India is hosting the world’s largest religious gathering, Maha Kumbh mela, which kicks off on Monday amidst health and environmental concerns. Over the next 45 days, an estimated 400 million Hindu pilgrims will converge on Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh.
The event is one of the most sacred pilgrimages for Hindus, celebrated once every 12 years. It’s held on the banks of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, where two rivers meet. The gathering serves as a symbolic journey of self-realisation, purification, and spiritual enlightenment.
To accommodate hundreds of thousands of people, a pop-up tent city has been set up over 10,000 acres. Temporary roads and pontoon bridges have also been laid to facilitate the event. Security measures include a 50,000-strong police force aided by AI-enabled cameras and drones for aerial surveillance.
Health activists have raised concerns about poor conditions in winter exposing people to health risks. The event has also generated environmental concerns due to pollution on land and water, including non-degradable plastics.
The Maha Kumbh mela is a kaleidoscope of people from all walks of life, with the Naga Sadhus being the centrepiece of the celebrations. These revered individuals are known for their intense spiritual practices and complete renunciation of worldly possessions.
The event finds its origins in ancient Hindu legend “Samudra Manthan” and showcases India’s government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s muscular right-wing Hindu nationalism. The gathering is expected to be a significant milestone, with an estimated $815m spent on the event.
Source: https://news.sky.com/story/maha-kumbh-mela-india-hosts-worlds-largest-religious-gathering-with-400-million-expected-13286506