Amma at Maha Kumbh Mela

16 Jan, Kumbh Mela, Allahabad, Uttarpradesh – Bharata Yatra 2013

After her programs in Delhi {news}, Amma and the tour group travelled more than 1500km over three days to the next stop on the tour in Calcutta. On the first day, Amma travelled by road with the group passing through Vrindavan and ending a long day of driving in Fatehpur. When the group arrived late at night Amma sat and had dinner with everyone. The next day the group would be passing through Allahabad, where the 2013 Maha Kumbh Mela is currently being held. This Maha Kumbh happens one every 12 years. The local organizers who were hosting Amma and the group in Fatehpur invited Amma to come to Kumbh Mela. Amma then asked her children who were all sitting around to raise their hands if they were interested to go to Kumbh Mela. Almost all raised their hands.

Amma asked the devotees to explain the significance of Kumbh Mela. The Maha Kumbh Mela is believed to be the largest religious gathering on earth. A lot of Sadhus and Mahatmas grace the occasion with their presence. The event is expected to attract more than 100 million people over 55 days.

Ganga is love, pure love. No one will ask how a mother’s milk tastes; its pure. – Amma

To everyone’s surprise, Amma told the group she would like to stop there the next day. So early the next morning the group left at 5 am and headed out to Sangam. Just after 8:30am all 10 tour buses and the rest of the ashram vehicles arrived at the Mela and got down for a morning bath at the Triveni Sangam. Before arriving at the river banks Amma took a walk around the Sangam (the temporary tent metropolis set up to house all the pilgrims). The news spread quickly that Amma was there and people started coming for Amma’s darshan.

Amma entered the chilly waters of the Ganga with the rest of the group and led everyone in chanting the Gayatri mantra several times and then immersing themselves completely underwater. Then all the tour group lined up one by one in the water and slowly moved towards Amma. When they reached her, she dunked each person underwater and all popped up very quickly a few feet away after the icy bath with a big laugh and smile on their face.
After everyone’s refreshing bath all re-boarded the buses and continued the journey onwards to Calcutta.

This is the first time Amma is visiting a Kumbh Mela festival.

There were several reporters and live TV channels stationed in Kumbh Mela. One of these reporters approached Amma and asked what she felt after her bath. Amma said “Ganga is love, pure love. No one will ask how a mother’s milk tastes; its pure.”

– Kannadi