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Kumbh
Mela - the biggest and greatest festival in the
world is held in India once every three years.
This year the planets came into a position that
was very auspicious, occurring after 144 years.
It was said to be the Maha Kumbh which began on
the 9th of January to continue for over a month.
Allahabad (Prayag), Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain
are the four cities where drops of nectar are
believed to have fallen in ancient times during
a tussle between the Gods and the demons. A dip
in the river during the month long festival is
said to cleanse the human soul of all sins and
enable escape from the cycle of rebirth and attainment
of salvation. Millions of people come together
to participate in the "great fair of the vessel
of immortality"- the Maha Kumbh. Beat
of India has video snippets that
give a flavour of this grand event.
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3 crore people are estimated to have taken a dip
at the Kumbh mela on the 24th of January, "Mauni
Amavasya"- the most auspicious day. It is believed
that a dip on that day - washes away sins of not
just one but several lifetimes. |
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There are camps of holy men which distribute free
food to thousands every day for over a month.
Another path to salvation. |
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come from all corners of the country, even the
world for this mega event. This is a group of
women from Bihar, dancing for the joy of being
there. |
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sound of music is everywhere. Some of it chaotic
blaring from loud speakers and some of it peaceful
and lovely. This is a group of sadhus or holy
men singing on the sand banks of the sacred river
Ganges, for their own pleasure. |
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ISCKON- better known as the "Hare Rama Hare Krishna"
society- has a strong presence at the Maha Kumbh.
More noticeable because a lot of their followers
are foreigners and because their style of faith
is very different from the usual. Energetic dancing
forms a daily rigorous and religious routine in
their camp. |
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Painted or dressed like Hanuman - the monkey God,
with a dagger cutting right through his arm. Among
many struggling to find a way to earn the daily
bread. |
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| Crores
have been spent by many individual religious groups
or sects in the construction of fabulous camps.
The entire area, a town in itself - comes alive
at night with lights, giving it the look of 'fairy
land'. Each tent has a different program, discourses,
religious songs, dances, dance-dramas: Ram Lilas,
Ras Lilas of all hues, shades, magnitudes and
much much more. |
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