Kumbh Mela - Religion, Spirituality, Tourism and Revenue!

Kumh Mela  (adventures-india.com)

The other day I was talking to a group of youngsters (college students), the conversation turned to the Kumbh Mela, in due course. I asked them about the mass human gathering  that brings people together from all religions, caste and creed. It is important not only from the spiritual or religious point of view but also in terms of tourism and revenue that it brings to the home state. The reason for me asking the question was the second one of course! I had been following a parlicular TV channel that shows a 30 minutes programme on the Maha Kumbh at Allahabad this year. I watched a couple of episodes and it got me interested and curious to know more about it that I don't miss to catch the early morning segment. I am amazed at the lives and lifestyles of the sadhus particularly the Naga Sadhus. With this in the background I posed the question to the youngsters. I was surprised to know that not many knew what I was talking about. Yes of course they knew the Kumbh Mela as portrayed in the Hindi movies, it was a massive gathering of people where a family member would get lost in the crowd. The youngsters didn't really know anything much beyond. I am sure they learnt in their schools but somehow it isn't retained, the newspapers have write ups almost everyday and theres so much  information about the festival on the internet,  particularly the photographs, almost all top photo journalists from across the globe are there to cover the event. The pictures are a treasure in itself. The youngsters inspire me to write this post. This year the Maha Kumbh at Prayag, Allahabad is from 14th January to 10th March 2013 (Makar Sankranti to Shiv Ratri). The lives of the sadhus fascinate me and arouse curiosity to take a peek. Finally the post comes out of the draft stage where it remained for almost a fortnight.

Kumbh means pitcher or pot. Mela in hindi is festival or fair. So, the Kumbh Mela is the festival of the pot. It specifically relates to the pot of nectar in Hindu mythology.Legend has it that the gods once lost their strength. In order to regain it, they agreed with the demons to churn the primordial ocean of milk for 'Amrit' (the nectar of immortality). This was to be shared equally between them. However, a fight broke out, which went on for 12 human years. During the battle, the celestial bird, Garuda, flew away with the Kumbh that held the nectar. Drops of nectar are believed to have fallen in the places that the Kumbh Mela is now held Prayag (Allahabad), Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. Theres Maha Kumbh once in 12 years and the Ardh Kumb is held once in 6 years.

The various saint groups that visit the Kumbh are:
The Naga Sadhus, are identified by their ash smeared naked bodies and hair in deadlocks.
Urdhwavahurs, believe in putting the body through severe austerities.
Parivajakas, have taken a vow of silence and go about tinkling little bells to get people out of their way.
Shirshasins stand all 24 hours and meditate for hours standing on their heads.

Kalpvasis are people who spend the entire month of Kumbh on the banks of Ganges, meditating and  performing other religious rituals. They are supposed to have only one meal during the day. Even families perform this.

To know more about the mela you can follow the link. This is the official website of the Allahabad Kumbh Mela: http://kumbhmelaallahabad.gov.in/english/index.html

Some facts that I heard about the lives of the Naga Sadhus, 

• They were created as the Hindu army by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century BC.
• They are the devotees of Lord Shiva (Shree Digambars and Digambars)
• Most of them live in the caves in the Himalayas or the Akharas across different parts of the country.
• Most of the Akharas are owned by the Digambars but there are also Akharas of the Sikhs, Budhist monks and Sufi saints.
• The Sadhus generally live in the Akharas and come to civilization only for the Kumbh melas that are held alternatively at Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain
• People who renounce the world and join the Akhara get their degree or certificate of being a Naga Sadhu after a rigorous penance of at least 8- 10 years. Religious duties as well as yoga and martial arts, weapons are a part of the training.
• Among the sadhus are people who were once in the civil services, defence, artists, educationists, people who worked in the government or the private sector.
• To be inducted into the Akhara, the individual needs to give up all worldly pleasures, relations, kinship etc.
• They adorn ash all over bodies, the ash from the holy fire that they light They don't shave and wear their hear in deadlocks.
• In the Hindu culture a married woman does 'solah sringar' ( 16 adornments) but a Naga Sadhu does 'Satrah Sringar' (17 adornments) during the Kumbh Mela festivities.
• The Sadhus get to do the Shahi snaan (The Royal dip), the first bath of the day, it may begin as early as 3 am.
• They carry out impressive processions during the Kumbh  Mela, showcasing their weapons as well.

This once is 12 years event is certainly an event to behold not only from the religious or spiritual point of view but also from the revenue that it is likely to generate.
According to the Business Standard, the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Allahabad is projected to generate about Rs 12,000 crore of revenues and create over 6 lakh job opportunities. Airlines, hotels and tour operators are likely to witness a boom period in their economic activities due to the mela and contribute Rs 12,000 crore revenues to the state coffers in Uttar Pradesh. The report has projected that new employment opportunities would be created in airlines, airports, hotels, tour operators,infrasturctual development, medical and  Eco-tourism. The unorganised sectors would also gain.

Tourist arrival to the extent of 250 million, compared to 30 million in 2001, is expected to congregate for the holy dip. Besides, about a million foreign tourists are expected to visit India for site seeing, religious and Eco-tourism.

Kumbh Mela is one of the largest human congregations on earth, and a visit to the Kumbh is in the bucket list for sure! 

PS

I'll keep with my promise of writing about Abhilash Tomy in my posts till he is back from his historic voyage.

(Abhilash Tomy is attempting to be the first Indian on a solo non stop unassisted circumnavigation of the globe)

Kumbh Mela is a festival of the pitcher where the devotees take a dip in the Holy waters of the river Ganges and the Maha Kumb is considered to be very auspicious, here's an Aquarian  who is set out to be the first Indian to circumnavigate the world... crossing all its Oceans. 

He has his birthday this month (February), in fact in the coming week, this is what the astrologists say about the Zodiac sign, Aquarius is symbolized by the Water Bearer. In much the same way that the Water Bearer brings that precious liquid as a gift, Aquarians shower the world with their thoughts and new ideas. Luckily for Aquarians (and the rest of us), they are at a near-genius level, so their minds churn out some amazing things. Their thought process is also inventive and original. While Aquarians are happy to bestow these ideas as a gift with no strings attached, they are much happier when the rest of the world agrees with them. 

Here too, are a lot of people in 'agreement' can see that from his fan following.

 To know more about Lt. Cdr Tomy and his boat the Mhadei, follow the link below.

Check: www.sagarparikrama2.blogspot.com

            www.Facebook.com/www.mhadei.co.in

Pictures have been taken from google, if anyone has a problem with their use, they'd be promptly removed.