M S Nazki
Garlands are one of the many props that are put up for sale during the Hindu festivities and Maha Kumbh is one of the biggest festivals which comes after every twelve years! This is the year of the Maha Kumbh!
-People have gathered from all over the Nation and internationally too to take the holy dip in the Sangam of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati!
-But before we come to the the festival s such let us talk about the history of Paryag:
-Prayag in modern-day Allahabad is believed to be the most important pilgrimage centre for Hindus. Traditionally river confluences are regarded as auspicious places, but in Sangam, the significance of the confluence is most pious because here, the holy Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati meet to become one.
-According to legends, Vishnu was carrying a Kumbh (pot) of amrit (nectar), when a scuffle broke out and four drops were spilled. They fell to earth at the four Tirthas of Prayag, Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain.
-A tirtha (pilgrimage center) is a place where the devout can attain salvation. The event is commemorated every three years by the Kumbh Mela, held at each tirtha in turn; the Sangam is known as Tirtharaj, the ‘King of Tirthas’ and here the Kumbh is held once in every twelve years, which is the greatest and holiest of all.
-The Maha Kumbh Mela is the largest religious congregation in India, attended by millions. The over month-long fair is marked by the construction of a massive tented township, complete with cottages, huts, platforms, civic facilities, administrative and security measures. It is organized immaculately by the government, the local authorities and the police. The mela is especially renowned for the presence of an extraordinary array of religious ascetics – sadhus and mahants – enticed from remote hideaways in forests, mountains and caves.
-Once astrologers have determined the propitious bathing time or Kumbhayog, the first to hit the water is by legions of Naga Sadhus or Naga Babas, who cover their naked bodies with ash and wear hair in long dreadlocks. The sadhus, who see themselves as guardians of the faith, approach the confluence at the scheduled time with all the pomp and bravado of a charging army. The most recent Maha Kumbh Mela was held in 2013 and the next is due in 2025.
–Sangam
-This is the point where the brown water of the Ganga meets the green water of the Yamuna, along with the mythical Saraswati, which remains unseen but believed to run underground. It is located about 7 km from Civil Lines, overlooked by the eastern ramparts of the Akbar Fort.
-Wide flood plains and muddy banks protrude towards the sacred Sangam. At the mid-river point priests perch on small platforms to perform puja and assist the devout in their ritual ablutions in the shallow waters. A dip in the Sangam water is supposed to be the holiest of the holy pilgrimages for the devout Hindu. Boats to the Sangam can be rented by pilgrims and tourists alike at the ghat near the fort. It is during the Maha Kumbh/Kumbh that the Sangam truly comes alive, attracting the devout from all across the country.
–Kumbh:
-The main festival is celebrated among four sacred sites in India, each located along the banks of a holy river, in a 12-year cycle. These sites are: Haridwar on the Ganges River in Uttarakhand, Ujjain on the Shipra in Madhya Pradesh, Nashik on the Godavari in Maharashtra, and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh where the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers converge. Each site’s celebration is based on a distinct set of astronomical positions of the Sun, the Moon, and Jupiter, the holiest time occurring at the exact moment when these positions are fully occupied.
–Types of Kumbh Melas
The Kumbh Melas, each lasting several weeks, are observed at various times and locations according to the Hindu tradition. These gatherings hold great spiritual significance and attract millions of devotees from across the world. The frequency of the melas varies, some occurring annually and the Maha Kumbh Mela (“Great Kumbh Festival”) taking place every 144 years in Prayagraj.
The girl in picture selling garlands is just one of the many props that are put on show on the Kumbh:
Tradition ascribes the Kumbh Mela’s origin to the 8th-century philosopher Shankara, who instituted regular gatherings of learned ascetics for discussion and debate. The founding myth of the Kumbh Mela attributed to the Puranas (collections of myth and legend)recounts how the gods and demons fought over the pot (kumbha) of amrit, the elixir of immortality produced by their joint churning of the milky ocean. This churning of the ocean is widely known as the Samudra Manthana or Sagara Manthana.
-To prevent the demons from winning the elixir, enchantress Mohini, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, seized the pot and carried it to heaven. As she did so, drops of the elixir fell on the Kumbh Mela’s four earthly sites (Haridwar, Nashik, Prayagraj, and Ujjain). At the climactic moment of each mela, it is believed that the rivers at those holy sites transform into vessels of that primordial nectar of immortality that conveys benefits to pilgrims.
-Another mention of the Kumbh Mela can be found in the accounts of renowned Chinese traveler Xuanzang, who documented the magnificence of the Kumbh Mela during his visit to India during 629–645 ce. His writings highlight King Harsha’s generous acts at the sacred confluence of rivers, where the king bestowed gifts and donations upon scholars and ascetics. King Harsha was also noted for organizing a grand quinquennial gathering at the holy confluence in Prayag (modern Prayagraj), during which he donated all his possessions.
The term kumbh comes from the Sanskrit word kumbha, or “pitcher,” but it is also the Sanskrit name for Aquarius, the sign of the zodiac in which Jupiter resides during the Haridwar mela.
Attendees at the Kumbh Mela come from all sections of Hindu religious life, including sadhus (holy men), some of whom remain naked year-round or practice the most severe physical discipline; hermits, who leave their isolation only for these pilgrimages; and even silk-clad teachers using the latest technology. The religious organizations represented are as varied as social welfare societies and political lobbyists. Vast crowds of disciples, friends, and spectators join the individual ascetics and organizations. The holiest spot at the Kumbh Mela is claimed by the militant ascetic orders known as naga sadhus, whose members formerly made their livings as mercenary soldiers and traders. Although the Indian government now enforces an established bathing order, history records bloody disputes between groups vying for precedence.
–Akhara
The term akhara is derived from the Hindi word for a wrestling arena and reflects the focus on both spiritual growth and physical discipline. Historically, akharas were centers of learning and defense, safeguarding Hinduism during societal changes and invasions. They protected sacred sites and provided structure for ascetics renouncing worldly life.
–Peshwai procession
The commencement of the Kumbh Mela is marked by the Peshwai procession, a ceremonial entry of the akharas (traditional Hindu monastic organizations that blend spiritual and martial disciplines) into the festival grounds. Riding on elephants, horses, and chariots, adorned with traditional regalia, the saints and seers proceed through the streets, blessing onlookers. Rooted in ancient traditions, akharas preserve religious practices, philosophies, and physical training.
The evening arti is a devotional ritual that involves the offering of light to the deities by waving lit oil lamps, accompanied by hymns and chants. Performed on the riverbanks during the melas, the arti creates a spiritually charged atmosphere and exhibits the devotees’ veneration of the sacred rivers.
Snan (bath)
Devotees from all over the world travel to the sites of the mela to take a bath (snan, or snanam) in the holy rivers. The act of bathing is believed to cleanse the soul of all the impurities and sins and help attain moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death). At the heart of the Kumbh Mela lies the Shahi Snan (Royal Bath), considered the pinnacle of the festival’s rituals. During this ceremony, the akharas lead grand processions to the riverbanks. The naga sadhus, recognizable by their ash-covered bodies and renunciation of clothing, stand out strikingly, especially given their typically reclusive lifestyle. Their presence creates a remarkable spectacle amid the throngs of Hindu devotees. Their dip sets a sanctified precedent for millions of pilgrims who follow.
–Yajnas (fire ceremonies)
Yajnas are sacred fire rituals conducted by priests and spiritual leaders. Offerings such as ghee, grains, and herbs are poured into the consecrated fire amidst the chanting of mantras from the sacred Vedic texts. These ceremonies aim to purify the environment, seek divine favor, and to maintain the natural order of nature.
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As dusk descends on the most auspicious day of the festival, the ritual of deep daan (lamp offering) illuminates the riverbanks. Devotees light earthen lamps and set them afloat on the waters; this symbolizes the dispelling of darkness and ignorance while inviting divine blessings and inner enlightenment.
The festival draws millions of pilgrims, and inevitably a large number of people become lost. The melas now run lost-and-found camps to aid those who have become separated from their companions. Operated by volunteers, these camps serve as a sanctuary for those who find themselves disoriented, offering not just logistical help but also emotional support. The scenes at these camps are a poignant mix of anxiety and hope. Some centers use modern methods such as computerized records and face recognition technology to manage the influx of missing persons. Some camps dedicated to women and children ensure the safety of the youngest and most vulnerable attendees.
The girl in the picture may not be the only one selling garlands! There are many like her who sell unique things so that one can keep them as a memoir at their homes! A reminiscence of the fact that they too attended the Maha Kumbh!
Author
The Kashmir Dialogues
Sheikh Sameer
Good