Friday, July 31, 2015

Kumbha Mela: The Celestial Carnival Of Divinity And Faith!!!


There is Nothing In The Outside World That is Not In Inside!!! 
I have already written about my perception and understanding of Kumbha Mela before though I have never been to it so far. But I must say that was how I felt about KumbhaMela till last Sunday.
On Sunday (26th July 2015) I had an opportunity to attend the screening of “Conversation at Kumbha Mela” – a documentary film on Kumbha Mela at Allahbad in 2013 at Nehru Centre, Worli - prepared and organized by Anugraha.
It was truly amazing. I had never thought the feeling would be so different. I had my own observation about Kumbha Mela. But the documentary is really instructive, informative and  enlightening!!
 Any spiritual or religious venture has its foundation on FAITH. It begins with Faith and ends in Faith as well. So also the mystifying Kumbha Mela.



 I knew that Kumbha Mela is known as “the world's most massive act of faith” but the question never arrived in my mind was how was it possible. I mean what short of power of magnetism the “Mysterious Kumbha” has that draws millions and millions of people who arrive there boarding overcrowded buses, trains or any means of transport with meager belongings and heavy bundles to settle for few days of life in any corner of the holy land, only to assimilate themselves in “ocean of humans” and to take a dip in the holy rivers.
 No advertisement, no grand preparation by the administrative bodies, no sufficiency of hygiene and sanitation, no availability of proper medications in case of a major health break up, also not enough security and safety  and no luxury of life. Still the Kumbha Mela gathers human droplets to form an oceanic sight.  The magical automation of life inside the Kumbha Mela would leave you astounded while looking at the human veritable river with wave after wave that flows onto the banks of the river and assimilate in it.
 With what looks to be “not so equipped and resourced” administrative authorities to monitor the “largest congregation of religious gathering in the World” makes Kumbha Mela not less than a “spiritual adventure” of its kind.



Is that only faith!! Or an invisible blanket of a celestial power that makes such a grand divine event possible!! I think here it narrows the crevice between the Theist – Believer of God and Atheist – Non believer of God.
Kumbha Mela is of course the holiest religious Pilgrimage for the Hindus. And Pilgrimage is essentially a part of every religion. But what boggles the mind is the “the colossal number of devotee” who come to this sanctified event with such an incredible faith. Faith forms the most significant force that makes Kumbha Mela possible. "The unwavering conviction, faith and trust in something sublime, something uplifting" might be the boosting force behind such a gathering...!!!
It is the power of faith that can part a river, move mountains, and endure the hardships that come bundled up for being an integral part of Kumbh Mela, a congregation of millions, gathered together to be freed from the vicious earthly cycle of life and death and move towards a heavenly realm, which knows no suffering or pain.
It's the mythological history of India and the sacred religious texts that bind us carnal souls to an eternal hope - things will be better, without the ever-imminent fear of them getting worse that cripples us here.
"An eternal life free of sins" is the promise that comes attached with the magnificent event of Kumbh Mela. It's a promise to which millions want to be bound with, and it is this promise that has made Kumbh Mela what it is today.

No matter what attracts people to this gathering. It could be just Faith to submit oneself to the mystery of Kumbha or the Curiosity to explore the spirit of jamboree. In any case one learns the best lessons of “essence of Human life”. 
Being a droplet in the Human Ocean makes one to realize the tiny existence of oneself in the Universe. That takes away the ego, pride and superciliousness and arrogance….the evils of human life.
I learnt about something very interesting is the “Kinchit daan” (little charity) that is performed here by the devotees where people do charity in the form of various food materials like rice, pulses, vegetables… etc and other things as well.
The symbolic meaning of “Kinchit Daan” is no matter how much material wealth one acquires, it would always remain kinchit (small). One who doise a charity of one ruee and one who dose a charity of 1 billion…both are said as “kinchit”. The lesson is “charity is a responsibility”.
Total submission before the divinity, altruistic and selfless service to the mankind and being in UNITY among the souls….that enlightens the human life. It brings peace, balance and happiness in life. That is the most spiritual take away from Kumbha Mela.

May be that is why Kumbha Mela itself is  termed as the “University of spirituality” that opens for about two months in one place in every twelve year.  

 “I am unraveling the mysteries of Kumbh Mela by participating in the #TheKumbhMelaExperience activity at BlogAdda in association withAnugraha

(Images: Sources Google and http://thekumbhmelaexperience.com/)

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