Tens of thousands of Hindus gathered in Prayagraj on Monday to begin the Maha Kumbh Mela, a six-week festival attracting over 400 million visitors. Devotees immerse in the sacred rivers seeking absolution during the religious event held every 12 years.
Tens of thousands of Hindus braved freezing waters on Monday at the confluence of sacred rivers in Prayagraj, India, marking the start of the six-week Maha Kumbh Mela festival. This religious event, held once every 12 years, is expected to draw over 400 million visitors from around the world, making it the largest human gathering on the planet.
With as many as 40,000 police officers providing security and surveillance cameras equipped with artificial intelligence to monitor crowds, the authorities are preparing for an influx of visitors. The festival kicked off with the first ritual dip, attracting over 2.5 million people, followed by a "royal bath" reserved for ascetics on Tuesday. Participants believe these baths cleanse them of sins and offer salvation from the cycle of life and death.
Among the crowds, ascetic Hazari Lala Mishra expressed the deep significance of the event, saying it was a festival for hermits and monks. "We wait for it desperately," he added. Many attendees, like Priyanka Rajput, who visited with her spiritual mother, found the experience both exciting and overwhelming.
The origins of the Kumbh Mela trace back to Hindu mythology, where four drops of the nectar of immortality fell to Earth during a celestial battle, marking the festival's locations in Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. The Maha Kumbh, held once every 12 years, is particularly auspicious, drawing the largest crowds.
To manage the massive influx of people, authorities have set up a temporary city along the riverbanks, featuring 150,000 tents, 3,000 kitchens, and 145,000 restrooms. Indian Railways has also increased train services to accommodate festivalgoers. With the festival representing both a religious and cultural celebration, it offers a test in crowd management for the Indian government, which is working to balance logistical efforts with maintaining the event's sacred significance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose Hindu nationalist party governs Uttar Pradesh, praised the Kumbh Mela for embodying India’s spiritual heritage, emphasizing the festival’s importance in promoting faith and harmony.
The United States government has urged migrants living under temporary protected status (TPS) to seek permanent residency or prepare to return to thei...
Britain will abandon plans to replace its ageing fleet of destroyers with a next-generation warship and instead procure at least six new “Common Com...
The death toll in the twin earthquakes which rocked Venezuela earlier this week has risen to 1,450, top lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez said on Saturday. Ano...
Pakistan’s security forces have killed 29 militants in an operation along the country’s border with Afghanistan, Information Minister Attaullah Ta...
Thousands of people gathered in the central Serbian city of Kraljevo on Sunday, maintaining pressure on President Aleksandar Vučić a day after he a...
India and the U.S. are close to finalising a long-awaited trade agreement, Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday after the latest round of negotiations with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks in New Delhi on the sidelines of the BRICS security advisers’ meeting, in the latest sign of gradual efforts to stabilise ties after years of border tensions.
At least 12 students have died after a fire broke out in a building in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, authorities said. Most of the victims were teenagers attending an animation centre in the building when the blaze began.
A territory-wide shutdown has brought daily life in Pakistan-administered Kashmir to a standstill following the deadliest unrest in years, which has left at least 24 people dead over nearly two weeks of protests.
France said on Saturday it was considering taking reciprocal measures after Burkina Faso broke off diplomatic relations.
Japan remained on high alert Saturday as Typhoon Mekkhala approached the eastern coast after Typhoon Higos weakened into a tropical depression. Authorities warned of continued heavy rain, flooding, and landslides, according to media reports.
A tanker reported being struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, Britain's maritime security agency said, after the United States and Iran each launched strikes in the worst escalation since they signed their interim peace deal.
Germany and Poland are bracing for sweltering conditions as a deadly heatwave that has gripped Western Europe moves east, with temperatures expected to approach 40°C over the weekend.
Iran had a stoppage-time goal disallowed as they drew 1-1 with Egypt in their final Group G match at Seattle Stadium on Friday.
The United States government has urged migrants living under temporary protected status (TPS) to seek permanent residency or prepare to return to their home countries, signalling a tougher approach to immigration policy.
Britain will abandon plans to replace its ageing fleet of destroyers with a next-generation warship and instead procure at least six new “Common Combat Vessels”, the Ministry of Defence has announced.
The death toll in the twin earthquakes which rocked Venezuela earlier this week has risen to 1,450, top lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez said on Saturday. Another 3,200 people were injured and 3,100 left homeless by the disaster, he added on state television.
Pakistan’s security forces have killed 29 militants in an operation along the country’s border with Afghanistan, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said.
Thousands of people gathered in the central Serbian city of Kraljevo on Sunday, maintaining pressure on President Aleksandar Vučić a day after he announced plans to step down within weeks and call early elections.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment