HISTORICAL TESTIMONIES
There are different quotes and notes from the seventh century DC up until our modern days, which speak about the impact and importance of the Maha Kumbhamela.
The BBC described the 2001 Maha Kumbh Mela as the biggest religious gathering in the world with more than 60 million people. This year in Hardwar, it is set to surpass that figure with more than 70 million expected from all over the world.
Numerous sects of Hindu priests and monks, schools of theology, and different confessions come together to discuss and debate the scriptures and concede initiations, as well as taking a holy dip in the river, naturally. It was such a gathering that Chinese traveller and historian Huang Tsang chronicled during his travels in India 629-645 DC during the reign of king Harshavardhana, the great importance of the Maha Kumbhamela and he mentions it pointing out the ancestral origins of this tradition.
For many sadhus and ascetics, this is a special moment to interact with other people especially those from the Naga (naked) sects who cover their bodies with ashes from the sacred fire ceremonias. Many of them are armed with spears, tridents, swords and sticks which gives them a fierce and primitive aspect as they march to the river in their hundreds evoking an equal mixture of fear, reverence and curiosity among the thousands who gather to watch.
Mark Twain wrote after visiting a Kumbh Mela in 1895:
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" Kumbha Mela es la más sagrada de todas las peregrinaciones. Miles de hombres y mujeres santos atienden a esta gran concelebración lo que la hace que este llena de asupicios. Numerosos Ascetas visten de color naranja y otros van completamente desnudos habiendo sido vistos algunos viviendo de tal manera hasta en el invierno en condiciones de lo más extremas".
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