The Maha Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, has come to a close in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, leaving behind empty grounds and a city gradually returning to normalcy. Over 60 crore devotees from across the world participated in the grand 45-day event, but now, with the conclusion of the festival, the site is wearing a deserted look.
The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a 15-day special cleanliness drive at the Maha Kumbh Mela grounds. The drive aims to clean the Sangam ghats, roads, and both temporary and permanent infrastructure. Vehicles are now allowed on the Mela grounds, and the thousands of tents that once housed pilgrims and saints are being dismantled.
Massive Clean-Up Operation Underway
The state government has deployed over 15,000 sanitation workers and 2,000 ‘Ganga Sewa Doots’ to restore cleanliness in the area. According to officials, all waste generated during the Mela is being processed and disposed of at the Baswar plant in Naini. Temporary pipelines, streetlights, and pavilions used by saints and devotees are being removed, along with 1.5 lakh temporary toilets installed during the festival.
Akanksha Rana, a special officer overseeing the clean-up, stated that ‘Swachhata Mitras’ and ‘Ganga Sewa Doots’ are actively participating in the sanitation efforts to maintain the sacredness of the site.
Maha Kumbh’s Global Recognition
This year’s Maha Kumbh set multiple Guinness World Records, including:
- The largest simultaneous river clean-up
- The highest number of volunteers participating in a single-site cleanliness drive
- The most participants creating handprint paintings in eight hours
Several dignitaries and celebrities, including President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs’ wife Laurene Powell Jobs, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, and actor Dakota Johnson, visited the Kumbh Mela. However, Powell Jobs was unable to take a holy dip due to allergies.
Maha Kumbh is not just a religious gathering but a historic event deeply rooted in tradition. The sacred event rotates between four locations in India—Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik, and Prayagraj—each situated by a holy river, from the Ganges to the Shipra, the Godavari, and the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati in Prayagraj.
Stampede Tragedy Mars Celebrations
Despite its spiritual significance, the event was marred by tragedy. On January 29, a stampede occurred at the Sangam area as thousands of devotees jostled for space to take a holy dip on Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days of the festival. The tragic incident left at least 30 people dead and 60 others injured.
The opposition has since criticized the BJP-led government, demanding accountability and a list of the deceased. The incident has reignited concerns over crowd management at massive religious gatherings.
Sources By Agencies