The Maha Kumbh

 Maha Kumbh!

By Murali Murthy

An ensemble of believers of Sanathana dharma, seeking purification on this auspicious occasion with a rare celestial event of alignment of planets up above.

Saints and Sadhus are a prominent part of this ritual bath, with an intent and strong belief to attain Moksha by taking a dip in the holy confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati.

A spiritual confluence that has been practiced and followed for over 1000s of years.

The idea behind getting people from different sects of Hinduism is to share different ideas and to encourage dialog between different schools of thought.

Such events or similar power centers that attract millions of devotees, is another testimony that spirituality is personal. With some deriving energy, vibrations amidst chaos, while others attain similar spiritual contentment in a calmer, serene, intimate environment.

Unfortunately, such spiritual events are used by the politicians or politician's followers to push their agenda and take sheen away from such religious gatherings.

The visitors there must be empathetic towards localites and residents. I pity the residents who must be overwhelmed with such an inflow of people, and must be going through unimaginable inconveniences.

The traffic pileup there in and around Prayagraj is unfathomable, with constant influx of people. Yet, many good citizens recognize the obvious congestion due to pouring of people beyond the capacity of a City, and defending the Govt, that such congestion and traffic chokes are inevitable and devotees must live with it.

How I wish the incoming working class crowd into Bengaluru develops the same attitude, when what they get here is no less than what devotees get in Kumbh Mela - hope, survival, livelihood, income and a respectable lifestyle!

Instead of complaining, blaming the infamous traffic caused due to no.of people beyond it's capacity!

Who else can understand the pains of localites of Prayagraj, other than Bengalurians.

Our own local mela in Hebbal - Aeroshow! Apart from entertainment to people, and causing additional burden on our already disintegrating Traffic, what good is it serving the Indian aviation industry, is not visible to a common man.

The race to hit Kumbh Mela by the salvation seekers is unbelievable and indeed a mammoth event.

It's the belief system working at its best and it's foolish on anyone's part to question beliefs, as there is faith, trust and hope around the belief system. We are believers, and we strongly trust our beliefs.

In the end, the question is not about Ganga serving people's quest for soul purification and moksha, the question is will Ganga survive Kumbh Mela!?