Prayagraj: Maha Kumbh, the 45-day religious event which is expected to witness the largest-ever human gathering, with over 40 crore people anticipated to attend, has blurred the contours of geographical identities with thousands of devotees from foreign countries flocking to Prayagraj.
With the commencement of the Maha Kumbh on Monday, Prayagraj has been witnessing a constant flow of devotees from across the world. From Day 1, they began streaming into the Triveni Sangam to participate in the first Amrit Snan (sacred dip) which took place on the occasion of Makar Sankranti on Tuesday.
The confluence of rivers in Triveni, which became a melting pot of cultures, is seeing the fervour of devotees on the second day of the Maha Kumbh Mela. With over 10 million devotees having taken the holy dip so far as per the UP DGP, the place continues to see an ever-growing presence of pilgrims from India and the world.
Nitya Tarangini, a devotee from Russia who has been staying in Vrindavan now, has her share of joy. "I'm very excited because it's such a huge opportunity to take part in this Kumbh Mela because it's very special and many people are coming. We're staying in Vrindavan, we have a temple there, so that's why we came we want to share these books, this knowledge, this Sanatana Dharma," she told new agency ANI.
Another foreign devotee said, "The spirit of India is very powerful at this moment. Jupiter and Saturn are aligned. Maha Kumbh is not an occasion for India, Maha Kumbh is for all world", he expressed enthusiastically.
Makeshwari Dasi, from the United States of America, told ANI, "I feel like we came to a very pure place and I'm anticipating seeing all the people of India, being in the water with them and chanting with them. We're very fortunate that we got to come to not just India but these spiritual places like Prayag".
On Tuesday, Sadhus of the 13 Akhadas of Sanatan Dharm began taking holy dip at Triveni Sangam. Maha Kumbh is one of the largest and most significant religious congregations in the world, held every 12 years at one of four locations in India.
Devotees, both Indian and foreign-origin, immersed themselves in the sacred tradition, contributing to the world's largest spiritual gathering. The atmosphere around the Triveni Sangam was filled with devotion as foreign pilgrims joined in the spiritual energy of the Mela.
Foreign devotees from various parts of the world gathered to sing bhajans, blending into the devotional ambience. They sang 'Om Jai Jagdish Hare' and 'Mahishasura Mardini Stotram,' adding their voices to the sacred chants of the gathering.
Among those present, a devotee from Milan, Italy, shared her connection to India and the Kumbh Mela. "I am very happy to be in India, as I love India. This is my sixth visit here, and I am thrilled to be part of the Kumbh Mela," she said.
Another devotee from Nepal expressed her joy as she participated in her first Amrit Snan. A devotee from Germany, Thomas said, "I think it (Maha Kumbh) is very well organised. It's very big and people are so friendly. I wanted to feel the spiritual energy and to meet Indian people..."
Foreigners praise hospitality
Jeff, a US citizen, expressed his joy after taking holy dip. "I'm from America, but I live in Lisbon, Portugal," he said. "I find the energy here very calm and relaxing, and everyone seems very friendly. It feels very good to come here." Another devotee, Paula from the United States, expressed her joy at being able to participate in the festival.
"Today is a very good day," she said in broken Hindi. "On this good day, we are getting the opportunity to take a bath with the sadhus. It is our good fortune that we got the opportunity to come to Maha Kumbh and got the company of the sanyasis." A woman from Iran, who was part of a group of 9 people from different parts of the world, also praised the organization of the event.
"We are staying in a very good tent colony. Kumbh is very well organized. It is impressive." As many as 13.8 million devotees have taken a holy dip in the Sangam here till 10.30 am on Tuesday during the first 'Amrit Snan' of Maha Kumbh 2025, according to the officials. Maha Kumbh is one of the largest and most significant religious congregations in the world, held every 12 years at one of four locations in India.
Jeremy from Russia has been following Sanatan Dharma for seven years. She expressed her happiness by visiting Sangam and taking 'Amrit' bath. She said that there is logic in Sanatan Dharma, there is faith in it, not superstition. "It is very beautiful," she quipped.
Foreign devotee Jonathan has come to Kumbh for the first time. He said that his experience was very good. "The people here are very sweet, the food is amazing and I am overwhelmed by seeing the pilgrimage sites and temples. I have taken 'Amrit Snan' for the first time. It is very exciting," added Jonathan.
Claudia, who came from Poland, described 'Amrit Snan' as the most wonderful pleasure of life. She said that she was very happy to come here. "I had never felt like this. I never thought that I would ever get such an experience in life," added Claudia.
Devotee Manjarika, who came from Australia, said that she is a teacher and has been in India for 40 days. When she came to India, she had decided that she would definitely go to the Maha Kumbh Mela. "Because it is amazing in itself. I am having a great experience after coming here. One does not get such an experience every time," she quipped.
Masaji, who came from Japan, said that he has come to Kumbh Mela for the second time. "I am very happy to come here amy feelings cannot be expressed in words. There is a mesmerising atmosphere here. Maha Kumbh Mela is very unique. I am not a Hindu, yet it is very important for me. I feel happy to come here," he added.
Misaki, another devotee from Japan, also admitted that she is feeling peace here. Nikki, who came from Cape Town, South Africa, is overwhelmed by the glory of Maha Kumbh. She said that this place is very powerful. "Amrit Snan gives amazing power. We are feeling blessed to be on the banks of the river Ganga. It is very beautiful. The roads are clean, people are very friendly and happy," she said.
Jose from Spain has gone on a spiritual journey with his friends. Jose said, "I took a holy dip and I enjoyed it a lot, I am very lucky that I got the opportunity to take Amrit bath. This is giving him a new energy and peace."
The Maha Kumbh-2025, which is the Poorna Kumbh, will resume till February 26, 2025. Key 'snan' dates include January 14 (Makar Sankranti - First Shahi Snan), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya - Second Shahi Snan), February 3 (Basant Panchami - Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri). (With agency inputs)
