Kumbh Mela – Makar Sankranti

On the day of the first official Shahi Snan of the Kumbh Mela before going to the sangam for the snan, Pujya Swamiji led the pilgrims and yatris in clean-up programme on the banks of the sacred river to emphasize the beginning of Swachh Kumbh, a historic Mela with a Message.


Today on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti, the day the sun returns to the northern hemisphere, pilgrims from more than twelve countries came together under the leadership of Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, President Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh and Founder, Ganga Action Parivar and Global Interfaith WASH Alliance to have a sacred bath in the sangam of Prayag Raj, Kumbh Mela also to pledge to preserve and protect our Mother Nature and Mother Earth.

Pujya Swamiji reminds us that before we bathe in Ganga, we give a bath to the banks of Ganga out of our love and devotion for Her ever-flowing love and grace. Following the inspiring clean-up, the Pujya Swamiji led the yatris to the sacred sangam for a snan (bath) in the holy waters. “Kumbh is not an external exhibition, but is for internal Self discovery”, he said. Swamiji reminds us as we celebrate and purify ourselves, simultaneously we have to take care of our environment by keeping our sacred rivers and mother earth clean. He shares: “If we want to take care of our future, our culture and nature need to go hand in hand.”


Sadhvi Bhagawatiji shared about the significance of this auspicious day. “On Makar Sankranti we welcome the sun’s return to the northern hemisphere. As we welcome the sun (Surya) back to our cities, countries and our hemisphere, let’s not only be grateful for the return of the light and warmth of the external sun, but let us also remember to welcome our own internal light back. So many of us live in darkness — darkness of ego, ignorance, anger and separation. On this day let us welcome back the light of our true divine Selves.” As the devotees from across the world bathed in the sangam she said: “As you have your sacred dip (snan) in the sangam, it is an opportunity to bathe in the Divinity of your True Self.”


From January 14th to 24th February, 2019 Ganga Action Parivar & Global Interfaith WASH Alliance with Parmarth Niketan are hosting a beautiful, eco-friendly, environmentally focused camp in the Kumbh Mela at Prayag Raj, Uttar Pradesh at the sacred sangam (confluence) of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers.
Led by the vision, guidance and blessing of Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, the founder of Ganga Action Parivar and Global Interfaith WASH Alliance and President of Parmarth Niketan, the Ganga Action Parivar-Global Interfaith WASH Alliance – Parmarth Niketan Kumbh Mela camp has daily divine activities as well numerous inspiring, large-scale events to uplift and empower all, and to focus everyone on a theme of Culture, Nature and Future.

Click here to see photos!