Kumbh Mela 2019: What does the largest human gathering on earth look like?

Kumbh Mela 2019: Largest Human Gathering On A Single Day Ever!
On 4th Feb’19, over 5 crores (50 million) pilgrims took holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya at Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India breaking the world record for the largest human gathering on a single day ever! I photographed this incredibly historic event as it happens and sharing some exclusive photographs with you all.


Kumbh Mela is a mass Hindu pilgrimage of religious faith in which Hindu people gather from all around the world to bathe in a holy river. Traditionally, four fairs are widely recognized as the Kumbh Melas: the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela, Haridwar Kumbh Mela, the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha, and Ujjain Simhastha.

Hindus believe bathing at the confluence of the sacred Ganga and Yamuna rivers will cleanse their sins and bring salvation.

The naga babas are the most fascinating type of sadhus and also the most feared ones. They are ardent followers of Lord Shiva, wear no clothes, smear ashes on their bodies and have long dreadlocks. They are very respected and have a reputation due to which these are the first people to bath in the holy Sangam.

Sharing some photo of vibrant villagers who travel from different parts of the country to gather at Kumbh for the holy bath at the Sangam, a confluence of rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati.

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Hello @Saurabh_Narang ,

Thank you for sharing this great gathering, a side from bathing is there any other activities or entertainment during this event?

By the way, I removed some photos that contains nudity, we understand this is part of the event but it is against our program rules and in addition to that, I will relabel it to the Local Stories topic to get the right attention.

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Hello @AngieYC

Thanks for your response and for informing me about it. I will take care of such things in future. Though bathing is a major attraction people also come for yoga, meditation, local food, bird watching, and boat rides.

@Saurabh_Narang great dear. Nice cliks

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Thanks for sharing about Kumbh Mela @Saurabh_Narang

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Thanks for appreciating my work :slight_smile: @DrYashPaulSharma @AbdullahAM

Hello @Saurabh_Narang ,

Thank you for your cooperation in that matter, though I really enjoy reading your post because this is something different and by the picture you provided there are a lot of people who gather together and take part in the holy event.

Is this an annual event that always happening every year?

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@AngieYC Thanks for your interest in my story. It’s not an annual event and the Maha (Mega) Kumbh happens once in every 12 years followed by an Ardh (Half) Kumbh after six years. So. the last Maha Kumbh happened in Allahabad (Prayagraj) in 2013 and now after six years, Ardh Kumbh is happening at the same location. This event runs for more than a month, this time it started on 15th Jan and will end on 5th March. Also, this time it has broken all other world records as 50 million + people gathered on a single day on 4th Feb being it a special religious occasion and in total, 150 million+ people are estimated throughout the duration of Kumbh. It’s Huge!

Being their one could easily sense the power of faith in God looking at so many people taking all the pains to travel to this place and let me tell you it’s very inconvenient to be one in such a crowded place. In previous Kumbh, people have died and lost their loved ones. But Hindus believe bathing at the confluence of the sacred Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers will cleanse their sins and bring salvation.

I am leaving you with another photo of a tent facility where thousands of people are sleeping one over another! I visited at least 20 more such tents.

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Hello @Saurabh_Narang ,

I am truly mesmerized by this holy tradition and no wonder millions of people gathered here because the event only happens once every twelve years.

Since the event runs for more than one month do people stay there and join the event for the whole month or you can visit for one day and go back?

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@AngieYC People keep arriving and departing as their main purpose for coming is to take the holy bath. Most of them prefer to stay for a couple of nights and enjoy the festivities and other attractions. A very few stays for an entire events. All kind of accommodations are available from free to luxury tents that goes upto 500 $.

Are you thinking to visit?

Hello @Saurabh_Narang ,

Thank you for your further explanation about this event and I am sure other Local Guides will be very interested to read about this.

I am still planning my travels, I personally love cultures, traditions and histories and here on Connect I always learn something new from Local Guides like you. So, if my plan is settle India is in that list.

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You’re welcome @AngieYC

You must travel to India as we have a very diverse and rich culture. I will be soon sharing stories from India’s only African tribe that documented early this year. In case you’re planning India then do let me know - I would love to host you and show you my beautiful country. I also lead photo tours around exotic remote locations in India - in case you’re interested.

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Hello @Saurabh_Narang ,

I can’t wait to hear more great stories from you and thank you for the warm hospitality, will definitely keep in touch in the future.

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Largest human gathering on earth…UNESCO Heritage site

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Kumbh 2019

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During the time of kumbh… Prayagraj dn’t only reflect its culture during daytime but it also shows some of the best views after sun sets…

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Good

hi

as i said the MAHA KUMBH is the biggest festival in the world.

approx 200 million to 250 million’s of people’s come’s all over the world for taking deep Holy Bath in MAA GANGA RIVER. it’s started before 525 isa years. It’s not jut only a river it’s a Goddess MOTHER in River.

it’s one of the largest live river in india and flow from Himalyas to across 5 states. it has a very sweet water when in flow from himalayasmn but as it running and riches state by state its gone more dirty and smelly but now after 2014 election BJP party making victory in history and presenting mr. NARENDRA DAMODARDAS MODI as a PRIME MINISTER of INDIA he was lunching many Project’s

to clean MOTHER GANGA river.

now about kumbh festival it’s come every 3 year’s and celebrated different palaces 1. PRAYAG 2. UJJEN 3. NASIK 4. HARIDWAR.

every 3 years it’s called KUMBH and after 6 years it’s called Ardh (Half) KUMBH and after 12 years it’s called PURN (MAHA) KUMBH that’s upcoming in 2025.

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