Prayagraj: The Maha Kumbh will begin with the auspicious Paush Purnima bath on Monday marking the start of Kalpvas at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj.
The grand spiritual festival of Sanatan faith, Maha Kumbh, is expected to attract 40 to 45 crore devotees, who will immerse themselves in the holy confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.
Along with the ritual bath, millions of devotees will also observe the ancient tradition of Kalpvas at the Sangam. According to ancient beliefs, devotees will observe Kalpvas for one month, strictly adhering to the prescribed rituals.
The Prayagraj Mela Authority has made special arrangements to ensure a smooth and spiritual experience for the devotees during this sacred observance.
The Maha Kumbh is not only the largest event of Sanatan faith but also a carrier of many Sanatan traditions. One significant tradition of Maha Kumbh is the observance of Kalpvas at the Sangam.
According to ancient beliefs, Kalpvas begins on Pauush Purnima and continues for a month until Magh Purnima. In this Maha Kumbh, Kalpvas will start on January 13 and continue until February 12 at the Sangam.
During Kalpvas, devotees live at the Sangam for a month with dedication and discipline. They take three holy dips in the Ganga, engage in chanting, meditation, worship and attend spiritual discourses. It is estimated that around 10 lakh devotees will observe Kalpvas during Maha Kumbh.
To facilitate the observance of the special Maha Kumbh tradition of Kalpvas, the Prayagraj Mela Authority, under the guidance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has made all necessary arrangements.
Around 1.6 lakh tents for Kalpvasis have been set up along the banks of the Ganga, from Jhunsi to Fafamau. These tents are equipped with electricity and water connections, along with toilets. Temporary roads, covering approximately 650 kilometers with checker plate and 30 pontoon bridges, have been built to ensure easy access to the tents.
In line with CM Yogi’s directives, Kalpvasis will have access to ration and cylinders at affordable rates. Special ghats have been built for holy dips in the Ganga, with security measures like water police deployment and river barricades in place.
To protect devotees from the cold, arrangements for bonfires have been made, while hospitals have been set up within the Mela area to address health issues. The Tirthpurohits and Prayagwals conducting Kalpvas rituals have also been provided with special facilities.
