Many Indo-Caribbean people from the Caribbean and the diaspora, including this writer, descended on Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad from where many Indians in the Caribbean, Fiji, Mauritius, etc. trace their roots in India) for the Maha Kumbh holy dip and religious worshipping during the months of January and February. The Kumbh is the world’s largest gathering for any event. Some fifteen million people attended the event daily with a few of the holiest days attracting as many as thirty million. The Kumbh is recognized as a world heritage event by UNESCO.
The Kumbh is a religious spectacle, a divine connect stated Prime Minister Modi, an extravaganza, a spiritual congregation of Faith in Bharat (India). It is a once in a lifetime experience (next one is 144 years as per the holy scriptures). This year’s Kumbh occurred at the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of India’s three holiest rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, all holding religious significance for Hindus, to whom Hindus also worship as God or Goddess. The Sangam is the only location globally where three rivers meet. The water comes from the Himalayas Mountain (where Everest, world’s highest peak, is located) and where Lord Shiva abode.
The Kumbh (also called Kumbh mela) is observed every three years rotating in four cities – Prayagraj and Haridwar in Uttar Pradesh where most Indo-Caribbean people originate, Nashik (in Maharashtra, where Bollywood is located), and Ujjain (Madya Pradesh where also some Indo-Caribbean people trace roots) – as per the holy scriptures, where nectars from heaven fell thousands of years ago. The heavenly nectars fell in rivers in these cities, giving rise to the Kumbh mela. The mela conducted every 12 years is called Purna Kumbh. The Maha Kumbh Mela occurs after a gap of 144 years. Prayagraj hosted a Kumbh in 2019 at which many Guyanese, including Dr. Vindya Persaud and this writer, were also present.
The Maha Kumbh is observed as per the alignment of the various planets with the sun and moon as revealed in the holy scriptures. It began on January 13 on Maha Sankrinti (movement of the earth towards the sun to end the winter solstice) and concluded on the auspicious Shivratri observance on February 26, some 45 days. Mahashivratri is one of the holiest days in the Hindu calendar and the Kumbh is the holiest pilgrimage for Hindus. People of all walks of life tend to attend. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath rightly stated that it is a living symbol of India’s spirituality, unity, equality, and harmony. This cultural heritage of humanity reflects the glorious tradition, diverse social fabric, and faith of Indians.
Some six hundred and sixty million people from all over the globe, including Guyanese, visited the Maha Kumbh for a holy dip. There were also Trinidadians and Surinamese and a sprinkling of Jamaicans and nationals of South American and Central American countries. There were people of all faiths although over 90% were Hindus. There were various Bollywood celebrities, including Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Vicky Kaushal, Shweta Mohan, Preity Zinta, almost the entire of Bollywood industry, sports icons like Anil Kumble, Kapil Dev, and Sachin Tendulkar and their families, 118 diplomats from 77 countries, including our own Seeraj Dharamkumar. Guyana’s First Lady Arya was also an official invitee and she was accompanied by a delegation of Guyanese on the same days I attended. Nothing like this ever happened anywhere on earth, and people feel blessed to be there to witness a recording breaking spectacle. Everyone bathed with simplicity and peace, making offerings. Everyone was on equal footing regardless of class. Although the Kumbh officially ended on Wednesday, millions are still descending on the city to immerse themselves in the holy water. When it all ends, some seven hundred millions would have visited the holy site. People bathed to purify their bodies so they can come closer to spiritual liberation as mantras were uttered by holy men and bhajans (hymns) were sung non-stop, continuously night and day.
Guyanese and others said they were spellbound by the spiritual congregation of so many people at one location. They describe their presence and experience at the Kumbh as unforgettable. As they noted, it can’t be described in words, a spirt of devotion. It has to be experienced. It was hair raising, an elevation to Godliness, completely changing your mindset. Guyanese and other devotees prayed and performed rituals (dhar, performing aartee, lit incense) at Sangam. It was soul satisfying and a blessing to be there as the three holy rivers flowed rapidly in in all their eternal glory.
There were many challenges to get to Kumbh because of the massive sea of humanity – human stampede, fatality, fires, lack of sleep, long foot journey. As Guyanese and others noted, they never saw so many people in one location. Traffic was often at a snarl daily. It was bustling day in and night. One found it extremely difficult to get in and get out of the city. One had to prepare to walk long distance; some people walked for thirty kilometers because vehicles were not allowed in or were stuck. And once in the city, it was an arduous journey to get to the holy rivers, the Triveni Sangam, where three holiest rivers meet. The diplomats, VIPs, VVIPS, like Lady Arya, and reporters (invited guests) like myself were fortunate as they (us) were moved around by government officials. I was fortunate to have arrangements made for me and my wife by official contacts developed from dozens of trips to India over the last four decades. Faith and participating in the sacred festival, the belief, were more important than inconveniences and difficulties of the journey.
It was a nightmare to organize such a huge mela, a mammoth task to take care of such a crowd of over 660 million. The state and national government did a fantastic job. Kudos to the organizers and security personnel.
It was good fortune for anyone to be at this overwhelming event that united people of all colors and caste, and of all faiths. It was awe inspiring, unmatched, unparalleled and unforgettable event and a blessing from the Almighty to experience Maha Kumbh Mela.
