Ekta ka Maha Kumbh — the dawn of a new era

The Maha Kumbh has successfully concluded in the holy city of Prayagraj. A grand mahayajna of unity has been completed.

- NARENDRA MODI

When the consciousness of a nation awakens, when it breaks free from the shackles of a centuries-old mindset of subjugation, it breathes freely in the fresh air of renewed energy. The result of this was witnessed at the Ekta ka Maha Kumbh (Maha Kumbh of Unity) in Prayagraj since January 13.

On January 22, 2024, during the Pran Pratishtha of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, I spoke about devbhakti and deshbhakti—devotion to the divine and to the nation. During the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, gods and goddesses, saints, women, children, youth, senior citizens, and people from all walks of life came together. We witnessed the awakened consciousness of the nation. This was Ekta ka Maha Kumbh, where the sentiments of 140 crore Indians converged at the same place, at the same time, for this sacred occasion.

In this holy region of Prayagraj is Shringverpur, a sacred land of unity, harmony and love, where Prabhu Shri Ram and Nishadraj met. Their meeting symbolised the confluence of devotion and goodwill. Even today, Prayagraj inspires us with the same spirit.

For 45 days, I witnessed crores of people from every corner of the country making their way to the Sangam. The wave of emotions at the confluence kept rising. Every devotee came with one purpose—taking a dip in the Sangam. The holy confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati filled every pilgrim with enthusiasm, energy, and confidence.

This Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj is a subject of study for modern management professionals, planning, and policy experts. Nowhere in the world is there any parallel or example of this scale.

The world watched in wonder how crores of people gathered at Prayagraj at the banks of the confluence of rivers. These people had no formal invitations, no prior communication on when to go. Yet crores of people left for the Maha Kumbh of their own accord and felt the bliss of taking a dip in the sacred waters.