Kumbh Mela - the world's most colossal spiritual event
In January 2007, approximately 60 million devotees descended upon the city of Allahabad to participate in the single most colossal gathering of humanity since the dawn of time.
So immense in numbers, past Kumbh Melas have been photographed from NASA’s space shuttle as millions of people descend on the Ganges River for a ceremony of ritual purification, to wash away their sins and speed their journey to Nirvana.
‘Inside Nirvana’ goes behind the scenes of this event, as pilgrims flood in from across India and create the largest temporary city on the planet.
To put the Kumbh Mela in perspective.. 2 million pilgrims descend on Jerusalem during Passover 4 million pilgrims attend Mecca during the month of Haj 60 million pilgrims descend on the town of Allahabad for the Kumbh Mela
The event planning for the Kumbh Mela is staggering. Authorities spend millions on planning, infrastructure, logistics and security. An entire city springs up along the banks of the river during the Kumbh Mela complete with markets, petrol stations, tea shops, ashrams, police stations and hospitals. In preparation for the gathering, orders for 13,000 tons of flour, 7,800 tons of rice and 5,000 tons of sugar are placed, while 20,000 toilet blocks are constructed.
The manpower required to service the event is on an equally massive scale. Five thousand sweepers and sanitation employees work around the clock to maintain health standards; 23,000 policemen, firemen, and the Indian National Guard keep constant vigil at checkpoints; 100 doctors and nurses are on call at all times at medical assistance stations.
During the six week festival the administration faces the possibility of disease pandemics, mass suicide threats, stampedes and terrorism. With such a mega crowd, the potential for disaster is tremendous.
For a short moment in time, the ephemeral city is home to the faithful, the rich and the homeless. The Kumbh Mela becomes a microcosm of the human experience, concentrated and squeezed into six weeks of sublime intensity. The stage is set for great drama, tragedy, joy and bliss.
As 60 million pilgrims flock to the city of God - they begin a journey that takes us from the world we know, to another world – inside Nirvana.
