1. ENTERTAINMENT
THE JANUARY CONFLUENCESehar Siddiqui writes about the mini kumbh of Allahabad and gives a glimpse of a huge gathering driven by faith
Each year thousands of devotees
from not only India but across the
world mainly consisting of Hindus
take a dip in the holy waters of rivers
which meet at Sangam . Every year
in the month of January, the annual
festival and ritual of Hindus – the Magh
Mela takes places in the historical
city of Allahabad.
“The atmosphere of the city gets
electrified as soon as the devotees
from various parts of the country
start to pour in from various parts
of the nation. The mesmerising and
religiously significant confluence of
the three holy rivers of India – Ganga,
Yamuna and Saraswati gets illuminated
by light, making the landscape even
morepicturesque. Chantsandrecitation
of religious verses fill up the air. The
fragrance of burning incense sticks
and flowers floating in the water
meticulously blend with the salty
and sublime smell of the river. The
Ghats are adorned by Sadhus and
religious saints that travel from far
to reach the holy destination.”
As per the Hindu calendar the month
of Magh i.e. the month of January
by the English calendar is one of the
most auspicious parts of the year. The
astronomically propitious period of 45
days is celebrated as Magh Mela in the
city of Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. The
city of Allahabad has held a significant
position many ways, it has always
been historically, politically, culturally
and religiously very important.
“Floating diyas, incessant chanting
of Shlokas, religious fervour, cultural
and traditional festivities makes the
Magh Mela an event which surely
has an ever lasting impression on the
memory of the visitor”.
Counted amongst one of the largest
religious gatherings of the world, each
year the city of Allahabad spreads its
arms and offers a warm welcome to
all the devotees and tourists that visit
the city during the Magh Mela. The
Magh Mela is held in four places of
India – Haridwar, Allahabad, Nasik
and Ujjain annually. It is an important
annual religious event for Hindus
that is held on the banks of Sangam
(confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and
Saraswati) located in Allahabad. This
year, Magh Mela begins on January 5
and ends on February 17. Magh Mela is
popularly also known as mini Kumbh
Mela and is held in Magh month as per
traditional Hindu calendar followed in
North India. The main ritual involves
taking a holy dip (bathing) at Sangam
on auspicious dates. It must be noted
here that Magh Mela is not restricted to
the month of Magh and the significant
bathing dates are spread over a period
of 45 days.
According to the belief of Hindus
taking a holy dip at the Sangam on
the auspicious days during the month
of Magh wash away the sins and also
lead to Moksha (salvation). Breaking
away from the cycle of life and death
is one of the most important beliefs
of Hindus therefore; taking a dip in
holy water at the confluence is an
important event in the life of every
Hindu. More than a million Hindu
devotees take a holy dip in the icy cold
water during the month of January
on the auspicious bathing dates which
are based on the Hindu calendar.
The local authorities and police of
the city, Allahabad makes special
arrangements for the food and lodging
of the devotees. Almost 6 month
before the Magh Mela the municipal
corporation, local governing bodies,
police authorities and civic bodies
come together to create a tent city
for the devotees that arrive in huge
numbers every year. The banks of
river Ganga becomes a home to not
only devotees but also tourists ,saints
, kalpavasis (pilgrims) and sadhus who
travel a long distance to attend one of
the largest gathering of Hindus in the
world. A lot of religious organizations
and ashrams erect separate camps
for their followers.
More than a month long period of
festivities and religious fervour defines
the Magh Mela aptly. The hospitality,
warmth and affection of the city and
its denizens is clearly reflected during
this period. The Allahabadis and the
local governing bodies truly believe
in the saying – “Athiti Devo Bhava”.
Hence, every devotee, tourist or sadhu
is taken care of and provided with
the best.
Written By:
Sehar Siddiqui
Content Head – Eccentric Travels
Pvt. Ltd.
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