What is the maha kumbh mela festival?

[Kavita Agrawal]

The Maha Kumbh Mela is one of the largest and most significant religious gatherings in the world. Held every 12 years, it takes place at one of the four sacred river confluences in India: Prayagraj (Allahabad), Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nasik. The festival is a time for millions of Hindu devotees to come together and take a sacred dip in the rivers, which is believed to cleanse them of sins and bring spiritual merit.

The Kumbh Mela itself is rooted in the Hindu mythological story of the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), where gods and demons fought over a pot of nectar (the "Kumbh") that contained the elixir of immortality. During the battle, some drops of nectar fell at these four river confluences, which is why these locations are considered sacred for the Mela.

The Maha Kumbh Mela is the largest of these gatherings and takes place once every 12 years at one of the four locations. The event lasts for around 1-2 months and attracts millions of pilgrims, including sadhus (holy men), spiritual seekers, and tourists from around the world. It is a massive cultural, spiritual, and social event with religious ceremonies, processions, and rituals.

In addition to the spiritual aspects, the Mela also serves as a platform for social interaction, trade, and cultural exchange.