Hours before the first rays of sun kiss the holy waters at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati on Monday, the Maha Kumbh Mela will get off to magnificent start in Allahabad.
Naga sadhus, bearded, naked and dreadlocked sadhus run en masse into the waters, brandishing tridents, swords and sticks at auspicious times on the important bathing days. Women, in particular, are denied entry on the route that Naga sadhus take from their abode on the mela ground to the Sangam point.
It is only after the Nagas, followed by other “godmen”, have had their holy dip that ordinary folk are allowed to proceed to the Sangam for a dip which every pilgrim believes will help in washing away sins and attaining salvation.
The Kumbh Mela may draw well over 100 million pilgrims during the 55-day event — easily the biggest religious congregation in the world.
The five bathing days, known as “Shahi Snan”, are Makar Sankranti (January 14), Paush Purnima (January 27), Mauni Amawasya (February 10), Basant Panchami (February 15), Magh Purnima (February 25) and Shivratri (March 10).
The main bathing day, February 10, is likely to see over 35 million pilgrims gathering at the Kumbh Mela.