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| magh mela |
Magh Mela is one of the oldest
religious fairs in India, held every year in the month of Magh
(January-February) at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the invisible
Saraswati rivers.
Ancient Origins
• The Magh Mela is traditionally
believed to date back to the Vedic period.
• The Puranas describe the great
merit of bathing at the confluence during Magh.
• It is said that even the gods
come to bathe at the confluence during the month of Magh.
Mythological Story
• Some drops of the nectar that
emerged from the churning of the ocean fell on Earth, and Prayag is one of
those places.
• This is why the confluence is
called Tirtharaj (King of Pilgrimage Sites), and the tradition of bathing in
Magh has continued.
• This fair is different from Kumbh
and Ardh Kumbh; its associated tradition has remained unbroken.
Magh Bath and Kalpavas
• Devotees take a dip in the
confluence every day during the month of Magh.
• Many saints and sadhus observe
Kalpavas for the entire month – a life of simplicity, self-discipline,
devotional singing, and charitable acts.
• The belief is that bathing in
Magh leads to the destruction of sins and the attainment of salvation.
Historical Mentions
• The Chinese traveler Xuanzang
described the grand religious gathering at Prayag in the 7th century.
• The Magh Mela continued to be
held during the Mughal and British periods as well.
• In independent India, it received
a well-organized national identity.
Modern Form
• Today, Magh Mela is not only a
religious but also a cultural festival – featuring discourses, processions of
akhadas (religious orders), folk art, yoga, and meditation.
• Millions of devotees from India
and abroad participate in it.
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