Kumbh Mela Calling……
Contributed By - Arvind Kulkarni
This year Ardh Kumbh Mela is between January 14 to March 4th at Prayagraj (formerly known as Allahabad). Six years from now, in 2025 will be the full Kumbh Mela. According to Puranas, when Lord Vishnu was taking Kumbh heavenwards, a few drops of the precious nectar fell on the four sacred sites; Kumbha Melas are observed at these four places: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. Each site’s celebration is based on a distinct set of astrological positions of the Sun, the Moon, and the Jupiter. Prayagraj is the meeting place for three of the sacred rivers namely the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati.
We were very blessed to visit Prayagraj this year during Ardh Kumha Mela period. The Indigo flight left Bengaluru at 1:30 in the afternoon and reached Prayagraj at 4:10. Prayagraj now has a new airport and construction in and around the airport is still going on.
Prayagraj was very very cold especially during the night times. We wanted to see the Mela at night time and hence went in the car. The first thing we noticed is the presence of security on the road, at every corner, and at all the bust stops. At one point when we crossed the bridge we were asked not to proceed further and were given short time to take selfies. We did not consider this as an inconvenience at all, rather admired for enforcement of the rules. As the night progressed the smoke emanating from the fire places inside the tents mixed with the cold breeze gave a solace feeling.
We learnt that both State and Central government had planned lot of logistics in advance and executed them successfully this year. The widened roads and repaired streets have helped millions of people visiting in a short interval of time. Indian railways running extra trains during this period is helping the public a lot. The religious organizations are required to register before setting up the tents. One gets to see traditional dances, plays based on mythical stories, melodious bhajans throughout the night. The scene of Sadhus, Pilgrims, Saints, and Sadvis is very common where ever you go in Prayagraj.
The next day our plan was to take dip at the triveni. Sangam. We left home late waiting for sun to come up. Government has made elaborate arrangements for the safety of pilgrims and to keep the water clean. There is a place where pilgrims can go in boat to take the holy dip. Lot of sand is put to decrease the depth of water for people to bathe. There are nets installed to prevent people from drowning. As you are sailing in the water the helmsman will take you on a longer journey to show you both Ganga and Yamuna rivers and how to identify them with the distinct color of the water. These boats are given strict route to take. Everyone in the boat need to wear life jacket. Police boats roaming around keeping a vigil on the boats is a common scene. It was funny to see the shops on the boats selling the food to feed the birds. Government has created changing rooms for women after bathing in the holy Ganges. Devotees can also perform pooja on the boats. We were pleasantly surprised to notice that the boats are required to follow one-way traffic to avoid unnecessary collisions. Overall it was such a wonderful, blissful, once in a lifetime experience.
The visit to Kumbh Mela is incomplete until you take blessings from sleeping Hanumanji; He is known as Bade Hanuman. He is magnificent. We also visited other temples in the city. Another place to visit is Anand Bhavan/Swaraj Bhavan (birth place of Indira Gandhi). Street foods are famous in Prayagraj like kachori, Morabba, Jalebi, and Samosa. We even had nice chai on the street.
The Kumbh Mela no doubt is an instrument for spirituality, collective act of faith, astrology, ritualistic traditions, and a religious pilgrimage for one and all. Divya Kumbh, Bhavya Kumbh!