The Maha Kumbh is not just a religious congregation, it is a celebration of faith, science and humanity. India's identity is deep-rooted in the spiritual wisdom of oneness through the alignment of the mind, body and soul. The 3 rivers, Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati symbolize the confluence of the forces of purity, devotion, and wisdom for our spiritual transformation. Therefore, the holy dip at the Triveni Sangam is an act of immersing oneself in the energy of consciousness by surrendering the ego and awakening to the truth, I Am Brahman.
A beacon of India’s spiritual leadership, the Maha Kumbh has evoked the interest of humanity globally. India’s ancient wisdom of oneness and culture of harmonious coexistence is evident from this open invitation to experience the cosmic alignment for inner peace and enlightenment. To welcome the world, from January 13 to February 26, Prayagraj has been transformed into a spiritual hub to accommodate about 400 million pilgrims and devotees. A temporary city spanning 4,000 hectares is meticulously designed with over 150,000 tents, modern sanitation facilities, special trains, and enhanced security measures, reflecting India’s organizational prowess and commitment to inclusivity and environment.
The celestial alignment of six planets with the Sun on January 25 makes this year's Kumbh Mela particularly significant. This cosmic event of spiritual significance and potency occurs once every 144 years. The alignment creates an electro-magnetic force that has the transformative power for humanity to rise spiritually. These planets reflect the energy centers or chakras in the human body. Through mindful meditation we can tune into the rhythm of the cosmic life force energy to find inner harmony and joy. The scale and science of the Maha Kumbh has inspired many academicians and others to study the peaceful confluence of science, math, philosophy, religion and culture.
I have just returned from Prayagraj, where the city is palpating with the energy of faith and hope. The sound of chants fills the air with peace and healing; the devotion of people walking miles to take the holy dip unites humanity with common purpose to experience consciousness; the presence of spiritual masters and ascetics renews faith in the oneness of life. Before taking the holy dip on the day of the planetary alignment, we prepared the body by centering internally to evoke consciousness. In the evening, we conducted a havan, a fire ritual to honor and facilitate the spiritual energy to rise through the body. The next morning, we experienced the dance of ecstasy by flowing freely in rhythm with our breath. I bow in reverence to the sages who have shared the profound wisdom of aligning within to transform spiritually and experience bliss, Ananda.
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