Maha Kumbh Mela: World's Largest Spiritual Gathering Kicks Off

The Maha Kumbh Mela begins in India, attracting over 400 million people to Prayagraj for a six-week sacred Hindu festival. Participants believe bathing in the confluence of three rivers absolves sins and grants salvation. The event tests India’s crowd management with extensive facilities and security measures.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, one of Hinduism's most significant religious festivals, commenced in India this week. Set in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, it's expected to draw over 400 million attendees over six weeks, marking the largest convergence of people globally.

This event, steeped in mythology, involves a sacred ritual of taking a ceremonial dip at the confluence of three rivers—the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. Believers hold that this act cleanses them of sins and unshackles them from the cycle of life and death. The origins trace back to a celestial struggle where the god Vishnu secured a golden pitcher from demons.

The festival presents significant logistical challenges, necessitating extensive preparations, including the transformation of 4,000 hectares into a makeshift city equipped with 150,000 tents, numerous power connections, and a robust security framework. Financially backed by the Uttar Pradesh government with a 64 billion rupee budget, the Kumbh Mela also serves as a showcase of India's cultural heritage, supported by political figures like Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of the BJP.

(With inputs from agencies.)