KUMBH : A TRIBUTE TO FIRE - EARTH - WATER
BY KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA (APU), M.A.
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| BATHING IN ALLAHABAD |
Indian greatest pious disciples congregation in the world is celebrated every alternate four years in four different places viz. Nasik, Ujjain, Allahabad and Haridwar to free from ill power by dipping into the cold water of the Ganges. Subsequently along with most of the primary household works in many places like the Gangasagar, the Brahmaputra the bathing or the 'snan' is performed as a holistic ritual like everyday refreshment and wash away dust and mud from the body.
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| PEOPLE WARMING |
The sadhu or 'santha' from all over India take a holy dip during this MAKAR season and welcome the new non - calendar year of the MAHATA thought by ancient tradition believers, the year ending known as the 'magh mas', organised by the MAHANTA of the religious 'akhra'. During this period many countries celebrate their own new year day along with the Gregorian calendar. In every fourteenth day of January it is believed to the commencement of the New Year by many traditional followers of the MAHATA.
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| BONFIRE (KUMBH) |
On that occasion, from early in the morning the religious ritual is performed since the ancient period of the human existence. A holy dip into the water nearby river, pond, tank, reservoir or other resources, during the sun rising or the moment before sun shine this activity reduces the weakness of the mind. A sacrificing bonfire to the Universe followed by the bathe, destroys the ill - omens. The wood, plant branches, dry straw and many other inflammable subjects are used to make a douse which is called Kumha. After having bathe into the cold water, there are so many conic shaped 'kumbhas' looks like thatches or huts are lighted or flashed into fire on the river bank side by side besides offering prayer to the water for well wishing of everyone. That glittering bonfire of 'kumbha' light is devoted to the Almighty, where the so called sins of human beings are gutted into ashes. The mythological and astrological beliefs differ in realities. As the mythological concept of kumbha is no longer existed today. But the presence of 'kumbha' is literally a proof and source of origin of the word 'kumbha' festival spoken by a huge number of people in various corners of Indian subcontinents. On the otherhand, the lexicon meaning of the word 'kumbha' is a pitcher or a pot that does not match and propel the festivity of 'Mahakumbha'.
The sentiment of sovereignty in tradition and culture diversifies the ritual belief of people of various sects. On the same time, it amputates the self - inheritance tradition to unify the devotional sacrifice of a large section of religious disciples for a national and pilgrimage integrity. A
