun is in Capricorn, along with the presence of the Pushya Nakshatra. This specific alignment happens only once in 144 years, making the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela particularly significant. While Kumbh Mela occurs every 12 years at Prayagraj, the Maha Kumbh is marked by this extraordinary celestial configuration, which enhances its spiritual and astrological importance.

This once again highlights the danger of spreading half-formed or inaccurate information. Sumanth Raman was caught red-handed for endorsing baseless claims from WhatsApp University without proper fact-checking.

The Story Behind Kumbh Mela

The term “kumbh” comes from the Sanskrit word for pitcher or pot. The legend states that when the Devas and Asuras churned the ocean, Dhanvantari emerged with a pitcher of amrita, the elixir of immortality. To prevent the Asuras from claiming it, Jayant, the son of Indra, ran off with the pot. He was accompanied by the Sun, Shani, Brihaspati (Jupiter), and the Moon, who protected him and the amrita. During his flight, the elixir spilled at four locations: Haridwar, Prayagraj, Ujjain, and Nashik-Trimbakeshwar. Since Jayant ran for 12 days, and one day of the Devas equals one human year, the Kumbh Mela is celebrated every 12 years at these locations, in alignment with the positions of the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter.

Prayagraj and Haridwar also host the Ardh-Kumbh (meaning “half” Kumbh) every six years. The full festival that occurs every 12 years is known as Poorna Kumbh or Maha Kumbh. Each of these four places is situated on the banks of a river—Haridwar on the Ganga, Prayagraj at the confluence (Sangam) of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati, Ujjain by the Kshipra, and Nashik-Trimbakeshwar by the Godavari.

It is believed that bathing in these rivers during the Kumbh Mela, especially during the specific celestial alignment, washes away sins and brings spiritual merit (punya). The event also serves as a gathering place for sadhus and other holy figures, with the sadhu akhadas attracting much curiosity. It offers people an opportunity to meet these revered figures and gain spiritual insight.

While the Ganga’s significance in Hinduism is widely known, the Kshipra is said to have emerged from the heart of Vishnu in his Varah (boar) incarnation. The Godavari is often referred to as the “Ganga of the South.”

• Maha Kumbh: The rarest and most sacred Kumbh Mela, celebrated once every 144 years in Prayagraj stands out as a once-in-a-lifetime event, radiating unmatched spiritual energy.
• Purna Kumbh: Held every 12 years in Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. It is a grand occasion, attracting millions of devotees who come together to perform sacred rituals.
• Ardh Kumbh: A smaller-scale gathering held every 6 years in Prayagraj and Haridwar.
• Magh Mela: An annual event in Prayagraj, taking place during January and February.

An essential part of the festival is the presence of Naga Sadhus, ascetics as a symbol of renunciation.

Why This Maha Kumbh Holds Ultimate Significance

The Maha Kumbh Mela of 2025 is of exceptional importance, as it marks a rare celestial alignment that has not occurred in 144 years. For the first time in over a century, the positions of four major planets will align perfectly, and just three hours before Amavasya on 29 January, the Pushya Nakshatra will align with the four planets. This alignment adds unparalleled astrological significance to this Kumbh Mela, making it the most auspicious one in the past 144 years.

The Kumbh Mela, which occurs four times every 12 years, takes place at one of four sacred locations—Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik—in rotation. The timing of the Kumbh Mela depends on the positions of the Jupiter, Sun, and Moon, as well as the zodiac signs they inhabit. Since Jupiter takes around 12 years to complete its orbit around the Sun, the Kumbh Mela is celebrated four times within that period. The Prayagraj Kumbh Mela, for example, takes place when Jupiter is positioned in Taurus, and the Sun and Moon are aligned in Capricorn.

25th January 2025

As per the configuration of the planetary system and different revolution periods of planets, it is rare to have all planets in a single frame of the sky. In January to February 2025 we can see the planets Jupiter and Mars on eastern sky, Saturn and Venus in… pic.twitter.com/G0AJnOXRjP

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) January 25, 2025

According to NASA, such planetary alignments involving four or more planets are rare, and the visibility of bright planets like Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus makes this event even more special. While such alignments do occur periodically, the visibility of multiple bright planets is not an everyday occurrence.

The best time to view the alignment will be about 45 minutes after sunset. Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn will be visible to the naked eye, while Uranus and Neptune will require a telescope. Venus will shine the brightest, appearing prominently in the southwestern sky, while Mars will glow red in the eastern sky, and Jupiter will dominate the overhead view. Saturn will be visible in the western sky as a small dot. Uranus and Neptune, though part of the alignment, will be too distant for unaided eyes to catch.

This event, while not technically rare in the astronomical sense, holds great importance due to the unique combination of celestial factors and the rare alignment of six planets visible to the naked eye. This adds an extra layer of meaning to the 2025 Maha Kumbh, enhancing its spiritual and astrological significance.

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is set to visit Prayagraj on Tuesday to participate in various programmes and review security arrangements for the ongoing Maha Kumbh. During his visit, the Chief Minister will offer prayers at Sangam Nose, Akshayvat, and Hanuman Temple. His visit coincides with the expected arrival of Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in the city on Tuesday.

CM Yogi will be present to welcome him and oversee his participation in the grand religious gathering. The Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj has already witnessed around 35 crore devotees taking a sacred dip at the Triveni Sangam. On the occasion of Basant Panchami, massive crowds gathered for the Amrit Snan, with lakhs of devotees travelling from across the country.

Despite a recent stampede incident that left 30 dead and over 60 hurt, the enthusiasm among pilgrims has remained undeterred. In response to the incident, security measures have been intensified, and CM Yogi is personally monitoring the arrangements.

The increased vigilance was evident during the Basant Panchami Amrit Snan, where thousands of devotees took a peaceful and organised holy dip at the Sangam Nose. The Chief Minister had also conducted a high-level review meeting from his official residence to ensure smooth arrangements. With another large turnout expected today, he will again be in Prayagraj to assess the situation on the ground.

According to the Media Centre of Mahakumbh 2025, CM Yogi’s schedule in Prayagraj includes multiple engagements. He will arrive at 10:10 AM and proceed to perform rituals at key religious sites. He will also visit the Digital Mahakumbh Experience Centre in Sector 3 and inspect the Triveni Complex before concluding his tour.

The Chief Minister is scheduled to depart for Lucknow at 3:15 PM. Meanwhile, King Wangchuk is also likely to take a holy dip at the Maha Kumbh. CM Yogi will be present to receive him and oversee the arrangements for his visit. With heightened security and lakhs of devotees expected to arrive, authorities are leaving no stone unturned to ensure a smooth and safe experience for all attendees.

–IANS

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At least 30 people were killed and about 60 injured in the stampede that broke out at the Mahakumbh mela ground in Prayagraj, in the early hours of Wednesday, a top police officer said.

Vaibhav Krishna, the DIG rank officer at Mahakumbh told the press that 25 bodies have been identified so far and the process of identification for the rest is underway. He said the injured are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital.

This is the first official confirmation about the death toll and the number of injured in the Mahakumbh stampede. Soon after the news broke about deaths in stampede, political parties were prompt in offering their condolences on loss of loved ones, however, the number of deaths was not clear.

Addressing the media, the DIG rank officer overseeing the Mahakumbh festivities said: “At around 1-2 a.m. before the Brahma Muhurta, a huge crowd gathered at the Akhara Marg. Due to the massive gathering, the barricades on the other side broke and the crowd ran over the devotees, wanting to take a dip at the Sangam.”

He said that at least 90 people were taken to the hospital through ambulances but unfortunately, 30 devotees have passed away. Sharing information on the unidentified deceased devotees, he said that they are from Assam, Gujarat and Karnataka.

Also, talking about the Uttar Pradesh government’s efforts in salvaging the situation post stampede, he said that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made an appeal to all the saints, seers, Akharas and Mahamandaleshwars to postpone their dip by a few hours. Notably, ‘Mauni Amavasya’ is the one of most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar, falling on Magh Krishna Amavasya.

It is believed that on this day, the water of holy river turns into ‘Amrit’. The bath on this day is traditionally performed in silence.

–IANS

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The festivals of Maha Kumbh Mela, Mahamaham, and Mamankam hold immense significance in the religious and cultural life of India. Despite being culturally same and geographically distinct, these festivals share a profound spiritual connection through their underlying themes of ritual purification, cosmic alignment, and devotion to sacred waters. Both Maha Kumbh Mela and Mahamaham attract millions of devotees, saints, and pilgrims, symbolizing a collective quest for spiritual liberation and divine grace.

Maha Kumbh Mela is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, held every twelve years at four different locations in India—Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. The festival’s origins are rooted in Hindu traditions, particularly the legend of the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean) and the struggle between gods and demons for the nectar of immortality (amrita). During this struggle, a few drops of the nectar fell at these four locations, making them sacred sites. The primary ritual of Maha Kumbh Mela involves taking a holy dip in the sacred rivers—the Ganges at Prayagraj and Haridwar, the Godavari at Nashik, and the Shipra at Ujjain. Bathing in these rivers during the Kumbh Mela is believed to cleanse one of all sins and help in attaining moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death). The festival also acts as a venue for philosophical discussions, spiritual discourses, and religious congregations.

Mahamaham is a prominent festival celebrated once every twelve years in the town of Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. The festival is centered around the Mahamaham tank, a large temple tank where nine sacred rivers are believed to converge. According to legend, Lord Shiva appeared in Kumbakonam to purify the waters after a cosmic deluge. Devotees believe that bathing in the Mahamaham tank during the festival absolves them of their sins and grants spiritual merit. The festival involves elaborate rituals, including ceremonial bathing, processions of temple deities, and various religious ceremonies. It attracts pilgrims from across southern India, creating a vibrant spiritual atmosphere that reflects the region’s rich cultural heritage.

Mamankam was a historic river festival held on the banks of the Bharathapuzha River in Kerala , probably the only river named after the name of the country. It was celebrated once every twelve years in the ancient kingdom of Valluvanad and initially had religious significance, centered around the worship of deities and ritual bathing in the river. Over time, it evolved into a platform for political rivalry and power struggles. The Zamorin of Calicut played a key role in these events, as warriors from different clans participated in ritual combat to challenge the Zamorin’s authority. Despite its political dimensions, Mamankam retained its spiritual essence, symbolizing the sanctity of the Bharathapuzha River and the importance of ritual purification. Today, Mamankam is remembered for its unique blend of religious devotion and historical significance.

Despite their regional differences, Maha Kumbh Mela, Mahamaham, and Mamankam share several common aspects that highlight their eternal connection. All these festivals revolve around the sanctity of water bodies, emphasizing the purifying power of water in Hindu philosophy. The act of bathing in the rivers during these festivals is seen as a means of spiritual cleansing and renewal. The timing of Maha Kumbh Mela and Mahamaham is determined by precise astronomical calculations. The Maha Kumbh Mela occurs when Jupiter enters Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries, while Mahamaham is celebrated when Jupiter transits the zodiac sign of Leo. Although Mamankam does not follow such astronomical rules, it reflects a similar spiritual connection with the river and cosmic order.

These festivals are believed to offer devotees an opportunity to attain moksha. The rituals performed during these events aim to help devotees transcend worldly existence and achieve spiritual freedom. Maha Kumbh Mela, Mahamaham, and Mamankam act as major pilgrimage events that bring together diverse communities from across the country. They promote a sense of unity and shared spiritual purpose, highlighting the inclusive nature of Hindu traditions.

River festivals like Maha Kumbh Mela, Mahamaham, and Mamankam play an important role in the spiritual and cultural life of India. Rivers are revered in in prayers as living deities, symbolizing life, fertility, and purity. These festivals celebrate the sacredness of rivers and strengthen the ecological and spiritual relationship between humans and nature. River festivals provide an opportunity for collective worship and reflection, encouraging a sense of community and shared values. They also contribute to the preservation of religious traditions and the transmission of cultural knowledge across generations. The economic impact of these festivals is significant, as they boost local economies through tourism and related activities.

The eternal connection between Maha Kumbh Mela, Mahamaham, and Mamankam lies in their shared emphasis on sacred waters, cosmic alignment, and spiritual liberation. These festivals exemplify the profound spiritual heritage of India and continue to inspire millions of devotees in their quest for divine grace and enlightenment.

Vishnu Achutha Menon is an Assistant Professor at the Institute for Educational and Developmental Studies.

Sandeep Kumar P serves as the Director of the Centre for South Indian Studies.

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A report on Wednesday showed a stupendous rise in inbound travel for spiritual purposes in India, primarily driven by Maha Kumbh 2025.

Visa processing platform Atlys has witnessed a 21.4 per cent increase in inbound travel to the country for spiritual purposes. The surge in applications is largely driven by travellers from the UK and the US, underscoring the global interest in India’s spiritual offerings. The data revealed that nearly 48 per cent of all spiritual travel visa applications are linked to major events and pilgrimages like the Maha Kumbh.

As per data, group inbound travel applications have surged 35 per cent, reflecting a growing preference for communal spiritual experiences. The sacred trinity of Varanasi, Rishikesh and Haridwar continues to dominate destination preferences.

While spiritual travel was once predominantly associated with older generations, millennials now lead the trend, with 66 per cent of this segment being women – indicating a broader move toward female-led spiritual exploration, said the report. Over the past decade, global interest in spiritual tourism has steadily risen, positioning India at the forefront with its rich spiritual heritage and diverse cultural tapestry.

“India’s spiritual legacy has always captured global attention, but we’re now seeing an embrace of these sacred journeys by travellers seeking both adventure and self-discovery,” said Mohak Nahta, Founder and CEO of Atlys.

The Maha Kumbh and similar festivals are no longer just for traditional pilgrims; they’re appealing to a broader audience looking for meaningful experiences. The Maha Kumbh, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, is currently underway and is set to attract more than 40 crore million pilgrims.

According to the latest data estimation by the Uttar Pradesh government, more than 9.24 crore devotees have taken the sacred bath (‘Amrit Snan’) in Triveni Sangam. Meanwhile, around 43.18 lakh devotees visited the Maha Kumbh Nagar on Tuesday (January 21).

–IANS

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Gautam Adani, the Chairman of the Adani Group along with his wife Priti Adani made a heartfelt visit to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj on Tuesday, to participate in the ‘Ganga Puja’ and ‘Mahaprasad Seva’.

Gautam Adani immersed himself in the sacred rituals of Maha Kumbh, the world’s largest religious gathering and offered prayers. The billionaire also participated in a host of rituals at the Mela ground, including preparation of the ‘Mahaprasad’ (sacred meal) and distributing it to the Kumbh pilgrims.

After offering prayers, Gautam Adani was also seen eating prasad along with his family members. As Gautam Adani along with his wife reached the ISKCON tent in Sector 18 this morning, they were welcomed with garlands and greeted with the outpouring of warmth from hundreds of devotees. Adani’s visit to Maha Kumbh underscores the deep connection between faith and service, as has been underlined in unique initiatives by the Adani Group like ‘Mahaprasad Seva’ and copies of ‘Aarti Sangrah’ to devotees.

An integral part of the Adani Group’s contribution to the Kumbh Mela is its collaboration with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) for distributing Mahaprasad to the millions of pilgrims. Devotees at Maha Kumbh are continuously praising Gautam Adani for his role in supporting this monumental event. The overwhelming response to the initiative reflects the spiritual and humanitarian impact of Adani Group’s contribution.

The Mahaprasad will be offered for the entire duration of the fair i.e. till February 26. Adani Group has also collaborated with Gita Press for a free distribution of 1 crore copies of “Aarti Sangraha” among the devotees at Maha Kumbh. Meanwhile, the spirit of devotion remained unshaken at the Mela ground despite the challenges posed by the chilly winter weather and dense fog.

On the ninth day of the Maha Kumbh, over 1.59 million devotees braved the freezing temperatures to bathe at the Triveni Sangam. According to the Uttar Pradesh government, by January 20, more than 88.1 million devotees had already visited the Sangam, making the Kumbh Mela one of the largest gatherings of humanity in the world.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, held once every 12 years at four rotating locations—Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain—continues to be a beacon of faith and devotion for millions of Hindus around the world. The event holds immense significance, offering an opportunity to cleanse one’s sins and seek spiritual renewal.

–IANS

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The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s (MeitY) has integrated its AI-driven language translation tool — Bhashini — at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj being held from January 13 to February 26, to boost accessibility in 11 languages.

The Ministry noted that Bhashini’s language translation ecosystem will help those attending the world’s biggest spiritual conglomeration through the ‘Digital Lost & Found Solution’.

People can register lost/found items using voice in native languages; and also use the platform to make real-time text/voice translation for easy communication at the mega event. It also provides multilingual chatbot assistance for queries and kiosk navigation.

Devotees can use the mobile app for translating guidelines into local languages; as well as get seamless communication with police officials. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also launched the Kumbh Sah’AI’yak chatbot — an AI-powered, multilingual, voice-enabled chatbot designed to assist millions of visitors during Mahakumbh 2025.

The bot, powered by cutting-edge AI technologies (such as Llama LLM), is aimed at providing seamless, real-time information and navigation assistance to all. Supported by Bhashini’s language translation, the chatbot is in 11 languages, including Hindi, English, and nine other Indian languages.

Further, the Bhashini mobile application’s Converse feature aims to facilitate seamless communication for the devotees with the unit of UP Police’s 112 emergency helpline deployed at the mega event.

The Uttar Pradesh Police Department has collaborated with the Bhashini App to train field officers to utilise the Converse feature in the app to understand the grievances of the distressed devotees seeking help in case of a language barrier.

“Bhashini, thus, aims to greatly enhance the experience for visitors at MahaKumbh 2025 with multilingual support for queries and navigation. Bhashini’s language translation ecosystem has ensured a smooth and inclusive experience for all attendees, reflecting MeitY’s commitment to technological innovation and accessibility,” the ministry said.

–IANS

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