Explanation - Mahakumbh Mela is a sacred pilgrimage that is celebrated four
times over the course of 12 years. Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest peaceful
gathering, draws millions of pilgrims who bathe in sacred rivers seeking to purify
themselves from sins and attain spiritual liberation.
This sacred event rotates between four locations in India — Haridwar, Ujjain,
Nashik, and Prayagraj — each situated by a holy river, from the Ganges to the
Shipra, the Godavari, and the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the
mythical Sarasvati in Prayagraj.
Historical background —
• The roots of the Kumbh Mela stretch back thousands of years, finding early
references during the Maurya and Gupta periods (4th century BCE to 6th
century CE).
• During the medieval period, the Kumbh Mela received patronage from various
royal dynasties, including the Chola and Vijayanagar empires in the south,
and the Delhi Sultanate and Mughals in the north.
• Even Mughal emperors such as Akbar are noted to have participated in the
celebrations, illustrating a spirit of religious tolerance.
• British administrators observed and documented the festival, intrigued by its
massive scale and the diverse congregations it drew. Figures such as British
colonial administrator James Prinsep chronicled the Kumbh Mela in the 19th
century, detailing its ritualistic practices, the vast congregations, and the
socio-religious dynamics at play.
• Post-independence, the Maha Kumbh Mela gained even greater significance,
symbolizing national unity and India’s rich cultural heritage. Recognised by
UNESCO in 2017 as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, the Kumbh
Mela stands as a testament to the survival and evolution of ancient traditions
in an era of modernisation.
Explanation - Mahakumbh Mela is a sacred pilgrimage that is celebrated four
times over the course of 12 years. Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest peaceful
gathering, draws millions of pilgrims who bathe in sacred rivers seeking to purify
themselves from sins and attain spiritual liberation.
This sacred event rotates between four locations in India — Haridwar, Ujjain,
Nashik, and Prayagraj — each situated by a holy river, from the Ganges to the
Shipra, the Godavari, and the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the
mythical Sarasvati in Prayagraj.
Historical background —
• The roots of the Kumbh Mela stretch back thousands of years, finding early
references during the Maurya and Gupta periods (4th century BCE to 6th
century CE).
• During the medieval period, the Kumbh Mela received patronage from various
royal dynasties, including the Chola and Vijayanagar empires in the south,
and the Delhi Sultanate and Mughals in the north.
• Even Mughal emperors such as Akbar are noted to have participated in the
celebrations, illustrating a spirit of religious tolerance.
• British administrators observed and documented the festival, intrigued by its
massive scale and the diverse congregations it drew. Figures such as British
colonial administrator James Prinsep chronicled the Kumbh Mela in the 19th
century, detailing its ritualistic practices, the vast congregations, and the
socio-religious dynamics at play.
• Post-independence, the Maha Kumbh Mela gained even greater significance,
symbolizing national unity and India’s rich cultural heritage. Recognised by
UNESCO in 2017 as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, the Kumbh
Mela stands as a testament to the survival and evolution of ancient traditions
in an era of modernisation.
