Latest news with #GreatPitcherFestival
NBC News
27-02-2025
- NBC News
Indians throng last day of Maha Kumbh festival that drew 663 million
Authorities added security and enforced traffic curbs for the last day after many visitors complained of massive crowds that have choked traffic in the area, leading to jams stretching for miles. India has touted the Maha Kumbh, or Great Pitcher Festival, held once in 12 years, as a key religious event setting world records for the largest gathering of people. As many as 15.3 million people bathed on Wednesday, said authorities in the state of Uttar Pradesh, home to the festival, taking the total figure of celebrants to more than 663 million, or nearly twice the population of the United States. The last event in 2019 drew 240 million visitors, but this year's event, signified by the term 'maha,' or great, is rendered still more auspicious by a rare alignment of celestial bodies after 144 years. Indians from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ministers to business tycoons and television and film actors have participated, along with international figures such as Chris Martin of British rock band Coldplay. But a stampede last month, on the most auspicious day of the festival, killed dozens of people and injured several, marring authorities' efforts to ensure it went off smoothly. Devout Hindus believe the waters of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical, invisible Saraswati, which meet at Prayagraj, have the power to absolve them of sin.
Reuters
27-02-2025
- Reuters
Indians throng last day of Maha Kumbh festival that drew 663 million
NEW DELHI, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Large crowds turned out in northern India on Wednesday for the last day of the six-week Maha Kumbh Mela that drew a total of 663 million people seeking absolution of their sins by taking a dip in waters that devout Hindus consider sacred. Television images showed security officials trying to direct thousands of visitors around barricades in the temporary township set up in Prayagraj, close to the banks where three holy rivers meet. "There is a huge rush because it is the last day for all devotees to take a 'holy dip'," said Rahul, a devotee who gave only his first name. "Thankfully, we were lucky enough to take a holy dip today." Authorities added security and enforced traffic curbs for the last day after many visitors complained of massive crowds that have choked traffic in the area, leading to jams stretching for kilometres. India has touted the Maha Kumbh, or Great Pitcher Festival, held once in 12 years, as a key religious event setting world records for the largest gathering of people. As many as 15.3 million people bathed on Wednesday, said authorities in the state of Uttar Pradesh, home to the festival, taking the total figure of celebrants to more than 663 million, or nearly twice the population of the United States. The last event in 2019 drew 240 million visitors, but this year's event, signified by the term "maha", or great, is rendered still more auspicious by a rare alignment of celestial bodies after 144 years. Indians from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ministers to business tycoons and television and film actors have participated, along with international figures such as Chris Martin of British rock band Coldplay. But a stampede last month, on the most auspicious day of the festival, killed dozens of people and injured several, marring authorities' efforts to ensure it went off smoothly. Devout Hindus believe the waters of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical, invisible Saraswati, which meet at Prayagraj have the power to absolve them of sin.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Indians throng last day of Maha Kumbh festival that drew 663 million
By Tanvi Mehta NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Large crowds turned out in northern India on Wednesday for the last day of the six-week Maha Kumbh Mela that drew a total of 663 million people seeking absolution of their sins by taking a dip in waters that devout Hindus consider sacred. Television images showed security officials trying to direct thousands of visitors around barricades in the temporary township set up in Prayagraj, close to the banks where three holy rivers meet. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. "There is a huge rush because it is the last day for all devotees to take a 'holy dip'," said Rahul, a devotee who gave only his first name. "Thankfully, we were lucky enough to take a holy dip today." Authorities added security and enforced traffic curbs for the last day after many visitors complained of massive crowds that have choked traffic in the area, leading to jams stretching for kilometres. India has touted the Maha Kumbh, or Great Pitcher Festival, held once in 12 years, as a key religious event setting world records for the largest gathering of people. As many as 15.3 million people bathed on Wednesday, said authorities in the state of Uttar Pradesh, home to the festival, taking the total figure of celebrants to more than 663 million, or nearly twice the population of the United States. The last event in 2019 drew 240 million visitors, but this year's event, signified by the term "maha", or great, is rendered still more auspicious by a rare alignment of celestial bodies after 144 years. Indians from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ministers to business tycoons and television and film actors have participated, along with international figures such as Chris Martin of British rock band Coldplay. But a stampede last month, on the most auspicious day of the festival, killed dozens of people and injured several, marring authorities' efforts to ensure it went off smoothly. Devout Hindus believe the waters of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical, invisible Saraswati, which meet at Prayagraj have the power to absolve them of sin.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Yahoo
Factbox-Major stampedes in India over the years
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - At least 15 people, mostly women and children, died and 15 were injured in a stampede at New Delhi's main railway station, the chief minister of India's capital territory told reporters early on Sunday. Here is a list of previous major stampedes in India over the past 20 years, most of them at religious festivals or gatherings: JANUARY 29, 2025: Dozens were killed in a stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela, or Great Pitcher Festival, in northern India's Uttar Pradesh State, on one of the holiest days of the event as tens of millions of people gathered at the site in the world's biggest gathering of humanity. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. JANUARY 8, 2025: At least six people were killed and 35 injured in a stampede near one of India's busiest and richest temples, in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, after thousands of devout Hindus assembled there to secure free visit passes. JULY 2024: Around 121 people died after thousands of devotees rushed to get a closer glimpse of a Hindu preacher in the Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh state. JANUARY 2022: At least 12 died and more were injured in a stampede at the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir, after a huge crowd of devotees tried to enter the narrow shrine. OCTOBER 2013: Around 115 were killed and more than a hundred injured after a stampede at the Ratangarh temple in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh after more than 150,000 people gathered to celebrate Navratri, a nine-day festival that celebrates the Goddess Durga. FEBRUARY 2013: At least 36 Hindu pilgrims were killed in a stampede on the busiest day of the Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh in 2013. Of the dead, 27 were women, including an eight-year-old girl. MARCH 2010: At least 63 people, more than half of them children, were killed in a stampede triggered by a massive rush for free food and clothes at a Hindu temple in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, media reported. SEPTEMBER 2008: A total of 250 people were trampled to death at the Chamundagar temple in the northern desert state of Rajasthan as pilgrims gathered to celebrate Navratri. AUGUST 2008: At the mountaintop Naina Devi temple in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, about 145 Hindu pilgrims died after rumours of a landslide triggered a stampede. JANUARY 2005: More than 265 Hindu devotees were killed and hundreds more injured after a stampede at the Mandhardevi temple in Wai town in the western state of Maharashtra. The stampede was caused by slippery steps leading up to the temple, media reported at the time. (Compiled by Mayank Bhardwaj; Editing by William Mallard)
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Yahoo
World's largest religious gathering in India underway as hundreds of millions visit 45-day festival
The Maha Kumbh Mela, or Great Pitcher Festival, is drawing hundreds of millions of pilgrims and tourists to India. The 45-day festival, which began Jan. 13, is the largest gathering of humanity in the world. It is expected to draw approximately 420 million. That is about 200 times the number of Muslim pilgrims who participated in the annual Hajj in Mecca and Medina, Saudi Arabia, last year. It is so large it can be seen from outer space. According to Hindu scriptures, gods and demons once churned the cosmic ocean in search of the nectar of immortality. During this struggle, drops of nectar fell at four sacred sites. The spiritual Hindu festival takes place once every 12 years at one of those four locations. This year, it is being held in the city of Prayagraj in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. This year's event is considered particularly special because it aligns with a rare, once-in-a-century celestial configuration. World's Largest Religious Gathering Begins In India, Hundreds Of Millions Of Hindus Expected To Attend Throngs of devotees have been descending on northern India to take a dip at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers. Hindus, who account for nearly 80% of India's more than 1.4 billion people, believe a third invisible river, the mythical Saraswati, also meets at the confluence. Read On The Fox News App Legend holds that a dip in the holy waters will cleanse them of sins and grant salvation. Bathing occurs daily, but on the most auspicious dates, Naga Sadhus, Hindu ascetics, head into the holy rivers at dawn. Ava Poonawala, a resident of Mumbai, India, made the journey not as a pilgrim, but to "witness the world's largest religious event in our lifetime," she explained to Fox News Digital. She took an early 6 a.m. dip just as the sun was rising. After her chilly dip, she expressed feeling invigorated and at peace. "Everyone seemed to be there with one purpose," she told Fox News Digital. "And that was spiritual awakening." The Maha Kumbh Mela is a massive undertaking by any standard. To accommodate the tens of thousands of holy men, pilgrims and tourists, authorities have built a sprawling tent city on the riverbanks. It's equipped with more than 150,000 tents and toilets, 3,000 kitchens and 11 hospitals, as well as roads, electricity, water and communication towers. It covers some 15 square miles. About 50,000 security personnel, supported by artificial intelligence-powered cameras, are stationed in the city to maintain law and order and manage the crowds. "I was blown away by the incredible magnitude of this event," Poonawala told Fox News Digital. "It's just unimaginable how they put this all together." Stampede That Killed 121 In India Was Caused By Severe Overcrowding And Lack Of Exits, Authorities Say A predawn stampede broke out at the festival last week, reportedly killing roughly three dozen people and injuring many more. Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences to "devotees who have lost their loved ones" without specifying the number dead. Police reported the stampede occurred as hundreds of millions of pilgrims rushed to dip in sacred waters on the most auspicious day of the festival. Uttar Pradesh's chief minister said some devotees attempted to jump crowd management barricades, triggering the crush. The Kumbh's grand processions, which had been curtailed last week, have since resumed. Prior to the stampede, the festival saw a brief but large fire, which was quickly extinguished. At Least 30 Dead In Stampede At The Massive Maha Kumbh Festival In India, Police Say For many, the marvel of the Maha Kumbh Mela lies neither in the religious nor spiritual experience, but rather the cultural extravaganza. It not only brings together ash-smeared monks, naked ascetics and priests dressed head-to-toe in saffron. It also attracts tourists with selfie sticks and awed foreigners. Uttar Pradesh has gone to great lengths to promote this year's festival as a tourist event, offering luxury packages and experiences. The government even organized helicopters to shower flower petals on the saints and seers taking a holy dip. The state has allocated more than $765 million for this year's event. The Kumbh has drawn people from all strata of society, whether it be billionaires like Laurene Powell Jobs, the wife of the late Steve Jobs, or athletes like Olympic boxer Mary Kom. Bollywood stars and celebrities like Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and his fiancée, actress Dakota Johnson, have descended on the festival. Even royalty, like King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan, have made an appearance. On Wednesday, exactly a week after the stampede, Prime Minister Modi arrived in Prayagraj to take a sacred dip. The Kumbh Mela's popularity has steadily increased in size over the years as improved infrastructure and facilities have attracted more people. This year, for the first time ever, the massive event also boasts being plastic-free and eco-friendly. The festival is a significant test for India to showcase Hinduism and culture, as well as handle tourism and crowd management. "The ground was buzzing at all hours, right through the night into the morning," Poonawala said. "It was so surreal with such purity. I can't even begin to explain it."Original article source: World's largest religious gathering in India underway as hundreds of millions visit 45-day festival
