The world’s largest religious holiday begins in India with the participation of more than 400 million people
On January 13, the six-week long Maha Kumbha Mela festival, also known as the “Feast of the Great Jug”, begins in India. This Hindu sacred event will be the largest gathering of people in the world, with an estimated attendance of over 400 million. About this informs Reuters.
For six weeks, in the city of Prayagraj, located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, people will perform rites of immersion in the sacred waters at the confluence of three rivers: the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. Hindus believe that such immersions cleanse from sins, and during the Kumbha Mela they grant freedom from the endless cycle of births and deaths known as the “wheel of Sansara”.
For local authorities, the organization of such a large-scale event is a serious challenge. An area of 4,000 hectares along the river banks has been transformed into a temporary city for visitors. There are 150,000 tents, 3,000 kitchens, 145,000 toilets and 99 parking lots.
Indian Railways has provided transportation for the participants by running 98 special trains that will make 3,300 trips during the festival. About 40,000 police officers and cyber security specialists provide security for the event. A system based on artificial intelligence has been created to monitor and navigate guests.
