Maha Kumbh 2025 is ‘maha yagya of unity’, says PM in Prayagraj

Sub: History

Sec: Art and Culture

Context:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the significance of the Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, describing it as a “maha yagya of unity” that will elevate India’s spiritual and cultural identity.
Prime Minister launched the Sah’AI’yak’ Chatbot, an AI-based multilingual platform to assist devotees in 11 Indian languages.

About Kumbh Mela:

The Kumbh Mela (the festival of the sacred pitcher) is anchored in Hindu mythology.
KumbhMela is the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims on earth, during which participants bathe or take a dip in a sacred river.
It is believed that the water of the river at these locations has been sanctified by the divine nectar, and bathing in it cleanses devotees of their sins and ensures liberation (moksha).
Primarily, this congregation includes Ascetics, Saints, Sadhus, Sadhvis, Kalpvasis, and pilgrims from all walks of life.
The Mela was included in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2017.

When and where is it held:

Kumbh Mela is celebrated four times over a course of 12 years.
The geographical location of Kumbh Mela spans over four locations in India and the Mela site keeps rotating between one of the four pilgrimage places every three years:
- Haridwar on the Ganges in Uttarakhand.
- Ujjain on the Shipra in Madhya Pradesh.
- Nashik on the Godavari in Maharashtra.
- Prayagraj at the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati in Uttar Pradesh.

Historical background:

The Kumbh Mela finds its first historical references during the Maurya and Gupta periods, approximately from the 4th century BCE to the 6th century CE.
The medieval period witnessed the Maha Kumbh Mela evolving into a grander spectacle, with the inclusion of royal patronage and the flourishing of cultural traditions.
In 1565, Mughal Emperor Akbar forged an alliance with the Naga Sadhus, the ascetic warriors of the pilgrimage. Impressed by their discipline and martial traditions, Akbar granted the Nagas the right to lead the royal procession into the Kumbh.
British colonial administrator James Prinsep documented the Maha Kumbh Mela in the 19th century, offering descriptions of the ritualistic practices.