NEW DELHI, INDIA, May 10, 2018 (Daily Addaa): The dates for the major bathing days when millions will take a dip in the sacred waters of the Ganga during the 50-day Ardha (half) Kumbh Mela in January next year in Uttar Pradesh’s Allahabad has been announced. The Prayagraj Mela Pradhikaran, a committee formed by the state government for managing the annual Magh, Ardh Kumbh (”half” mela, every 12 years) and Kumbh Melas (every 12 years, off cycle of the half melas), said the religious gathering will start from January 14, 2019, with the first official bathing of Makar Sankranti and conclude with the last official bathing of Maha Shivaratri on March 4. The other official bathing days in the mega religious fair include bathing of Paush Purnima on January 21, Mauni Amavasya on February 4, Basant Panchami on February 10 and Maghi Purnima on February 19.
At least 150 million devotees and tourists are expected to attend the Kumbh Mela, which is among the 13 elements from India on UNESCO’s list of ”intangible heritage”. Preparations are underway for the Kumbh mela for which US$371 million has been allocated by the Union and state governments. The Union tourism ministry is organizing roadshows and participating in events especially in European countries to raise awareness about the mega religious fair overseas. The festival is held in the cities of Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik. The Kumbh Mela is held at one of these spots every four years, with the festival at Allahabad the holiest of them all.
INDIA, May 10, 2018 (Times of India): Karnataka’s mutts (monastic centers, ashrams) are power centers, each followed by a particular caste and can swing votes of entire communities. Though mutts claim they stay away from politics, most leaders endorse candidates for elections. Not just religious centres, they also run educational institutions, hospitals, orphanages, and are central to community life. Both Congress and BJP leaders packed mutt visits into the campaign trail. For an extensive list of mutts and their significance, see ”source” above.
Truth is one, paths are many. Stick to one path, but do not say to others that this is the only one. Recognize all other paths and respect them.
— Swami Satchidananda (1914-2002), founder of Integral Yoga Institute and Satchidananda Ashram
