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Kumbh | 2019
Prayagraj Ardh Kumbh Mela, 2019 is the Ardh Kumbh Mela to being held at Triveni Sangam in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India from 15 January to 4 March 2019 According to Hindu mythology, Vishnu dropped drops of amrita (the drink of immortality) at four places, while transporting it in a kumbha (pot). These four places, including Allahabad, are identified as the present-day sites of the Kumbh Mela. The river-side fair at Allahabad is centuries old, but its association with the kumbha myth and a 12-year old cycle dates back to the 19th century. The priests of Allahabad borrowed these concepts from the Haridwar Kumbh Mela and applied it to their local Magh Mela, an annual celebration. The Magh Mela probably dates back to the early centuries CE, and has been mentioned in several Puranas.
Prayagraj Ardh Kumbh Mela, 2019 is the Ardh Kumbh Mela to being held at Triveni Sangam in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India from 15 January to 4 March 2019
According to Hindu mythology, Vishnu dropped drops of amrita (the drink of immortality) at four places, while transporting it in a kumbha (pot). These four places, including Allahabad, are identified as the present-day sites of the Kumbh Mela. The river-side fair at Allahabad is centuries old, but its association with the kumbha myth and a 12-year old cycle dates back to the 19th century. The priests of Allahabad borrowed these concepts from the Haridwar Kumbh Mela and applied it to their local Magh Mela, an annual celebration. The Magh Mela probably dates back to the early centuries CE, and has been mentioned in several Puranas. #kumbhmela #kumbh #prayagraj #ardh #allahabad #2019
Merchant
selling
toys
holding their
boys
in
NASHIK, MAHARASTRA
during ARDH KUMBH MELA
Photography’s new conscience
Kumbh | 2019
Prayagraj Ardh Kumbh Mela, 2019 is the Ardh Kumbh Mela to being held at Triveni Sangam in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India from 15 January to 4 March 2019 According to Hindu mythology, Vishnu dropped drops of amrita (the drink of immortality) at four places, while transporting it in a kumbha (pot). These four places, including Allahabad, are identified as the present-day sites of the Kumbh Mela. The river-side fair at Allahabad is centuries old, but its association with the kumbha myth and a 12-year old cycle dates back to the 19th century. The priests of Allahabad borrowed these concepts from the Haridwar Kumbh Mela and applied it to their local Magh Mela, an annual celebration. The Magh Mela probably dates back to the early centuries CE, and has been mentioned in several Puranas.
Prayagraj Ardh Kumbh Mela, 2019 is the Ardh Kumbh Mela to being held at Triveni Sangam in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India from 15 January to 4 March 2019
Naga sadhus are devoid of any material possessions, without clothes (they only wear a small saffron cloth) and with ash rubbed all over their body. Naga sadhus are known to be epitome of non-violence and have a huge history behind them.
Moving on to their history, the order of Naga Sadhus was founded by Dattatreya Later, Shankaracharya organized the Nagas to protect Sanatana Dharma – years later Naga Sadhus came into being,
The journey to being a Naga Sadu is fulled with penance pain and endurance. Naga Sadhus have to give up their family, all worldly desires and practice a life of celibacy. They even need to conduct their own last rites as a way of telling the world that they are “dead” – they will now only live a life of penance. A Naga Sadhu eats only once a day and can beg for food at 7 seven houses each day, failing which he has to go to bed starving.
Naga Sadhus are mostly seen only during the Kumbh Mela. This is because they are used to a life of oblivion and they are asked to shun people, but it is an exception during the Kumbh. This is the place they come to hoping to connect with God and go back to their life of oblivion soon after.
According to Hindu mythology, Vishnu dropped drops of amrita (the drink of immortality) at four places, while transporting it in a kumbha (pot). These four places, including Allahabad, are identified as the present-day sites of the Kumbh Mela. The river-side fair at Allahabad is centuries old, but its association with the kumbha myth and a 12-year old cycle dates back to the 19th century. The priests of Allahabad borrowed these concepts from the Haridwar Kumbh Mela and applied it to their local Magh Mela, an annual celebration. The Magh Mela probably dates back to the early centuries CE, and has been mentioned in several Puranas. #kumbhmela #kumbh #prayagraj #ardh #allahabad #2019
Prayagraj Ardh Kumbh Mela, 2019 is the Ardh Kumbh Mela to being held at Triveni Sangam in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India from 15 January to 4 March 2019
Naga sadhus are devoid of any material possessions, without clothes (they only wear a small saffron cloth) and with ash rubbed all over their body. Naga sadhus are known to be epitome of non-violence and have a huge history behind them.
Moving on to their history, the order of Naga Sadhus was founded by Dattatreya Later, Shankaracharya organized the Nagas to protect Sanatana Dharma – years later Naga Sadhus came into being,
The journey to being a Naga Sadu is fulled with penance pain and endurance. Naga Sadhus have to give up their family, all worldly desires and practice a life of celibacy. They even need to conduct their own last rites as a way of telling the world that they are “dead” – they will now only live a life of penance. A Naga Sadhu eats only once a day and can beg for food at 7 seven houses each day, failing which he has to go to bed starving.
Naga Sadhus are mostly seen only during the Kumbh Mela. This is because they are used to a life of oblivion and they are asked to shun people, but it is an exception during the Kumbh. This is the place they come to hoping to connect with God and go back to their life of oblivion soon after.
According to Hindu mythology, Vishnu dropped drops of amrita (the drink of immortality) at four places, while transporting it in a kumbha (pot). These four places, including Allahabad, are identified as the present-day sites of the Kumbh Mela. The river-side fair at Allahabad is centuries old, but its association with the kumbha myth and a 12-year old cycle dates back to the 19th century. The priests of Allahabad borrowed these concepts from the Haridwar Kumbh Mela and applied it to their local Magh Mela, an annual celebration. The Magh Mela probably dates back to the early centuries CE, and has been mentioned in several Puranas. #kumbhmela #kumbh #prayagraj #ardh #allahabad #2019
Kumbh Mela or Kumbha Mela is a mass Hindu pilgrimage of faith in which Hindus gather to bathe in a sacred or holy river.
Prayagraj Ardh Kumbh Mela, 2019 is the Ardh Kumbh Mela to being held at Triveni Sangam in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India from 15 January to 4 March 2019
According to Hindu mythology, Vishnu dropped drops of amrita (the drink of immortality) at four places, while transporting it in a kumbha (pot). These four places, including Allahabad, are identified as the present-day sites of the Kumbh Mela. The river-side fair at Allahabad is centuries old, but its association with the kumbha myth and a 12-year old cycle dates back to the 19th century. The priests of Allahabad borrowed these concepts from the Haridwar Kumbh Mela and applied it to their local Magh Mela, an annual celebration. The Magh Mela probably dates back to the early centuries CE, and has been mentioned in several Puranas.
Rising attendance and scale
Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj, c. 2001.
Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj is the largest in the world, the attendance and scale of preparation of which keeps rising with each successive celebration. For the 2019 Ardh Kumbh at Prayagraj, the preparations include a ₹42,000 million (US$580 million or €510 million) temporary city over 2,500 hectares with 122,000 temporary toilets and range of accommodation from simple dormitory tents to 5-star tents, 800 special trains by the Indian Railway, artificially intelligent video surveillance and analytics by IBM, disease surveillance, river transport management by Inland Waterways Authority of India, and an app to help the visitors.
In 1903, 400,000 pilgrims were recorded as attending the fair at Prayagraj.
On 14 April 1998, 10 million pilgrims attended the Kumb Mela at Haridwar on the busiest single day.
In 2001, 70 million pilgrims attended the 55 days long Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj, including more than 40 million on the busiest single day.
In 2007, 70 million pilgrims attended the 45-day long Ardha Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj.
In 2013, 120 million pilgrims attended the Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj.
#kumbhmela #kumbh #prayagraj #ardh #allahabad #2019
Har Ki Pauri (Devanagari: हर-की-पौडी) is a famous ghat on the banks of the Ganges in Haridwar in Uttarakhand state in India. This revered place is the major landmark of the holy city of Haridwar. Literally, "Har" means "Lord Shiva", "ki" means "of" and "paudi" means "steps". Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are believed to have visited the Brahmakund in Har ki Paudi in the Vedic times. There is a large footprint said to belong to Lord Vishnu on a stone wall.[1]
It is believed that it is precise spot where the Ganges leaves the mountains and enters the plains. The ghat is on the west bank of Ganges canal through which the Ganges is diverted just to the north. Har ki pauri is also the area where thousands of pilgrims converge and the festivities commence during the Kumbha Mela, which takes place every twelve years, and the Ardh Kumbh Mela, which takes place every six.
King Vikramaditya is said to have built it in 1st century BC in the memory of his brother, Bhatrihari who had come to meditate here on the bank of the Ganges. An area within Har ki Pauri, where the evening Ganga Aarti takes places and which is considered most sacred is known as Brahamakund (Devanagari: ब्रह्म कुंड). It is considered to be the spot where the drops of Amrit fell over from the sky, while being carried in a pitcher by the celestial bird, Garuda after the Samudra manthan.
Every day, Har Ki Pauri ghat witnesses hundreds taking a dip in water of the Ganges. The place is considered very auspicious. Over the years the ghats have undergone major extension and renovation as the crowds increased in subsequent Kumbh Melas. Several temples have come up on the steps, most built in late 19th century.
Prayagraj Ardh Kumbh Mela, 2019 is the Ardh Kumbh Mela to being held at Triveni Sangam in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India from 15 January to 4 March 2019
According to Hindu mythology, Vishnu dropped drops of amrita (the drink of immortality) at four places, while transporting it in a kumbha (pot). These four places, including Allahabad, are identified as the present-day sites of the Kumbh Mela. The river-side fair at Allahabad is centuries old, but its association with the kumbha myth and a 12-year old cycle dates back to the 19th century. The priests of Allahabad borrowed these concepts from the Haridwar Kumbh Mela and applied it to their local Magh Mela, an annual celebration. The Magh Mela probably dates back to the early centuries CE, and has been mentioned in several Puranas. #kumbhmela #kumbh #prayagraj #ardh #allahabad #2019
Kumbh Mela or Kumbha Mela is a mass Hindu pilgrimage of faith in which Hindus gather to bathe in a sacred or holy river.
Prayagraj Ardh Kumbh Mela, 2019 is the Ardh Kumbh Mela to being held at Triveni Sangam in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India from 15 January to 4 March 2019
According to Hindu mythology, Vishnu dropped drops of amrita (the drink of immortality) at four places, while transporting it in a kumbha (pot). These four places, including Allahabad, are identified as the present-day sites of the Kumbh Mela. The river-side fair at Allahabad is centuries old, but its association with the kumbha myth and a 12-year old cycle dates back to the 19th century. The priests of Allahabad borrowed these concepts from the Haridwar Kumbh Mela and applied it to their local Magh Mela, an annual celebration. The Magh Mela probably dates back to the early centuries CE, and has been mentioned in several Puranas.
Rising attendance and scale
Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj, c. 2001.
Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj is the largest in the world, the attendance and scale of preparation of which keeps rising with each successive celebration. For the 2019 Ardh Kumbh at Prayagraj, the preparations include a ₹42,000 million (US$580 million or €510 million) temporary city over 2,500 hectares with 122,000 temporary toilets and range of accommodation from simple dormitory tents to 5-star tents, 800 special trains by the Indian Railway, artificially intelligent video surveillance and analytics by IBM, disease surveillance, river transport management by Inland Waterways Authority of India, and an app to help the visitors.
In 1903, 400,000 pilgrims were recorded as attending the fair at Prayagraj.
On 14 April 1998, 10 million pilgrims attended the Kumb Mela at Haridwar on the busiest single day.
In 2001, 70 million pilgrims attended the 55 days long Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj, including more than 40 million on the busiest single day.
In 2007, 70 million pilgrims attended the 45-day long Ardha Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj.
In 2013, 120 million pilgrims attended the Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj.
#kumbhmela #kumbh #prayagraj #ardh #allahabad #2019
Kumbh Mela (/ˌkʊm ˈmeɪlə/ or /ˌkʊm məˈlɑː/; Devanagari: कुम्भ मेला "kumbh mēlā") is a mass Hindu pilgrimage of faith in which Hindus gather to bathe in a sacred river. It is the world's largest religious gathering, with 80 million people expected in 2013.[2] It is held every third year at one of the four places by rotation: Haridwar, Allahabad (Prayag), Nasik and Ujjain. Thus the Kumbh Mela is held at each of these four places every twelfth year. Ardh ("Half") Kumbh Mela is held at only two places, Haridwar and Allahabad, every sixth year. The rivers at these four places are: the Ganges (Ganga) at Haridwar, the confluence (Sangam) of the Ganges and the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati at Allahabad, the Godawari at Nasik, and the Shipra at Ujjain. For details kumbhmelaallahabad.gov.in/english/index.html
See in Black. Press "L"
Prayagraj Ardh Kumbh Mela, 2019 is the Ardh Kumbh Mela to being held at Triveni Sangam in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India from 15 January to 4 March 2019
Naga sadhus are devoid of any material possessions, without clothes (they only wear a small saffron cloth) and with ash rubbed all over their body. Naga sadhus are known to be epitome of non-violence and have a huge history behind them.
Moving on to their history, the order of Naga Sadhus was founded by Dattatreya Later, Shankaracharya organized the Nagas to protect Sanatana Dharma – years later Naga Sadhus came into being,
The journey to being a Naga Sadu is fulled with penance pain and endurance. Naga Sadhus have to give up their family, all worldly desires and practice a life of celibacy. They even need to conduct their own last rites as a way of telling the world that they are “dead” – they will now only live a life of penance. A Naga Sadhu eats only once a day and can beg for food at 7 seven houses each day, failing which he has to go to bed starving.
Naga Sadhus are mostly seen only during the Kumbh Mela. This is because they are used to a life of oblivion and they are asked to shun people, but it is an exception during the Kumbh. This is the place they come to hoping to connect with God and go back to their life of oblivion soon after.
According to Hindu mythology, Vishnu dropped drops of amrita (the drink of immortality) at four places, while transporting it in a kumbha (pot). These four places, including Allahabad, are identified as the present-day sites of the Kumbh Mela. The river-side fair at Allahabad is centuries old, but its association with the kumbha myth and a 12-year old cycle dates back to the 19th century. The priests of Allahabad borrowed these concepts from the Haridwar Kumbh Mela and applied it to their local Magh Mela, an annual celebration. The Magh Mela probably dates back to the early centuries CE, and has been mentioned in several Puranas. #kumbhmela #kumbh #prayagraj #ardh #allahabad #2019
Prayagraj Ardh Kumbh Mela, 2019 is the Ardh Kumbh Mela to being held at Triveni Sangam in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India from 15 January to 4 March 2019
Naga sadhus are devoid of any material possessions, without clothes (they only wear a small saffron cloth) and with ash rubbed all over their body. Naga sadhus are known to be epitome of non-violence and have a huge history behind them.
Moving on to their history, the order of Naga Sadhus was founded by Dattatreya Later, Shankaracharya organized the Nagas to protect Sanatana Dharma – years later Naga Sadhus came into being,
The journey to being a Naga Sadu is fulled with penance pain and endurance. Naga Sadhus have to give up their family, all worldly desires and practice a life of celibacy. They even need to conduct their own last rites as a way of telling the world that they are “dead” – they will now only live a life of penance. A Naga Sadhu eats only once a day and can beg for food at 7 seven houses each day, failing which he has to go to bed starving.
Naga Sadhus are mostly seen only during the Kumbh Mela. This is because they are used to a life of oblivion and they are asked to shun people, but it is an exception during the Kumbh. This is the place they come to hoping to connect with God and go back to their life of oblivion soon after.
According to Hindu mythology, Vishnu dropped drops of amrita (the drink of immortality) at four places, while transporting it in a kumbha (pot). These four places, including Allahabad, are identified as the present-day sites of the Kumbh Mela. The river-side fair at Allahabad is centuries old, but its association with the kumbha myth and a 12-year old cycle dates back to the 19th century. The priests of Allahabad borrowed these concepts from the Haridwar Kumbh Mela and applied it to their local Magh Mela, an annual celebration. The Magh Mela probably dates back to the early centuries CE, and has been mentioned in several Puranas. #kumbhmela #kumbh #prayagraj #ardh #allahabad #2019
i took this photo in 1995 .. India - Ardh Kumbh Mela ..
..
Kumbh Mela is a mass Hindu pilgrimage of faith in which Hindus gather to bathe in a sacred river. It is considered to be the largest peaceful gathering in the world where around 100 million people were expected to visit during the Maha Kumbh Mela in 2013 in Allahabad.
Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. Fantastic eyes.
I saw him in that huge crowd but I didn't manage to take good pictures of him .... It was early morning and he disappeared in a second.
If someone see him again (never know !), let me know !
Prayagraj Ardh Kumbh Mela, 2019 is the Ardh Kumbh Mela to being held at Triveni Sangam in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India from 15 January to 4 March 2019
According to Hindu mythology, Vishnu dropped drops of amrita (the drink of immortality) at four places, while transporting it in a kumbha (pot). These four places, including Allahabad, are identified as the present-day sites of the Kumbh Mela. The river-side fair at Allahabad is centuries old, but its association with the kumbha myth and a 12-year old cycle dates back to the 19th century. The priests of Allahabad borrowed these concepts from the Haridwar Kumbh Mela and applied it to their local Magh Mela, an annual celebration. The Magh Mela probably dates back to the early centuries CE, and has been mentioned in several Puranas. #kumbhmela #kumbh #prayagraj #ardh #allahabad #2019
Kumbh Mela or Kumbha Mela is a mass Hindu pilgrimage of faith in which Hindus gather to bathe in a sacred or holy river.
Prayagraj Ardh Kumbh Mela, 2019 is the Ardh Kumbh Mela to being held at Triveni Sangam in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India from 15 January to 4 March 2019
According to Hindu mythology, Vishnu dropped drops of amrita (the drink of immortality) at four places, while transporting it in a kumbha (pot). These four places, including Allahabad, are identified as the present-day sites of the Kumbh Mela. The river-side fair at Allahabad is centuries old, but its association with the kumbha myth and a 12-year old cycle dates back to the 19th century. The priests of Allahabad borrowed these concepts from the Haridwar Kumbh Mela and applied it to their local Magh Mela, an annual celebration. The Magh Mela probably dates back to the early centuries CE, and has been mentioned in several Puranas.
Prayagraj Ardh Kumbh Mela, 2019 is the Ardh Kumbh Mela to being held at Triveni Sangam in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India from 15 January to 4 March 2019
According to Hindu mythology, Vishnu dropped drops of amrita (the drink of immortality) at four places, while transporting it in a kumbha (pot). These four places, including Allahabad, are identified as the present-day sites of the Kumbh Mela. The river-side fair at Allahabad is centuries old, but its association with the kumbha myth and a 12-year old cycle dates back to the 19th century. The priests of Allahabad borrowed these concepts from the Haridwar Kumbh Mela and applied it to their local Magh Mela, an annual celebration. The Magh Mela probably dates back to the early centuries CE, and has been mentioned in several Puranas. #kumbhmela #kumbh #prayagraj #ardh #allahabad #2019
Prayagraj Ardh Kumbh Mela, 2019 is the Ardh Kumbh Mela to being held at Triveni Sangam in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India from 15 January to 4 March 2019
Naga sadhus are devoid of any material possessions, without clothes (they only wear a small saffron cloth) and with ash rubbed all over their body. Naga sadhus are known to be epitome of non-violence and have a huge history behind them.
Moving on to their history, the order of Naga Sadhus was founded by Dattatreya Later, Shankaracharya organized the Nagas to protect Sanatana Dharma – years later Naga Sadhus came into being,
The journey to being a Naga Sadu is fulled with penance pain and endurance. Naga Sadhus have to give up their family, all worldly desires and practice a life of celibacy. They even need to conduct their own last rites as a way of telling the world that they are “dead” – they will now only live a life of penance. A Naga Sadhu eats only once a day and can beg for food at 7 seven houses each day, failing which he has to go to bed starving.
Naga Sadhus are mostly seen only during the Kumbh Mela. This is because they are used to a life of oblivion and they are asked to shun people, but it is an exception during the Kumbh. This is the place they come to hoping to connect with God and go back to their life of oblivion soon after.
According to Hindu mythology, Vishnu dropped drops of amrita (the drink of immortality) at four places, while transporting it in a kumbha (pot). These four places, including Allahabad, are identified as the present-day sites of the Kumbh Mela. The river-side fair at Allahabad is centuries old, but its association with the kumbha myth and a 12-year old cycle dates back to the 19th century. The priests of Allahabad borrowed these concepts from the Haridwar Kumbh Mela and applied it to their local Magh Mela, an annual celebration. The Magh Mela probably dates back to the early centuries CE, and has been mentioned in several Puranas. #kumbhmela #kumbh #prayagraj #ardh #allahabad #2019
Met this blissful woman at the banks of Ganga (Sangam) in Kumbhmela. She is a hindu widow who came along with other Hindu women. While the other women were busy taking the holy dip and following the rituals, this angel enjoyed the river and its flow. I didn’t see any other person who enjoyed such a tiny moment in Kumbh.
The rituals the other women followed may or may not give them the fruits of Kumbh. But I’m sure that this woman is a person who already attained the moksha in the best way possible.
(Contact sheet in the first comment)
Kumbh Mela or Kumbha Mela is a mass Hindu pilgrimage of faith in which Hindus gather to bathe in a sacred or holy river.
Prayagraj Ardh Kumbh Mela, 2019 is the Ardh Kumbh Mela to being held at Triveni Sangam in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India from 15 January to 4 March 2019
According to Hindu mythology, Vishnu dropped drops of amrita (the drink of immortality) at four places, while transporting it in a kumbha (pot). These four places, including Allahabad, are identified as the present-day sites of the Kumbh Mela. The river-side fair at Allahabad is centuries old, but its association with the kumbha myth and a 12-year old cycle dates back to the 19th century. The priests of Allahabad borrowed these concepts from the Haridwar Kumbh Mela and applied it to their local Magh Mela, an annual celebration. The Magh Mela probably dates back to the early centuries CE, and has been mentioned in several Puranas.
#kumbhmela #kumbh #prayagraj #ardh #allahabad #2019
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The Story of The Kumbh - The origin of the Kumbh Mela (maha means great, kumbh is pitcher and mela means fair in Hindi) can be traced back to the Vedic period, when the deities and demons arrived at a consensus to work together in the task of churning "Amrit" or nectar of immortality from the Ksheera Sagara (the primeval ocean of milk). It was decided that the nectar would be shared amongst all on equal basis.
Mount Mandarachala (a mythical mountain) was used as the churning rod and Vasuki, the king of serpents, became the churning rope. However, once the mountain was placed on the ocean, it began to sink. Lord Vishnu in His second incarnation, in the form of a turtle Kurma, came to their rescue and supported the mountain on His back.
When the Kumbh or the pitcher full of Amrit appeared, the demons played a mischief and escaped the place with the nectar. The Gods followed them and fought with the demons in the sky for acquiring back the pitcher. The battle went on for twelve consecutive days and nights, which was equivalent to twelve human years. It is said that during the war, a few drops of amrit fell on the earth at four distinctive spots, namely Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik. These are those four points or locations, where the Maha Kumbh Mela festival is celebrated at an interval of every twelve years.
Kumbh at Prayag has a special significance, it is held on the banks of the rivers Ganga-Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati.
During the entire duration of the event approximately 80 to 100 million (no scientific method to determine the exact number) people are expected to visit the Maha Kumbh 2013 which will be held for 55 days. It is described as the 'greatest show on earth,' and on the inaugurating day, 14th of January there were over 8 million people - gurus, seers, saints, sages, devotees and pilgrims - who took the holy dip. The entire mela ground covers 20 sq km / 4,932 acres, some 35, 000 make shift toilets have been set up, 243 doctors and 30, 000 cops have been deployed, 18 pontoon bridges spanning the Ganga and Yamuna have been constructed to facilitate movement of the people and 156.20 kilometers / 97 miles of temporary road has been constructed. The fair ground has been termed very correctly as 'pop-up mega city' by some.
Incidentally at an interval of every six years Ardh or half Kumbh Mela is held in two places alternatively, in Haridwar and Prayag.
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Winner of the "Daily Travel Photography Contest" on February 09th, 2013. Click HERE to see a larger version of this photograph.
To see many more photographs from my trip to the Maha Kumbh Mela 2013 click on The Maha Kumbh Mela Chronicles.
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Prayagraj Ardh Kumbh Mela, 2019 is the Ardh Kumbh Mela to being held at Triveni Sangam in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India from 15 January to 4 March 2019
According to Hindu mythology, Vishnu dropped drops of amrita (the drink of immortality) at four places, while transporting it in a kumbha (pot). These four places, including Allahabad, are identified as the present-day sites of the Kumbh Mela. The river-side fair at Allahabad is centuries old, but its association with the kumbha myth and a 12-year old cycle dates back to the 19th century. The priests of Allahabad borrowed these concepts from the Haridwar Kumbh Mela and applied it to their local Magh Mela, an annual celebration. The Magh Mela probably dates back to the early centuries CE, and has been mentioned in several Puranas. #kumbhmela #kumbh #prayagraj #ardh #allahabad #2019
A naga sadhu from the Juna akhara smoking the chillam at his camp, during the Ardh Kumbh mela, Allahabad, India. January 2007
Allahabad - Prayagraj
Bath in Ganges
Starting on January 15, 2019, and lasting until March 4, 2019, the Hindu festival of Kumbh Mela will take place in Allahabad, India. Authorities are expecting approximately 100 million visitors to come for a holy dip at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati Rivers.
Prayagraj Ardh Kumbh Mela, 2019 was the Ardh Kumbh Mela held at Triveni Sangam in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India from 15 January to 4 March 2019.
Kumbh Mela or Kumbha Mela is a mass Hindu pilgrimage of faith in which Hindus gather to bathe in a sacred or holy river.
Prayagraj Ardh Kumbh Mela, 2019 is the Ardh Kumbh Mela to being held at Triveni Sangam in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India from 15 January to 4 March 2019
According to Hindu mythology, Vishnu dropped drops of amrita (the drink of immortality) at four places, while transporting it in a kumbha (pot). These four places, including Allahabad, are identified as the present-day sites of the Kumbh Mela. The river-side fair at Allahabad is centuries old, but its association with the kumbha myth and a 12-year old cycle dates back to the 19th century. The priests of Allahabad borrowed these concepts from the Haridwar Kumbh Mela and applied it to their local Magh Mela, an annual celebration. The Magh Mela probably dates back to the early centuries CE, and has been mentioned in several Puranas.
Rising attendance and scale
Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj, c. 2001.
Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj is the largest in the world, the attendance and scale of preparation of which keeps rising with each successive celebration. For the 2019 Ardh Kumbh at Prayagraj, the preparations include a ₹42,000 million (US$580 million or €510 million) temporary city over 2,500 hectares with 122,000 temporary toilets and range of accommodation from simple dormitory tents to 5-star tents, 800 special trains by the Indian Railway, artificially intelligent video surveillance and analytics by IBM, disease surveillance, river transport management by Inland Waterways Authority of India, and an app to help the visitors.
In 1903, 400,000 pilgrims were recorded as attending the fair at Prayagraj.
On 14 April 1998, 10 million pilgrims attended the Kumb Mela at Haridwar on the busiest single day.
In 2001, 70 million pilgrims attended the 55 days long Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj, including more than 40 million on the busiest single day.
In 2007, 70 million pilgrims attended the 45-day long Ardha Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj.
In 2013, 120 million pilgrims attended the Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj.
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