[Mr. Rakesh Anand Bakshi writes about his experiences in Maha Kumbh, January 2025.]
1) When Drops of Ambrosia fell on Earth
Aum Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya. Aum Namah Shivay. Aum.
Drops of ambrosia, amrit, sweet nectar fell on four locations (rivers) of Earth, at Prayagraj (Triveni sangam, confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati), Haridwar (Ganga), Ujjain (Shipra river), Nasik (Godavari), after the ‘churning of the cosmic ocean’ by the Gods and Demons. These four locations are considered sacred and gave birth to the Earth’s largest spiritual experience today, known as the Kumbh mela. Visiting the Kumbh for a dip in the holy rivers and charity can liberate the Sanatani, also known as the Hindu, from the cycle of Rebirth, Birth & Death. The Kumbh’s origin is mentioned in Sanatan Dharma’s scripture the Rug/Rig Veda, astronomically dated to more than two lacs twenty thousand years ago.
No invitations are ‘sent’. No one is ‘invited’. Yet, 40 million and more devotees (sanatanis), tourists, bloggers, influencers, media personnel show up today for this ‘spiritual festival and celebration’ of Culture, Tradition, Unity, Coexistence, Gratitude and Respect for that which is bigger than us all, was always there and shall remain beyond living beings and things inert. The visitors are driven by curiosity and or faith in Sanatan Dharma’s unique cultural and spiritual experience of taking a dip in holy rivers during the period of the Kumbh. I believe Sanatan Dharma is not a ‘religion’, it is the abrahamics etc who term their belief as a ‘religion’, that’s why I and many others term the Kumbh mela as a cultural and spiritual gathering and not ‘religious’.
It is believed that the particular Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj in 2025 is happening once in 12 years. I prepared for it, my first experience of one, by first deciding to travel light. There is a lot of walking to do from the spot after which vehicles are not allowed. It’s nearly 3 kms walk from there to the main spiritual spot of the Kumbh event and the area marked for stay/accommodations. From the experiences of friends and relatives who have attended the past Kumbh mela, I know for certain that it’s very well organised, very well managed, highest level of security and extremely clean. The streets, lanes, roads in the area of this mega event are cleaned every HOUR, there is a garbage bin every 500 meters on both sides of the lanes. These facts made me feel even more comfortable that my experience will be pleasant inspite of the mega mega mega crowd.
2) Prayagraj, the Triveni Sangam confluence. January 13th 2025.
The most profound experience I had during this Teerth was: ‘BHAKTI’.
Significance – Planetary positions of Jupiter, Earth and the Moon decide the date of the Maha Kumbh mela which arrives once in 12 years. In 2025, the cosmic cycle of 12 cycles of 12 years each peaks completing 144 years, making Kumbh 2025 held in the 145th year extra special. The confluence of three rivers at Triveni Sangam, Prayag is extra special because each river carries water that has arrived at the Triveni Sangam confluence spot carrying its own unique geographical elements and virtues flowing through 3 different routes/geographies to arrive there. What makes the Hindu different from others is their belief in Saraswati even though the river changed course 7500 years ago due to 3 earthquakes, part merged with Yamuna, Ganga and part remains submerged underground. The Hindu believes in what is not seen or felt by the 5 senses but exists, just as we do not see the neurons firing inside our brain yet we experience/feel everything that created the firing of those neurons. They say, seeing is believing. The Hindu knows that even not-seeing is believing.
The Akharas – Guardians of Sanatan Dharma, they continue to pass on the Vedic knowledge to the next generation.
The origins of the Akharas can be traced back to ancient times when they were established to protect and promote religious and cultural practices amidst foreign invasions and societal changes. Traditionally, Akharas served as centres for spiritual learning and physical training, preparing their members to defend the faith both intellectually and physically. Over centuries, these institutions evolved, becoming custodians of Hindu dharma (righteousness) and spiritual practice.
Akharas hold immense significance in Hinduism for several reasons: Preservation of Tradition, Spiritual Training, Cultural Custodians, Martial Heritage, Social Influence.
The Akharas of Kumbh Mela:
- Naga Akhara
- Niranjani Akhara
- Vaishnav Akhara
- Juna Akhara
- Mahanirvani Akhara
- Kinnar Akhara
The Naga Sadhus. One was wearing 75,000 Rudraksh beads all over his body since 2010, devoted to Satta Guna (the cosmic intelligence within us), praying for all others to achieve moksha. One was wearing a handmade Shivling of clay on his head since 12 years, praying for the good of all beings. As for inclusivity, the KInnar Akhara was a massively impressive one under which ‘transgenders’ have organised themselves for Bhakti, surrender to the creator.
Meals are available 24 hours for free to all devotees in the Akhara section or at the entrance of the camps they have set up, and in many other places near Triveni Sangam. Free accommodation, some at a nominal fee with toilets and bath are available for one and all by all the Hindu foundations and organisations that have set up camp for the devotees in millions. I came across ex – CEOs of corporates and a Mumbai IIT graduate, Tech Designer, Aero Space professional, Abhay Singh in his late 30s perhaps who has taken to full time spirituality. Abhay Singh has been featured extensively by nearly all kind of media, TV and YouTube. They are termed as Swamis or Babas depending on their spiritual knowledge and the kind of seva they perform for humanity.
Bhakti
The most profound experience I had was ‘BHAKTI’. The bhakti of the millions I witnessed in the course of my three days visit. Bhakti is a Sanskrit word which is derived from the word bhaj which means “go to onself to” (inward) or “have recourse to” or” to pray/meditate” or we can say “to worship“. This word so many different meanings. It means “attachment, fondness, love, faith, devotion, religious, piety to somethings as spiritual, salvation and many more”. Bhakti in literal words means, “surrender, devotion, faithfulness, loyalty and attachment“. In simple words it means one who spiritually or physically offers himself for the worship of God. The word bhakti, in the Vedic Sanskrit texts, has the common meaning of “adherence, devotion, love, devotion” as in human relationships, usually between lover, friend-friend, king, parent and child. . It may refer to the devotion of a spiritual teacher (Guru) as guru-bhakti, or to a personal God, or to a spiritual form (nirguna).
The most profound experience I had cannot be DESCRIBED in words or images, though I am writing some of it here, one has to be present to experience the depth and expanse of the same. At close quarters I’ve witnessed thousands of young, old, toddlers, aged, weak, strong, very weak, very strong, wealthy and not wealthy, all united as ONE. No division and no codification and no stratification of jati, varna, wealth-status etc on their way totally focused on Dharma and Bhakti, nothing else matters. Not the weather, not food, not body discomfort. Not that they don’t experience them but these matters don’t stop them in their journey to take that auspicious dip and subsequent charity.
If you research the innumerable places of Teerath Sthaans, Hindu pilgrimages, across Bharat, undivided Bharat, you will realise they all are located in places of water, rivers and places where ‘nature’, the ‘scene’ is overwhelming, making us realise we are actually insignificant in the scheme of ‘prakriti’ (nature) though we are as necessary to complete it, the experience of nature. Just as all other beings too experience it in their own ways with their senses and motor organs. I was reading that there were about 87000 places of pilgrimages across undivided Bharat and now few remain. Let us hope more spiritual gatherings inspire more to join our tribe and gradually we strengthen what remains and bring alive what we have lost.
Aum Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya. Aum Namah Shivay.
(Credit: Pics by Sanjeev Mehta and Amit Bakshi)
సమీక్ష చదవగానే పుస్తకం చదవాలనిపించింది. అది మీ విజయం. మీ నుంచి ఇలాంటి సమీక్షను రాబట్టిన రచయితకు…