Kumbha Mela – The Largest Spiritual Gathering on Earth

This documentary, which I am posting to accompany the Ganges series, takes an intimate look at the Kumbha Mela that was held at Allahabad, a prayag which sees the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna and the Sarasvati Rivers, in January 2007.

At the time it was the largest gathering of humanity ever seen on Earth, with 71 million people visiting the festival in 45 days. Indeed the Kumbha Melas of 2001, 2007 & 2010 hold three out of the top five gatherings ever seen, and they are the largest spiritual gatherings anywhere.

The film, while explaining the Hindu beliefs and customs associated with the festival, is not above criticising certain sections of the gathering, such as the naked ascetics, who it describes – a little unfairly, I think – as noisy and arrogant.

While the festival is in progress a virtual city of tents to house the people is erected alongside the Ganges and over 5,000 different institutions put on teachings, chantings, singing, dancing and even martial arts to entertain and educate the populace.

Towards the end we briefly see the Dalai Lama attending the festival and speaking – as always – words of peace and harmony.

This video is hosted by Google Video, and will not be available after April 27th, 2011. If it is posted elsewhere I will update the embed.

Some Stills from the Documentary

Possibly Related Posts:

• Michael Anderson: Eating (A Plant Based Diet)
• Bronze Technology in Cambodia
• Reconstructing the Ruined Buddhist Complex of Banteay Chhmar
• Green – Death of The Forests
• Ocean of Wisdom – The Life of the Dalai Lama