Kumbh Manthan

P.S. Chauhan

The legend has it that the Kumbh is held at four places, including Haridwar, which were sanctified by drops of elixir from Amrit Kalash that had emerged during Samudra Manthan. The truth is that when intellectuals gather at sacred places for churning of thoughts, they end up giving a new direction to the entire humanity. It is this quest for immortal thoughts and eternal verities of life and the reason of holding the Kumbh.

Thus, the Kumbh Parv is not only about performing some rituals or just a spectacle of glamorous Peshwaees and Shahi Snans and not just a confluence of lakhs of devotees. Its significance lies deeper in the backdrop of all the rituals and rites. Kumbh, is a tryst of saints and seers for brain storming sessions on vital issues confronting the society. To some extent the same is happening in the ongoing Kumbh at Haridwar too. In the medley of issues that are being discussed by the sant community, five issues have emerged prominently.

Saving the Ganga: This issue is confronting entire society and the need of the hour is to save our rivers and keeping them pollution free. The All India Akhara Parishad, apex body of all the 13 akharas of different sects, has raised this issue in a big way. The Parishad has been holding meetings and conventions of the sant community to create social awareness on the issue.

"Declaring Ganga a national river is not enough. It should be declared a national heritage and strict laws must implemented to maintain her purity. Masses in general should also come forward to protect the Ganga and other rivers as well," says Mahant Gyan Das, the president of the Parishad. Swami Avdheshanand Giri, the Acharya Mahamandleshwar of the Juna Akhara is organizing an International Jal Sansad to discuss water crisis to suggest ways to save our water resources from depletion and pollution.

Yoga: Indeed, yoga is one the economic pillars of the region and during Kumbh some lobbies are even propagating yoga and meditation for a healthy and peaceful living as well. Swami Chidanand Muni Ji Maharaj of Rishikesh, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism organized a weeklong International Yoga Festival, which was attended by a large number of people. Close on the heels of this festival, Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya also organized a weeklong International Festival of Yoga and Spirituality. "Occasions like Kumbh provide a platform to learn the niceties of our ancient wisdom," says Dr. Pranav Pandya, the chancellor of the Vishwavidyalaya. Through his camps, Sri Sri Ravishankar is also emphasizing on the efficacy of yoga and meditation, which are essential components of the art of living.

Fighting Corruption: Besides giving the message of yoga, Swami Ramdev has launched a campaign in a big way during the Kumbh to weed out corruption form political and social life. He is trying to instil a sense of pride and exhorting people to weed out corruption from all sections of soecity. He has decided to launch a political party for the same cause.

Global Warming: Another current issue taken up by some saints is of global warming and environment protection. Soham Baba of Netherlands and his followers, including a large number of foreigners, have taken out big rallies, with placards and banners to warn the people of the dangers of global warming. His followers are also collecting plastics items from different places in the city. They are also roaming in the mela area, distributing saplings to the pilgrims and requesting them to plant them after they go back to their destinations.

Female Foeticide: If Soham Baba is busy creating social awareness on global warming, Shani Peethadheeshwar of Delhi, Daati Maharaj, has taken up the cause of awakening the conscience of society on the issue of female foeticide. He has put up hoardings in the entire mela area to convey this message and urging the pilgrims to give up the heinous crime of killing female foetus. The founder of Bharat Mata Mandir and former Shankar-acharya, Swami Satyamitranand Giri Ji Maharaj is also organizing conferences to preach gender equality and proper respect to womenfolk.