Kumbh Mela: A Sea of Devotees at the World’s Largest Religious Festival
A Staggering 420 Million Pilgrims Have Already Bathed at the Triveni Sangam
India’s government has announced that more than 420 million pilgrims have ritually bathed at the world’s largest religious festival, the Kumbh Mela. According to estimates from organizing authorities, this figure is calculated using artificial intelligence and surveillance cameras. While this number is staggering, even for the world’s most populous nation of 1.4 billion people, it is not possible to independently verify the figure.
A Festival of Prayer and Bathing
The Kumbh Mela is a six-week-long Hindu celebration of prayer and bathing held every 12 years in the northern city of Prayagraj. The festival has more than two weeks yet to run, ending on February 26. The ritual bathing at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers is believed to bring salvation to the pilgrims.
Politics and Religion Entwined
Religion and politics are deeply intertwined in India, and critics argue that the festival is being promoted to burnish the credentials of Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who himself took a ritual dip on Wednesday. Modi’s close ally Yogi Adityanath, also from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is a firebrand monk and chief minister of Utter Pradesh state, where the festival is taking place.
Managing Crowds with AI
The organizers of the festival are using a network of cameras and overhead drones, with AI systems crunching data to calculate the number of devotees and manage crowds. However, this did not prevent a deadly stampede on January 29 that killed at least 30 people and injured 90 others.
A Chaotic and Deadly Stampede
The deaths took the sheen off Adityanath and his government’s claims of stellar management of the event. Officials insisted for hours that no one was seriously injured, despite graphic television footage from the scene. The incident has raised concerns about the safety and organization of the festival.
The Significance of the Kumbh Mela
The festival is rooted in Hindu mythology, a battle between deities and demons for control of a pitcher containing the nectar of immortality. Pilgrims believe that the ritual bathing helps them attain salvation.
Conclusion
The Kumbh Mela is a significant event in Hinduism, and the numbers attending this year’s festival are a testament to its enduring popularity. While the use of AI and surveillance cameras to manage crowds is innovative, it is clear that more needs to be done to ensure the safety of the thousands of pilgrims attending the festival.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: How many people have attended the Kumbh Mela this year?
A: According to the government, more than 420 million pilgrims have already bathed at the Triveni Sangam. - Q: What is the significance of the Kumbh Mela in Hinduism?
A: The festival is rooted in Hindu mythology, a battle between deities and demons for control of a pitcher containing the nectar of immortality. Pilgrims believe that the ritual bathing helps them attain salvation. - Q: What measures are being taken to manage crowds at the festival?
A: The organizers are using a network of cameras and overhead drones, with AI systems crunching data to calculate the number of devotees and manage crowds.