Every 12 years the festival carries the prefix “Maha,” which means great, as it’s the largest gathering of the Kumbh Mela that’s held every three years in one of four cities (Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik). Prayagraj is hosting the Maha Kumbh this time. The Kumbh draws upon Hindu mythology and the legend of demons and gods fighting over a pitcher containing the elixir of immortality. Hindus believe that taking a dip in the sacred river will cleanse them of sins, purify their soul and liberate them from the cycle of birth and death, as the ultimate goal of Hinduism is salvation. The Skanda Purana is widely cited to explain the origins of the Kumbh Mela. The Kumbh Mela has played an important part in history by mobilising and uniting society. In order to protect the society, the Hindus of the country have to stand united. Kumbh Mela in UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity underscores its global cultural significance. But this festival is likely to boost the ruling Hindu nationalist BJP’s past record of promoting Hindu cultural symbols for its support base.
