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Extent of ‘Kumbh Mela’
More than 5 crore devotees come to the bank of River Ganga to attend ‘Maha-Kumbh Mela’ that comes every 12th year and is the largest religious fair in the world. On this occasion, many scholars, hermits, Shankaracharyas of various ‘Peethas’, ‘Sadhus’ of 13 ‘aakhaadaas’, Saints, Mahatmas and Mahamandaleshwar come here.
Main reasons for Hindus attending ‘Kumbh Mela’
Many Hindus come to ‘Kumbh Mela’ with the wish of purifying their mind, to destroy their sins, to liberate from the cycle of birth and death, attain ‘Moksha’, become immortal etc.
Existing and expected role of media !
Existing Role : ‘Sadhus’ and Saints take out processions with much pomp and fare during ‘Kumbh Mela’. Newspapers and news channels give priority to news related to bath in River Ganga. How many people had bath; who had bath first, who had bath in the end is the main topic of discussions.
Expected Role : People staying at Haridwar are always near River Ganga and take a dip in the river every day; but they don’t achieve immortality or attain liberation. This is not the true form of Dharma. Discussions should be held on ‘Dharma’ or knowledge so as to explain the true form of ‘Maha-Kumbh Mela’ to all so that they can take spiritual benefits.
Expectations from Hindu ‘Dharmacharyas’
Millions of devotees gather for religious holy bath in River Ganga during the biggest ‘Maha-Kumbh Mela’ in the world held for 3 and half months. These people should be told time and again, the basic principles of Manu and about the ‘Vedic Dharma’, i.e. the root of all religions.
विद्यातपोभ्यां भूतात्मा बुद्धिज्र्ञानेन शुध्यति ।।
– मनुस्मृति, अध्याय ५, श्लोक १०९
Meaning : Water purifies only body; Truth purifies the mind; knowledge and ascetic practice purifies the soul whereas learning purifies the intellect.
Expectations from those who revere Ganga River
‘Ganga’ and Yamuna’ are the two important rivers in India. As per one report, these rivers are most polluted. The two main reasons for Ganga River being polluted are chemical effluents coming from industrial companies and business houses, other trash and plastic bags containing ‘puja’-material thrown by people in the river in the name of Dharma. During 1985 to 2000, Indian Government spent Rs. 10000 millions under its project for purification of River Ganga; even then, the most sacred Indian River Ganga is still polluted. As per the report of the Planning Commission, Rs. 7000 crores are required to free River Ganga from pollution. We want to save Ganga River which is worshipped by billions of people in this country and everyone should take initiative in this drive.
