For those of you who know about such things, the Kumbha Mela is currently taking place. 
 
For those of you who may not know, the Kumbha Mela is a high holy spiritual event that takes place in India every twelve years. In brief, it symbolizes the victory of gods over demons.
 
It came up on me this year. I didn’t even know it was about to take place. I just saw on the news how some people were trampled to death in their race to get to the river to bath their sins away. That’s a big part of the tradition of the Kumbha Mela, to bath away one’s sins during this very specific period of time.
 
I always believe it is so sad when death occurs at these religious events. Especially via forms of murder like a stampede. I think back to the stampede that took place during the Hajj in Mecca in 2015, when two thousand four hundred pilgrims were killed. I mean, who are these people attending these so-called, “Spiritual,” events? How can you just run over someone and not care? Don’t they care about their follow zealots? How is killing someone by walking, or running, over them, spiritual?
 
It was understood that yesterday was the most auspicious day of this year’s Kumbh Mela and if one were to bath in the convergence of the three holy rivers: the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the Saraswati, on that day, their sins would be washed away for eternity. So, people awoke early and attempted to make their way to the water. Sadly, a group of them did not make it. As of the last count I heard, thirty people were trampled to death.
 
This year’s Kumbha Mela is known as the Prayag Maha Kumbh Mela. As the dates of each Kumbh Mela are calculated by the astrological alignment of planets, specifically the positions of Jupiter, the Sun, and the Moon, in accordance with the Hindu lunar/solar calendar; the festival occurs when Jupiter enters a specific zodiac sign while aligning with the Sun and Moon in a particular astrological position.

This Kumbha Mela is understood to be the most holy event in one hundred and forty-four years, which is why this year’s Kumbh Mela is expected to be one of the largest, if not the largest, in history, with four hundred million people expected to arrive over its six-week period.
 
I have wanted to go to the Kumbh Mela ever since was eighteen. Every time it has come around, however, I didn’t know about it time to prepare for the journey, (like this time), or have the money to go, and/or stuff like that.
 
As I write this today, due to my age, if I were a bettin’ man, I would guess that this is the last Kumbha Mela that I will live to see. If I do live another twelve years, I would be too old to realistic attend. So, I guess I am SOL. I will never make it to the Kumbh Mela. My sins will not be washed away by the rivers. They will follow me through to the next life. And, lord knows, I have a lot of them.

If you want a deeper dive into the Kumbh Mela, here’s a piece for you to read:

Kumbha Mela: An Exploration of its History, Significance, and Celebrations

 
Kumbha Mela is often referred to as the largest peaceful gathering in the world. It is the largest, major Hindu festival and pilgrimage. This festival shifts locations and takes place in four specific geographic locations in India: Prayagraj (Allahabad), Haridwar, Nashik, or Ujjain.
 
Historical Background
The origins of Kumbha Mela are deeply rooted in Hindu mythology. According to ancient scriptures, the mythical foundations of the festival commemorates the legendary churning of the ocean of milk, “Samudra Manthan,” by the gods, “Devas,” and demons, “Asuras,” in their quest for the nectar of immortality, “Amrita.” During the churning, a divine pitcher, “Kumbha,” containing the nectar emerged. In the ensuing struggle to secure the nectar, drops of it fell at four sacred locations on Earth, which are now the sites of the Kumbha Mela.
 
The earliest historical references to Kumbha Mela date back to the accounts of the Chinese traveler Xuanzang, who visited India in the early seventh century and documented a similar festival held at Prayagraj. Over the centuries, Kumbha Mela has grown in scale and significance, becoming a vital aspect of Hindu religious life.
 
Significance and Spirituality
Kumbha Mela is celebrated with the belief that bathing in the sacred rivers, at the designated locations, during the festival purifies the soul and leads to one to spiritual liberation, known as, “Moksha,” removing one from the cycle of birth and death. The main Kumbha Mela events are held at the confluence of holy rivers: the Ganges, Yamuna, and the Saraswati at Prayagraj; the Ganges at Haridwar, the Godavari at Nashik, and the Shipra at Ujjain.
 
Devotees from all walks of life, including Sadhus, “Holy men,” ascetics, householders, and spiritual tourists participate in the rituals and ceremonies. The festival is marked by the presence of various sects of sadhus, such as the Naga sadhus, who are known for their austere practices and appearance.
 
Bathing Ritual
The central ritual of Kumbha Mela is the Shahi Snan or Royal Bath where pilgrims take a dip in the sacred rivers on auspicious dates determined by astrological calculations. It is believed that the waters of these rivers become especially potent during Kumbha Mela, washing away sins and purifying the soul.
 
Processions and Ceremonies
Kumbha Mela is also characterized by grand processions, religious discourses, and cultural performances. Akharas, the monastic orders of Hinduism, play a significant role in these processions.
 
The festival grounds are dotted with camps set up by various religious organizations, where devotees can attend lectures, participate in spiritual practices, and seek blessings from revered saints.
 
Organization and Infrastructure
Given the sheer scale of Kumbha Mela, meticulous planning and organization are crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of the attendees. The festival is managed by a dedicated administrative body, which coordinates with various government agencies to provide essential services such as sanitation, healthcare, transportation, and security.
 
Temporary infrastructure, including tents, hospitals, kitchens, and bathing ghats, is set up to accommodate the influx of pilgrims. Advanced technology, including satellite mapping and crowd management systems, is employed to monitor and manage the event effectively.
 
Ecological Impact and Sustainability
With millions of people converging at the Kumbha Mela sites, concerns about environmental impact and sustainability have grown exponentially. Efforts are made to minimize ecological damage by promoting eco-friendly practices, waste management, and river conservation. Initiatives such as the Swachh Kumbh campaign aim to raise awareness about cleanliness and environmental responsibility among the participants.
 
Conclusion
Kumbha Mela is not just a religious festival; it is a cultural phenomenon that embodies the diversity and richness of Hinduism. It is a testament to the enduring power of faith and tradition, bringing together people from different backgrounds in a celebration of spirituality and unity. As the largest peaceful gathering on Earth, Kumbha Mela continues to captivate the world with its grandeur, devotion, and timeless significance.