Ash-Smeared Ascetics Lead the Majestic Bathing Rituals at India's Kumbh Mela Festival
Sacred rituals attract millions as Naga sadhus and pilgrims converge at the Ganges for a spiritual spectacle.
At dawn on Tuesday, the Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj witnessed a breathtaking spectacle as ash-smeared Naga sadhus (Hindu holy men) charged into the sacred waters of the Ganges River. The naked ascetics, chanting religious hymns and invoking Hindu deities, plunged into the icy river for a ritual believed to cleanse the soul and bring salvation.
After emerging from the waters, some of the holy men rubbed silver sand over their bodies, while others carried swords, tridents, and even a silver staff adorned with a snake head. This ancient tradition marks the second day of the 12-year Kumbh Mela festival, attracting millions of pilgrims from across the globe.
By noon on Tuesday, approximately 16 million bathers had already participated in the sacred dip, following 16.5 million who bathed on the first day of the festival on Monday. Authorities expect the number of participants to reach 20 million on Tuesday alone, with a total of around 400 million people expected to attend over the next 45 days.
Hindus believe that bathing in the Ganges during Kumbh Mela purifies the soul, frees them from the cycle of birth and death, and cleanses them of their sins.
A Vibrant and Sacred Celebration
The Shahi Snan, or royal bath, on Tuesday is one of the most significant bathing days in the Kumbh Mela, attracting not only ascetics but millions of ordinary devotees seeking the blessings of the holy men. The event sees the Naga sadhus arrive in grand processions at the Sangam, the sacred confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. For the devotees, the water is believed to be imbued with the purity of the saints' spiritual deeds and thoughts.
The large and colorful processions of the ascetics, carrying weapons such as tridents and swords, as well as chanting hymns, are one of the most anticipated parts of the festival. Alongside these holy men, millions of pilgrims from all walks of life have arrived to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime event. Authorities have constructed a massive tent city on the riverbanks, spanning over 4,000 hectares, to accommodate the visitors.
A Celebration Rooted in Mythology
The origins of Kumbh Mela are deeply intertwined with Hindu mythology. The festival commemorates the battle between the gods and demons over a pitcher of nectar that emerged during the churning of the ocean. As the gods and demons fought over the elixir, a few drops spilled over and fell in four cities—Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik—where the Kumbh Mela is held.
This year’s festival is being regarded as especially significant due to rare planetary alignments, making it a "Maha Kumbh" or great Kumbh, according to Hindu seer Mahant Ravindra Puri. The ascetic leader believes that the sacred river waters are imbued with divine nectar, blessing all those with faith who partake in the holy bath.
Crowd Management and Challenges
Despite the grandeur of the event, the authorities have faced significant challenges in managing the vast crowds. On Tuesday, Mahant Prayag Puri Ji of Juna Akhara expressed frustration with the overcrowding. "The crowds were overwhelming, and we were pushed and shoved when we went for the bath," he said. "I fell down and hurt my foot in the chaos."
Officials are working hard to control the situation, particularly during the Shahi Snan, but the sheer number of pilgrims makes the task daunting. The largest gathering is expected on January 29, with an estimated 50 to 60 million people anticipated to bathe that day.
The Pilgrimage Experience
For many pilgrims, visiting the Kumbh Mela is a long-awaited spiritual journey. Mavaram Patel, a businessman from Tamil Nadu, expressed his joy at fulfilling a lifelong dream to visit the festival. "It has always been on my bucket list," he said. "Kumbh Mela is a key part of Hindu tradition, and it is an honor to be here to pray for the happiness of my family and the world."
Chitiya Ahirvar, a 60-year-old woman visiting from Madhya Pradesh, also joined the massive crowd to offer prayers for her children's well-being. "I prayed to the river goddess for their happiness," she said, after bathing in the holy waters.
As the Kumbh Mela continues, millions of devotees, both ascetic and ordinary, immerse themselves in the river, hoping to purify their souls, attain salvation, and become part of this grand spiritual tradition.