The world’s largest spiritual gathering of humans, which satellites have photographed from the moon, will occur in Allahabad, India, next month.
Maha Kumbh Mela takes place every 12 years at the confluence of three venerated rivers – Ganga, Yamuna, and the mystical underground waterway Saraswathi – and is said to wash away sins.
I encourage all spiritual seekers not to miss but to attend the sacred event expected to attract 400 million people and immerse themselves in the holy rivers from January 13th to February 15th.
I experienced this profound ritual at the Maha Kumbh Mela in 2013 and found it enlightening. As noted in the Guinness Book of World Records, the celebration represents the largest gathering of humanity for a shared purpose in recorded history.
What makes this event so unique?
Spiritual seekers believe bathing in the sanctified waters during the Maha Kumbh Mela can hasten their journey to nirvana.
According to Hindu beliefs, souls are reborn after death in a continuous cycle known as karma. The cycle of karma and rebirth is transcended when an individual attains liberation through righteous living and virtuous deeds, such as participating in the Maha Kumbh Mela.
The water at the confluence of three rivers is believed to wash away our past karmas.
The circumstances of one’s next life, or whether one attains nirvana, depend on the actions taken in the present life.
So, going on a pilgrimage to places of spiritual power, such as this rare convergence of three mighty rivers, can profoundly impact one’s next life and whether one can break the cycle of rebirth.
Research indicates that the Ganges River has been viewed as a site of spiritual power since ancient times, attracting visitors throughout the ages.
To experience this power, no specific ritual or belief is required, nor must one adhere to a particular religion; simply placing one’s foot on the holy soil is enough to attain spiritual illumination.
One of the festival’s highlights is the rare sight of over 200,000 monks, saints, sages, yogis, and sadhus, who journey from their remote homes in the mountains, caves, and communes of the Himalayas and across India to Allahabad for a ceremonial dip in the river.
Due to the depth of their self-sacrifice, these holy men lead lives of complete simplicity and are revered by devotees as earthly representatives of God.
They often embrace pain as a means of transcending reality and achieving spiritual enlightenment; for instance, they may sit in a circle of burning cow dung, walk on glass, sleep on beds of nails, or stand on one leg for over 30 years!
The Maha Kumbh Mela marks the only occasion for these ascetics to appear publicly from their secluded dwellings.
Its origins trace back to a Hindu creation myth involving a battle between gods and demons over a pitcher.
Witnessing the scene was unforgettable: hundreds of naked holy men, their bodies smeared with ash, their matted hair and beards flowing, rushing into the sacred Ganges River in India. Even more astonishing was the sight of over 10 million people lining the riverbanks, patiently awaiting their turn to immerse themselves in the holy waters, seeking spiritual enlightenment.
Among the many remarkable moments I encountered, one stood out: despite the sheer number of pilgrims cleansing their sins and purifying their souls, the Ganges remained surprisingly pristine.
Contrary to reports of pollution in foreign media, the water appeared clean. I even collected a bottle to taste it – it was clear and fresh, akin to piped water.
Devotees believe that adding even a tiny amount of Ganges water to regular water imbues it with the river’s sacred and healing properties.
Interestingly, water from the Ganges does not develop an odour even after being stored for days.
Another marvel: though the temperature dropped to a bone-chilling -6°C after sunset, the river water remained comfortably lukewarm.
Despite the massive crowd, the atmosphere was serene and almost otherworldly.
Witnessing the unwavering devotion of millions of young and old pilgrims from across the globe was awe-inspiring.
There was no jostling or disorder; the pilgrims disciplined themselves. Imagine 70 million people behaving courteously—it was nothing short of extraordinary.
The riverbanks were alive with a festive spirit. Pilgrims chanted mantras, sang devotional hymns like Hare Hare Ganga (Long Live the Ganges River), lit oil lamps, floated flowers on the water, or shaved their heads before their ceremonial dip.
The Naga Babas, or Naga Sadhus, were a particular highlight. They were ascetic holy men renowned for their nudity and renunciation of worldly pleasures.
This festival marks a rare occasion when these hermits, who typically dwell in remote corners of India and avoid contact with the outside world, emerge to mingle.
Surprisingly hospitable during this event, pilgrims seek out the Naga sadhus, and their spiritual aura and practices add to the festival’s mystique.
I met a naked philosopher sitting in one of the 50,000 tents lining the riverbank and greatly admired his simple life.
It might be devoid of comforts and sensual pleasures, but it is also free of materialism and all the negativity it entails.
His nakedness was the extreme expression of the idea of having no possessions. Sometimes, he seemed to fall into rather provocative poses, but the point of his nudity had nothing to do with eroticism; instead, it showed that he was beyond sexuality.
When he made eye contact with me, he invited me to sit beside him before a small fire over which he was boiling some tea with milk. In the process, he was offering darshan (blessing) to devotees coming to him. For devotees, receiving the darshan is a way of tapping into the divine energy of such spiritual leaders.
Women, forbidden to look at the holy men directly, joined the line with their heads bowed down and sought his blessing by touching his feet. However, Women experiencing bad karma are allowed to glance at the sadhus, as it is said that holy men can partially take on an individual’s karma. This is because sadhus are regarded as representatives of the gods and are highly respected.
Records show that there are over five million sadhus in India.
Kumbh Mela takes place in Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik, and Ujjain.
The first British reference to the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad occurred in 1868.
Award-winning writer Dr T. Selva is the author of the bestsellers Vasthu Sastra Guide and Secrets of Happy Living. To get a copy, WhatsApp 019-2728464. He can be reached at drtselvas@gmail.com. Facebook: Vasthu Sastra