The six-week festival occurs every 12 years. It draws around 400 million pilgrims. On the first day, 16 million people bathed. Over 20 million were expected the next day. A major highlight is the Naga sadhus’ ceremonial dip at dawn. These ash-covered holy men lead the ritual.
Authorities also built a temporary city spanning 4,000 hectares. It includes 160,000 tents, 150,000 toilets, and 30 floating bridges. Some facilities, like water and sanitation, remained unfinished at the start.
Legends say nectar spilled during a battle between gods and demons. Drops of this nectar fell in four cities, including Prayagraj. Key bathing dates follow astrological alignments. These include January 14 (Makar Sankranti), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri).
Visitors from around the world also joined the festival. A group from Argentina shared their experiences. One visitor said, “I felt the pull of the Ganges and came to connect.”
Despite challenges, hINDU authorities also manage the massive gathering. The festival costs ₹70 billion ($812 million). It generates an estimated ₹250 billion ($2.9 billion) for the region. The Kumbh Mela remains a symbol of faith, tradition, and cultural unity. (BBC)
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