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Ardh Kumbh Mela: Preparations on
by Virender Pathak

           Allahabad: Allahabad is the venue of one of the biggest Hindu congregations on the planet - Ardh Kumbh Mela. The city is wrapped in sheaths of fog, and the cold wave is affecting the preparations that have been under way for weeks for the mela. On the first day of the year, normal life in the holy city Allahabad came almost to a standstill on Monday, as local administration and visiting pilgrims alike huddled around bon- fires and tried to stave off the cold.

         The event, in the holy city of Allahabad, is called the "Ardh Kumbh Mela", which is celebrated every six years ahead of the Maha Khumbh Mela, the biggest bathing festival of Hindus that comes after 12 years. The Ardh Kumbh Mela begins Wednesday. People of Allahabad, who are engaged in making arrangements for the festivities, are worried as the fog and cold is very heavy. "It's really cold...we are freezing, there is no arrangement. I am not able to do any work, my hands have almost frozen. It's already ten, the Surya Bhagwan (or, the Sun God) hasn't appeared in the sky as yet. It's really cold," said Kanhaiya Lal, a barber associated with tonsuring of pilgrims. Officials are now turning up small fireplaces throughout the area to keep the camping pilgrims warm. The thick fog has also affected the train services, as many trains have been cancelled or been delayed. "Earlier, we were going to cancel them from December 31, but now they will be cancelled from January 2...they will remain cancelled till January 26," said R.K. Shrivatsav, Public Relations Officer for the North-Central Railways. Ardh Kumbh Mela starts from January 3 and last till February 26. The fair will be held at Prayag where three holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati meet Hindus believe bathing in the River Ganges during the festival cleanses them of sin, speeding the way to the end of reincarnation in this world and the attainment of nirvana, or afterlife. Although millions of devotees from around the country and abroad are expected to visit Allahabad during the 42-days, the organisers say the biggest crowds are expected on seven special days including the opening on Wednesday.

        Allahabad in the Hindi heartland state of Uttar Pradesh is one of four spots where Garuda, the winged steed of Hindu god Vishnu, is said to have rested during a titanic battle with demons over a pitcher of divine nectar of immortality. Allahabad is also the site of the holy "sangam" or confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna and a third underground mythical river called the Saraswati, named after the Hindu goddess of learning. Garuda's flight lasted 12 divine days, or 12 years of mortal time, leading to the celebration of the "Maha Kumbh Mela" every 12 years. The midway point between two such celebrations is also considered highly auspicious, as the position of the sun and the moon are the same as during the "Maha Kumbh", mythology experts say. The basic point of this (Ardh Kumbh) bathing fair is for pilgrims to bathe at certain sacred spots on certain auspicious days. A large tented city is erected and pilgrims stay at tents owned by Pandas (religious and spiritual guides) and at various ashrams. Others will just camp on the ground or turn up for the actual bathing day. Some of these bathing days are designated "royal," and it is on these days that the Naga Sadhus (or,naked mendicants) parade and bathe. On other days there will still be people bathing and other events and random processions. Many Himalayan saints, sages, seers, sadhus, and yogis will make their rare appearance at Kumbh Mela in Prayag. The main days for the holy dip are Paush Purnima (January 3), Makar Sankranti (January 14), Mauni Amavasaya (January 19), Basant Panchami (January 23), Magh Purnima (February 2) and Mahashivratri (February 15 to 16). Legend says gods and demons fought a celestial war, spilling heavenly nectar at the confluence of three-rivers in Prayag. The "Maha Kumbh Mela" in 1989 attracted 15 million pilgrims and the Guinness Book of Records dubbed it the largest gathering of human beingsfor a single purpose. It was only bettered by the festival in 2001 which drew between 50 and 70 million people.
- January 2, 2007

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