Posted on Jan 13, 2025
India gears up for world’s largest public gathering | Semafor
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The world’s largest public gathering — the Maha Kumbh Mela — begins this week in India.
More than 400 million people are expected to take part in the six-week Hindu festival, which is held at an astrologically determined time every 12 years or so.
Attendees celebrate with a ritual dip in sacred waters at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati rivers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, which has aggressively promoted Hindu religiosity, has essentially built a pop-up city for attendees, with 145,000 restrooms, 3,000 kitchens, and nearly half a million electricity connections.
It is a test of crowd management — Western researchers are reportedly attending to study the event’s infrastructure — as such a huge gathering comes with corresponding risks: A stampede at 1954’s festival killed hundreds.
More than 400 million people are expected to take part in the six-week Hindu festival, which is held at an astrologically determined time every 12 years or so.
Attendees celebrate with a ritual dip in sacred waters at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati rivers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, which has aggressively promoted Hindu religiosity, has essentially built a pop-up city for attendees, with 145,000 restrooms, 3,000 kitchens, and nearly half a million electricity connections.
It is a test of crowd management — Western researchers are reportedly attending to study the event’s infrastructure — as such a huge gathering comes with corresponding risks: A stampede at 1954’s festival killed hundreds.
India gears up for world’s largest public gathering | Semafor
Posted from semafor.com
India
Religion
Posted 11 mo ago
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CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana
They cleansed the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers ahead of this Maha Kumbh.
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CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana
You must visit India for the next Kumbh, SSG William Jones and take that holy dip in Ayodhya or Haridwar. Haridwar has purer water right from the source - a chilled experience.
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Only 400 people, Lt Col Charlie Brown Ma'am? The Maha Kumbh comes once every 144 years and there were thousands in attendance to take the holy dip in the confluence. The holy dip is believed to erase all evil and forgive all sins. People came from all walks of life, different religious preferences, and from separate cultures to witness the once in a lifetime occurrence. Many foreigners partook in the celebration and took the holy dip too. It is believed to be a blessing from Heaven.
The only unforeseen incident and the unforgettable moments during the Maha Kumbh was the stampede which occurred.
The only unforeseen incident and the unforgettable moments during the Maha Kumbh was the stampede which occurred.
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