27 Days
to Go: Reclaiming Sacred Grounds – The Ganga’s Shift and the Battle for 4,000
Hectares
Only 27 days to go for the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh 2025.
As the deadline for the Prayagraj
Maha Kumbh 2025 approaches, thousands of workers are working multiple shifts to welcome the devotees and visitors.
'It’s a 24-hour mission'
Between the last Kumbh Mela in
2019 and the upcoming Maha Kumbh in 2025, the Ganga River shifted approximately
200 to 500 meters to the right, washing away 3,200 hectares of land.
As the first rays of dawn touch
the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati in
Prayagraj, thousands of workers begin their arduous task — shaping the
sprawling grounds that will host the Maha Kumbh 2025.
Their mission: to transform
reclaimed land into a divine city ready to welcome crores of pilgrims.
Between the last Kumbh Mela in
2019 and the upcoming Maha Kumbh in 2025, the Ganga River shifted approximately
200 to 500 meters to the right, washing away 3,200 hectares of land. To ensure
the event's grandeur, authorities undertook a colossal reclamation project,
restoring the lost land and adding 800 hectares more, totaling 4,000 hectares.
Please note that the original
lost land has been restored for the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh 2025, and another 800 hectares have been added.
This is a massive restoration
process, in which multiple infrastructure agencies are involved.
Any Plans to visit?
The core mela area is a Pop-up Tent City, so the infrastructure has to be built from the ground up.
"We are building something
sacred," said Ramesh Yadav, a laborer. "When we see this land
becoming a spiritual city, we feel like we are contributing to history."
Work has been relentless since
October, with experts from the Irrigation Department collaborating with the
Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, to channel the Ganga and create new
ghats. "The erosion reduced available land significantly compared to
2019," said Mela Adhikari Vijay Kiran Anand. "Through dredging and
channeling, we restored the banks, ensuring more space for pilgrims."
The Kumbh Mela brings together
millions of devotees, ascetics, and seekers, all coming to partake in sacred
rituals, the most significant being the holy dip at the Triveni Sangam. This
cleansing bath is believed to purify the soul, absolve sins, and guide one
toward spiritual liberation.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, often
celebrated as the largest spiritual gathering in the world, is a grand
expression of devotion, faith and ancient traditions. Rooted deeply in Hindu
mythology, this extraordinary festival is held once every 12 years across four sacred
cities — Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik, and Prayagraj — each located along the banks
of India’s holiest rivers: the Ganga, Shipra, Godavari and the confluence of
the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati.
The Kumbh Mela brings together
millions of devotees, ascetics, and seekers, all coming to partake in sacred
rituals, the most significant being the holy dip at the Triveni Sangam. This
cleansing bath is believed to purify the soul, absolve sins, and guide one
toward spiritual liberation. The festival is not only a celebration of India’s
deep spiritual heritage but also symbolises the universal human pursuit of
inner peace, self-realisation, and collective harmony.
A Historic Gathering
The Mahakumbh, set to commence on
January 13, 2025, at the Sangam (confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical
Saraswati), will continue until February 26.
This religious pilgrimage, held
every 12 years, alternates between Haridwar, Ujjain, Nasik, and Prayagraj. This
year’s edition is expected to attract millions of visitors from across the
globe.
The state’s comprehensive efforts
reflect its commitment to making the Mahakumbh 2025 a memorable and inclusive
celebration.
The Kumbh Mela is a Hindu
religious pilgrimage and one of the world's largest religious fairs.
It's a time for devotees to bathe
in the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers to cleanse themselves of sins and
gain spiritual merit.
Some key dates for the 2025 Kumbh
Mela include:
January 13, 2025: Paush Purnima -
Monday
January 14, 2025: Makar Sankranti
(First Shahi Snan) - Tuesday
January 29, 2025: Mauni Amavasya
(Second Shahi Snan) - Wednesday
February 3, 2025: Basant Panchami
(Third Shahi Snan) - Wednesday
February 4, 2025: Achla Saptami -
Thursday
February 12, 2025: Maghi Purnima
- Wednesday
February 26, 2025: Maha Shivratri
(Final Snan) - Wednesday
The Kumbh Mela is celebrated four
times every 12 years in four different locations in India.
The location of the Kumbh Mela
rotates between the four pilgrimages on sacred rivers.
Disclaimer: These are my personal thoughts only.
The only Joy is ‘World Safe ePay Day’, and
‘World Blouse
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Safe and Stylish:
Unveiling World SafeePay and Blouse Day Delights
The need for observing World
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celebrations for these concepts.
World SafeePay Day aims to
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On the other hand, World Blouse
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chosen theme. This display celebration not only promotes a sense of unity but
also serves as a unique and creative expression of shared identity through
clothing.
