In what’s being considered the “largest single gathering of humanity,” at least 100 million people will come together over the next month where the Yamuna, Ganges and Saraswati Rivers converge (the Sangam) in the northern Indian city of Allahabad to partake in the ancient Hindu festival Maha Kumbh Mela. The pilgrimage, which is particularly holy because it takes place every 12 years, brought an estimated 70 million people to the banks of the Ganges River in 2001.
The Maha Kumbh Mela creates an atmosphere where India’s social tensions and it’s growing global presence takes a backseat to Hindus gathering to discuss their faith and perform prayers and rituals. What was once seen as a “spectacle” from an outsiders perspective has certainly changed with participants coming from all over the world to partake in the religious gathering. Anywhere from 10 to 30 million people make their way to the waters of the Sangam each day to cleanse themselves.
While the Maha Kumbh Mela only occur in Allahabad every 12 years, India also hosts a Kumbh Mela based on a rotational cycle with the gathering taking place in one of the four most holy Hindu places in India every three years. Because the dates and location of the festivals depends on astrological and religious considerations, the occasional Kumbh Mela can take place just a year apart from the last.
If the ancient festival didn’t already sound interesting enough, it only gets better when you see pictures of it. Check out the proof below:
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