Bizarre Weather as Millions of Hindus Converge for Holy Dip

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ALLAHABAD, Jan.2 (ANI): The venue of one of the biggest Hindu

congregations on the planet is wrapped in sheaths of fog and the

cold wave, affecting preparations that have been underway for weeks.

 

On the first day of the year, normal life in the holy city Allahabad

came almost to a standstill on Monday, as local administration and

visiting pilgrims alike, huddled around bon-fires and tried to stave

off the cold.

 

The event, in the holy city of Allahabad, is called the "Ardh Kumbh

Mela", which is celebrated every six years ahead of the Maha Khumbh

Mela, the biggest bathing festival of Hindus that comes after 12

years. The Ardh Kumbh Mela begins tomorrow (Wednesday).

 

People of Allahabad, who are engaged in making arrangements for the

festivities, are worried as the fog and cold is very heavy.

 

"It's really cold ... we are freezing," said Kanhaiya Lal, a barber

associated with tonsuring of pilgrims. "There is no arrangement. I

am not able to do any work, my hands have almost frozen. It's

already ten, and the Surya Bhagwan [the Sun God] hasn't appeared in

the sky as yet."

 

Officials are now turning up small fireplaces throughout the area to

keep the camping pilgrims warm.

 

The thick fog has also affected the train services, as many trains

have been cancelled or been delayed.

 

"Earlier, we were going to cancel them from December 31, but now

they will be cancelled from January 2 ... they will remain cancelled

till January 26," said R.K. Shrivatsav, Public Relations Officer for

the North-Central Railways.

 

Ardh Kumbh Mela starts from January 3 and last till February 26. The

fair will be held at Prayag where three holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna

and the mythical Saraswati meet.

 

Hindus believe bathing in the River Ganges during the festival

cleanses them of sin, speeding the way to the end of reincarnation

in this world and the attainment of nirvana, or afterlife.

 

Although millions of devotees from around the country and abroad are

expected to visit Allahabad during the 42-days, the organisers say

the biggest crowds are expected on seven special days including the

opening on Wednesday.

 

Allahabad in the Hindi heartland state of Uttar Pradesh is one of

four spots where Garuda, the winged steed of Hindu god Vishnu, is

said to have rested during a titanic battle with demons over a

pitcher of divine nectar of immortality.

 

Allahabad is also the site of the holy "sangam" or confluence of the

Ganges, the Yamuna and a third underground mythical river called the

Saraswati, named after the Hindu goddess of learning.

 

Garuda's flight lasted 12 divine days, or 12 years of mortal time,

leading to the celebration of the "Maha Kumbh Mela" every 12 years.

 

The midway point between two such celebrations is also considered

highly auspicious, as the position of the sun and the moon are the

same as during the "Maha Kumbh", mythology experts say.

 

The basic point of this (Ardh Kumbh) bathing fair is for pilgrims to

bathe at certain sacred spots on certain auspicious days. A large

tented city is erected and pilgrims stay at tents owned by Pandas

(religious and spiritual guides) and at various ashrams.

 

Others will just camp on the ground or turn up for the actual

bathing day.

 

Some of these bathing days are designated "royal," and it is on

these days that the Naga Sadhus (or,naked mendicants) parade and

bathe. On other days there will still be people bathing and other

events and random processions.

 

Many Himalayan saints, sages, seers, sadhus, and yogis will make

their rare appearance at Kumbh Mela in Prayag.

 

The main days for the holy dip are Paush Purnima (January 3), Makar

Sankranti (January 14), Mauni Amavasaya (January 19), Basant

Panchami (January 23), Magh Purnima (February 2) and Mahashivratri

(February 15 to 16).

 

Legend says gods and demons fought a celestial war, spilling

heavenly nectar at the confluence of three-rivers in Prayag.

 

The "Maha Kumbh Mela" in 1989 attracted 15 million pilgrims and the

Guinness Book of Records dubbed it the largest gathering of human

beingsfor a single purpose. It was only bettered by the festival in

2001 which drew between 50 and 70 million people.(ANI)

 

SOURCE: News India. By ANI Tuesday January 2, 03:09 PM

Millions of Hindus converge on Allahabad for the holy dip By

Virender Pathak

URL: http://in.news./070102/139/6arav.html