It is such a big matter of pride for Indians and especially for the country or nation that The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) listed Kumbh Mela as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Kumbh Mela, or great pilgrim fair is one of the most important of Hindu spiritual gatherings takes place once every twelve years or every three years in rotation between the four major Hindu pilgrim centers-Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik.
It was the 12th session of Intergovernmental Committee in favor of protecting the Intangible Cultural Heritage of humanity, which was held at Jeju, South Korea from 4-9 December. “This inscription of ‘Kumbh Mela’ is the third in two years including ‘Yoga’ and ‘Norouz’ on 1st December 2016.”The inscription of this mass festival of Hindus ´Kumbh Mela´ was approve by the genius body, which inspect all the nominations deeply, submitted by Member States.
The Committee observed that kumbh mela have some special meaning and have always glorified the rich culture and traditional beauty of India. It is the festival of the great urn is the symbolic to the attainment of Nirvana or freedom from the life cycle of birth and death. Under the same shack devotees and visitors from all the nook and corner of the globe come and participate in this huge grand event and take bath in the holy water of Ganga and end result is diverse exhibition of spiritual power which is an experience in itself.
One of the main rituals of this festival is the holy bath on the banks of rivers, Ganga and Yamuna in Allahabad, Kshipra in Ujjain and Godavari in Nashik.
The Committee also took note of the fact that this age old festival is also a knowledge spreading festival and this gyan or knowledge is spread through the teacher- student relationship. Sages and yogis teach their followers and chant continuously for the goodwill of humanity. Naga, hermit, sages and yogis gather in one place and perform the rituals, customs and conduct various activities including chanting of religious songs, bhajans, bunch eating of devotees, devotional assemblies, religious rallies and offering prayers in various temples.
At this time all of India’s yogi, sages, mendicants and fakirs come out of their potholes to enjoy the Kumbh Mela. It is thus, the massive religious assembly of mankind on the earth with a different fusion of religion and socio-cultural significance.
According to the ministry, “the Intergovernmental Committee observed that Kumbh Mela is the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims on earth”.
After disclosing this great news of inscribed Kumbh Mela on Unesco’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi congratulate Indians and said that it is such a matter of proud.
Mr. Narendra Modi tweeted, “A matter of immense joy and pride for India,”
The Kumbh Mela is the most widely attended spiritual event in the world and the next Maha Kumbh Mela is going to be held in Allahabad in the year 2019.
