Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jan 12: The grand Maha Kumbh Mela, often called the great pitcher festival, will kick off in Prayagraj on January 13, drawing over 400 million participants throughout its six-week duration, making it the largest human gathering globally. This spiritual and cultural spectacle, held every 12 years, attracts devotees from all over India and beyond, offering a chance for purification and salvation through holy rituals on the banks of sacred rivers.

The festival, a revered Hindu tradition dating back to the Rigveda, is held in four cities Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain where the mythical nectar of immortality is believed to have fallen. At Prayagraj, millions will gather to perform the auspicious 'Shahi Snaan' (royal bath) in the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.

This year, Prayagraj is readying itself to host an extraordinary influx of pilgrims, with over 150,000 temporary tents, 450,000 new electricity connections, and 98 special trains introduced by Indian railways. Security arrangements are robust, with over 40,000 police personnel and advanced surveillance systems in place to ensure the safety of the massive crowd.

The Kumbh Mela’s cultural significance is recognized worldwide, having been included in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2017. The event is expected to be a harmonious blend of faith, devotion, and cultural exchange, attracting both religious devotees and global personalities alike.