Jan. 15 – The three month-long Kumbh Mela Festival began yesterday signaling the start of the biggest religious event in the world with more than 10 million people expected to make the trip to the Ganges River.
The mass Hindu ritual bathing festival is held every three years with venues shifting among four Indian cities and once every 12 years, the Maha Kumbh Mela 0r Great Kumbh Mela festival is held. It is believed that bathing during the festival will cleanse the soul and break the karmic cycle of life and rebirth.
The event is considered sacred because of the thousands of holy men and women participating. This year Haridwar in Uttarakhand will host the main gathering for the event with millions expected to attend. Despite the cold weather, Hindus from all walks of life flock to the river during the 10 auspicious bathing dates set for the festival.
The Ardh Kumbh Mela is celebrated every six years at Haridwar and Prayag, while the Purna Kumbh takes place at four places Prayag (Allahabad), Haridwar,Ujjain,and Nashik every twelve years.
The massive throng of devotees has led to tighter security from local authorities and reports of deaths due to stampedes. Alok Sharma, Hiradwar’s deputy inspector general of police told The Wall Street Journal that pilgrims have been advised to carry identity cards due to terrorist threats.
The Khumb Mela or Pitcher Festival traces its origins from a Hindu myth about gods and demons fighting over the nectar of immortality. The BBC has an online slide show of the festival here.
