Prepare for the time of your life...

In order to hold an event of this scale, can you imagine the preparations that are made, and the precautions that must be taken to ensure the public safety? Earlier in this century, when the monks were responsable for organizing the mela, there was a terrible disaster. Hundreds of people died in a flood, that washed away parts of the river bank. Then, in 1954, the government stepped in and took control of organizing the mela. Since then they have created many systems for accomodating the masses that are still a part of the mela today.

 

Imagine the requirements of a city the size of New York, temporarily erected for one month. Basic needs like water, toilets, and electricity must be provided for up to 20 million people, simple people, many of whom have no money and little education. A hospital is staffed with volunteer doctors and provisioned by medical supplies. Post office and telegraph stations offer the fastest possible communication in and out of the Mela. A central police station serves as organizational center for a force of up to 10,000 police officers. An elaborate system of monitoring traffic and crowds has been established, using observation towers, radio and even closed circuit television.
 

One of the most contested issues of government sponsorship of the festival has been the assignment of specific locations to each ashram or spiritual group. Ashrams with strong government connections often will receive preferred positions, both in the procession and on the grounds. Preferred positions are those closest to the sangam, or main bathing area. This point, at which the three rivers Jumna, Saraswati, and Ganges meet, is considered the most auspicious location for taking a dip. This poses problems for those whose tradition might require daily bathings, and who might travel up to ten miles per day to bathe, just because their assigned camping area is far upriver.
 

The sounds of a festive parade will transform the streets of Allahabad, India into the site of an age old celebration. Music and colorful floats will mark the opening day excitement of the Maha Kumba Mela Festival. Elephants carry their spiritual passengers, while many others arrive by foot, bus, train, truck or bicycle. Here monks, pilgrims, and religious devotees will come from their remote dwellings and hiding places to gather for a moment with history, to experience for a time the essence of their culture and to experience the largest spiritual gathering of humanity, the Maha Kumba Mela.

It is certain that we are entering an ancient scene, a holy scene witnessed by those thousands of years before us. To understand India, one must imagine a culture in which the pervasive influence of spirituality is reflected in every aspect of their faith and customs, a culture whose people celebrate their faith in various holidays throughout the year. Some holidays respect the birthday of some Saint, God or Goddess, while others may celebrate the planetary changes. The tremendous faith that most Indians have is visible in their daily lives. Some may simply pass a temple or shrine on the way to work and they will be reminded of their rich spiritual heratage, or perhaps by seeing some ritual performed by a local priest, they can become inspired to change their lives. Monks, Sages and Gurus are all going toward the confluence, or meeting place, of the Ganges and the Yumuna rivers.

On January 24th, many millions of people joined them in a parade that ran miles and ended in a rejuvinating dip into these holy rivers. Very soon the streets that lead to the mela grounds were transformed, as millions of travelers and pilgrims and monks came from all over India and the world to attend this holy gathering of gigantic proportion.
This private site is designed by jaga, you can email me at accessvideo@hotmail.com