Mahakumbh 2025 : Not just a religious gathering but also a confluence of cultures

Shijagurumayum Sharat Sharma *

Mahakumbh 2025 :: Pix - TSE

Having commenced on January 13 (205), this year's Mahakumbh has been doing the rounds in National media channels and social media platforms since its beginning.

Mahakumbh being the largest congregation of Hindus, has left a lasting impression of being a religious subject. But when I had the privilege to witness and experience the grandeur of the event first hand, my perspective grew larger as it turned out to be not just a religious event but also a confluence of cultures from the length and breadth of the country.

I was luckily a part of the 14-member journalist team from 7 North East States which embarked on a three day tour to Prayagraj courtesy of the Press information Bureau (PIB) and the Uttar Pradesh Government. Through this article I want to share the glimpses of my visit to one of the largest spiritual gatherings on earth to our esteemed readers and those who are planning to visit this religious extravaganza in Uttar Pradesh.

Commencement of the tour

Me and my compatriot S Bigyan of The People's Chronicle along with Moirangthem Rustam, Assistant Director of Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) Imphal, gathered at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport on January 20 afternoon and headed to New Delhi via a connecting flight from Kolkata.

All the journalists had a night stay at Hotel Elevate in Delhi's Mahipalpur before leaving for Prayagraj the next afternoon which actually marked the beginning of our journey. Upon our arrival, we were accorded a warm reception by a PIB team led by Director of PIB Lucknow, Manoj Kumar Verma.

Manoj Kumar Verma also arranged a short but noteworthy meeting with the Director of Prayagraj Airport, Mukesh Chandra Upadhyay who also briefed us on the history and the landmark achievements the airport has scripted recently in view of the Mahakumbh 2025. Sharing the details of the record number of visitors at the airport welcomed recently, he also highlighted the extension and upgra-dation work being taken up at the airport. He also said that the airport welcomed an international aircraft from Bhutan for the first time in 93 years after the last international flight from the airport departed in 1932 for London.

Later in the evening, we reached tent city at Prayagraj's Sector 25 zipping through the busy roads of Prayagraj. The team led by PIB officials were given accommodation at a well secured and cosy tent cottage run by Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation.

We also encountered a big replica of "Kalash/ pot" adjacent to the entry point of the well lit and decorated tent facility that hosted us for two nights. Notably Kalash is linked with the container of Amrit/ divine nectar which emerged during the "Samudra Manthan" (churning of the ocean of milk) between gods and demons according to Hindu mythology.

It is believed that four drops of this divine nectar fell to Earth in the ensuing battle for control of the Amrit and the places where the drops fell are Prayagraj (Triveni Sangam: confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers), Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. As such Kumbh festival is held every 12 years at one of the four sacred places.

Visit to Prayagraj's Sector 20 and Sector 7

After having a refreshing breakfast at the tent cottage, the team of journalists kick-started the day 2 routine by visiting the Akhara area set up along the bank of Ganga river in Prayagraj's Sector 20. The team was led by Director of PIB Lucknow, Manoj Kumar Verma who also instructed us to make the most of the visit and regroup at the parking area when we are done.

The area is a unique and integral part of the festival and serves as a temporary abode for various monastic orders (Akharas), each with its distinct lineage, practices, and traditions. I was struck by the colourful atmosphere amidst sermons and devotional songs from different akharas. We also witnessed tents and makeshift structures, adorned with colourful flags and banners, that were housing the ascetics and their followers.

The most interesting aspect of the visit was the opportunity to observe the ascetics. I saw many Sadhus, some adorned in saffron robes, others stark naked (Naga Sadhus), their bodies smeared with ash. Some of our media friends from the neighbouring North East States also interviewed some Sadhus who were sheltering in makeshift structures along the alleys of the area that can be called a mini city.

On being asked about Naga Sadhu, one calm Sadhu who himself was also naked said that they are the followers of the Adi Guru Shankaracharya. They are the protector of Sanatan Dharma (Hinduism), he said. Asceticism and devotion is their job and they have transcended common emotions like sadness and jealousy, he said.

On being asked why they are holding up at the venue, he said they are considered symbols of Lord Shiva's power and renunciation and thus devotees who came to visit the festival hardly leave without visiting and paying respect to them. Being revered highly for their divinity, they also bestow boons to them, he said.

The Sadhu also highlighted the significance of the festival and holy dip at Triveni Sangam. Taking a holy dip or bath at Prayagraj during the festival holds immense spiritual significance for Hindus, he said. Triveni Sangam (confluence point) is considered exceptionally sacred, and bathing there is believed to wash away sins and purify the soul. Taking a dip or bath particularly during the 45 day event is believed to be beneficial for spiritual growth and liberation, he said.

Me and my compatriot Bigyan also roamed around and took our time to witness the movement of thousands of devotees to and fro on tens of pontoon bridges built across Ganga river to enhance the mobility and saw thousands of devotees taking dip in the pious river on the other bank.

After regrouping at the previous point, the journalists then set out for Sector 7 where one of the major attractions of the festival - Kalagram is being set up to add further aesthetic to the magnificent spectacle of faith and devotion and show us that this Mahakumbh is not just a religious congregation.

The commitment of the Ministry of Culture, Uttar Pradesh Government and other Central agencies to showcasing the Nation’s timeless traditions through crafts, cuisine, and cultural performances was at the fore at Kalagram.

We were caught by surprise when we entered the magnificent makeshift gate and the work of artistry inside the premises of Kalagram. Since most of us were already exhausted, we headed straight to a corner dedicated to food stalls offering culinary delights from different regions of the country. Although we were missing our local cuisines, we tried South Indian vegetable biryani and sambhar to re-energize ourselves for the rest of the day.

Afternoon finishing the quick meal, we were greeted by Amrish Trivedi, an official of the Ministry of Culture who also guided us to a zone known as "immersive zone" where we had the 5D theatrical experience of visuals showing the sacred descent of Ganga from heaven to earth.

Later, he took us to the North East Zone Cultural Centre where the craft products from across the North East States were put on sale. It is one of the seven zonal centres set up in the premises of Kalagram. We spent our time there talking to our fellow Northeasterners including Dovi Vashum from Ukhrul representing Manipur and vending hand woven shawls, caps and other items including wooden belt and hair pins.

Like other fellow vendors, the State representative maintained that the average sale sticks around Rs 3 thousand per day. His trip to Prayagraj was a good experience even as the sale was not good enough, he said while adding that he will be there for a total of 15 days before another batch of vendors from Manipur replaces him.

We then moved to an exhibition zone where photos of artefacts related to Mahakumbh, Sadhus etc, were displayed. And adjacent to the zone was a massive open air theatre with a well decorated stage where artistes from across the country produce captivating cultural performances in front of both the domestic and foreign visitors.

In fact, Kalagram was a complete cultural experience for me and I see it as a powerful symbol of India's cultural unity. It is a must-visit destination for anyone attending the Mahakumbh this time.

Later in the day, we visited Uttar Pradesh Darsan Mandapam, one of the twelve State Pavilions which was not so far from the Kalagram venue. The venue showcases host State's diverse religious and cultural offerings through cultural programmes, points depicting various tourism circuits and a collection of replicas of important Mandirs under one roof.

Visit to the Triveni Sangam

Our hectic tour officially came to an end on the third day with most of the visiting scribes and conducting PIB officials taking a dip at the sacred Triveni Sangam. A new PIB official, Dileep Kumar Shukla visited us at the tent cottage at around 11 am and led us to Arail Ghat along the Yamuna river. Even as it was a normal day, lakhs of devotees filled the long stretched river bank to either take a dip nearby or waiting to visit the Sangam which was a few kilometres away from the bank.

Thanks to the PIB team, the scribes headed to the Sangam on two boats off a low crowded VIP ferry point to witness the unending movements of boats before finally taking dip at the Sangam among thousands of pilgrims. Some of us also collected water and soil from the Sangam since it is believed to be pious and has cleansing effects.

The PIB team then saw off us at Prayagraj airport from where we headed to Delhi before returning to our respective States.

Though short, the tour was a deeply enriching experience. The tour not only helped us to explore the religious and cultural extravaganza but it also acted as a platform for journalists to get to know each other and collaborate with them. I would also like to personally thank Moirangthem Rustam and Gopajit Das who played conducting officials and remained with us all along the trip and ensured journalists face no difficulty.

With a heavy heart, I would also like to extend my sympathy to the families who lost their loved ones during a stampede on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya at Prayagraj and pray no similar incident occurs during the festival that will conclude on February 26.