Thought For The Day – Wednesday 15^th January 2025

This week has seen the commencement of  the Hindu festival of Kumbh Mela (also known as Mahakumbh) in northern India’s Prayagraj city.

This is described as humanity’s biggest gathering.  About 400 million people are expected to attend. This epic event can even be seen from outer space.

Kumbh Mela is only held once every 12 years. Over the next six weeks, people will bathe at Sangam,  the confluence of India’s most sacred Ganges river with the Yamuna river and the mythical Saraswati river.

For Hindus, the origin of the festival is rooted in a mythological story about a twelve year struggle between good and evil over a Kumbh (a pitcher or jug) of nectar, that promised immortality, which was said to emerge from the ocean.  It is believed that drops fell over four cities, Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik, which each take turns in hosting every twelve years.   Mela means a festival or special occasion.

Hindus believe that bathing in the sacred river, on a holy journey or pilgrimage of self-realisation,  will cleanse them of sins, purify their body and soul, provide spiritual enlightenment and liberate them from the cycle of birth and death.  People pray for others, especially those going through challenges.

For those participating, Kumbh Mela renews their connection with The Divine.

BBC report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cq8kxljx7zxo