Nearly 15 million Hindus took a holy dip in freezing waters on Monday, the first day of India’s Maha Kumbh festival, surpassing expectations by six times. The festival, held every 12 years, attracts over 400 million visitors to Prayagraj in northern Uttar Pradesh.
The event is a celebration of Hindu faith and harmony, with devotees marching in praise of Lord Shiva and Mother Ganga. Police officers and surveillance cameras equipped with artificial intelligence are on duty to manage the crowds.
The festival has a rich tradition dating back to Hindu mythology, where the god Vishnu wrested away a golden pitcher from demons, resulting in four drops of nectar falling to earth. This cycle repeats every three years, but the Maha Kumbh holds more significance due to its rarity and auspicious timing.
Authorities are testing crowd management skills, with a temporary city built along river banks to accommodate over 400 million visitors. Indian Railways has added extra trains to transport festival-goers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the festival a celebration of India’s spiritual heritage and faith, which aligns with his Hindu nationalist party’s efforts to reclaim and glorify the country’s religious symbols.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/india/tens-thousands-take-holy-dip-india-maha-kumbh-festival-begins-2025-01-13