Kumbh – A spiritual gathering

I feel tempted to share a few thoughts about the ongoing mega event in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India: The Maha Kumbh! Indians, foreigners, Hindus, non-Hindus, young, old, rich and poor, all are drawn to this event and finding means and ways to have a dip and be blessed.  It is the first time that world is witnessing such an intense, unimaginable gathering, and verily will be the last time too, because the next Maha Kumbh is after 144years.

It was never in my large scheme of things that I would ever be a part of this divine event. I knew very little about Kumbh mela, and the little I knew was not encouraging! As per me, it was an attempt to wash away my past misdeeds, and gain a carte blanche to be reckless again, by taking a dip in the holy river. This was ridiculous and unappealing to me.

So, when a family member called and said she was going, it piqued my curiosity! A chance had presented itself, for me to know more, the true meaning and significance of Kumbha.  I temporarily nourished this desire to be a part of it, experience the holy dip. My plans did not fructify though, maybe the craving was not strong enough? Once the thought was seeded, not being able to go brought some grief and the discontentment persisted. And I became curious and intent to be a part of it, some other way.

Why is the world gushing like an ocean is full spate in one direction! This event seemed to transcend everything. A unified goal is propelling them, and they are all caught in the frenzy, eager and engrossed.

I thought of absorbing myself in learning about this event, its significance and origin! This is my way of a being a part of the Maha Kumbh yatra; virtually dipping myself in the holy waters of Triveni, where the three sacred rivers, Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati meet.