The upcoming Kumbh Mela, which will commence from January 13th to February 26th, 2025, is the largest Hindu festival held once in 12 years. During the Kumbh Mela, millions of pilgrims bathe in the sacred rivers Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati at their confluence, believing it would cleanse them of their sins and liberate them from the cycle of birth and death. The festival is also a time for spiritual seekers, ascetics, and saints to gather and engage in religious practices and rituals. If you are also visiting Kumbh Mela this year, then you should know some surprising facts about this huge Hindu festival.
Surprising facts about the Maha Kumbh Mela of PrayagrajEvery three years, the Kumbh Mela switches between four different locations: Haridwar (river Ganga), Prayagraj (Triveni Sangam of Yamuna, Ganga, and Saraswati), Ujjain (river Shipra), and Nasik (river Godavari). After 12 years, the Mela returns to each area.
Prayagraj, formerly known as Allahabad, is one of India's oldest cities with a rich Vedic history. It is believed that Lord Brahma performed the first yajna here, enhancing its significance as a pilgrimage site.
sim slotsAccording to Hindu mythology, the festival commemorates the time when the gods and demons fought over a pot of nectar that could bestow immortality. Four drops of the nectar fell on earth at the four locations where the Kumbh Mela is now held. It is believed that bathing in the sacred rivers at these locations during the festival will wash away one's sins and help one attain moksha, or liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
More than two millennia have passed since the Kumbh Mela began. The first written reference was in the accounts of the Chinese traveler Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) during King Harshavardhana's reign.
The Kumbh Mela takes place on the days when the waters of these sacred rivers are fabled to transform into nectar. The exact dates are calculated by combining Jupiter, the Sun, and the Moon's zodiac locations.
You will witness the millions of devotees thronging to the river to attain salvation. The celebration draws holy men from many Hindu sects, such as Nagas, who don't wear clothes; Kalpwasis, who bathe three times a day; and Urdhwavahurs, who observe strict austerity. In 2019, 150 million people attended the Kumbh making it the largest religious meeting in the world. The Kumbh Mela in Allahabad in 2013 had a record attendance of almost 10 crore people.
Central to the festival is the sacred bathing rituals (known as Snan), believed to cleanse sins and grant spiritual renewal. Other activities too are included which are yagnas (fire offerings), cultural performances, and an educational outreach program.
The Kumbh Mela, a massive Hindu pilgrimage and festival, was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2017. This recognition highlights the festival's significance as a unique and invaluable cultural expression, showcasing India's rich spiritual traditions and fostering unity among diverse communities.
Managing millions of people may sound like a logistical nightmare, but the Kumbh Mela officials use cutting-edge technology, including drones, CCTV cameras, and AI-powered crowd management systems, to assure safety and order.
Millions of pilgrims from all over the world converge on the site, leading to a surge in demand for accommodation, food, transportation, and other services. This influx of people creates a temporary economic boom, benefiting local businesses, artisans, and laborers. The Kumbh Mela also attracts tourists and investors, leading to long-term economic benefits for the region.
A massive temporary city is constructed for the festival, complete with thousands of tents, shops, and facilities to accommodate the influx of pilgrims.
The practice of attending Kumbh Mela is considered a lifelong aspiration for many Hindus, often passed down through generations as a family tradition
In the upcoming Kumbha Mela in 2025, the Uttar Pradesh government announced a comprehensive seven-tier security plan in which the overall police deployment will include 22,953 offices assigned to the fairgrounds, 7,771 for GPR, 6,887 stationed in Prayagraj, and an additional contingent for crowd control and security purpose.
A drone show above the holy city's night skies will be a major attraction. According to management, a fleet of 2,000 drones will narrate the legendary tales of 'Prayag Mahatmyam' and 'Samudra Manthan', creating a magical evening spectacle over the Sangam Nose. The drone display would also represent the emergence of 'Amrit Kalash' (nectar pot), producing a magical visual narrative in the evening sky. The event will emphasize Prayagraj's religious and spiritual significance, providing pilgrims and residents with a one-of-a-kind experience, according to the announcement.
The 45-day event, which is expected to draw more than 40 crore people from around the world, will highlight India's rich cultural legacy and spiritual traditions.
In preparation for the upcoming Mahakumbh Mela, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) West Zone has established a special 'Bharat Gaurav train' service from Pune to Prayagraj. This special train, operated under the package name 'Mahakumbh Gram IRCTC Tent City at Prayagraj,' would run from January 15 to February 23, assuring a seamless travel experience for pilgrims attending the sacred occasion.
After a goalless first quarter, Korea struck just 36 seconds into the second quarter with Jungjun Lee finding the net due to a mistake from Pakistan goalkeeper Abdullah Ishtiyaq Khan. The goal remained the difference between the two teams till the half-time.
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