PRAYAGRAJ, INDIA, January 31, 2025 (The Draft World, by G. Khergamker): The tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj has, predictably, become a global headline. While no one disputes the gravity of the incident, the international media’s response once again reveals a deep-seated bias—where calamities at Indian religious gatherings are framed as a consequence of mismanagement and chaos, but similar tragedies at global sporting events, concerts, or political rallies are seen as unfortunate accidents, devoid of any cultural judgment. Compare this with FIFA World Cups or the Olympic Games, which have witnessed infrastructural collapses, security breaches, stampedes, and even terrorist attacks. Yet, these are rarely scrutinized as systemic failures. Instead, the focus is on learning from mistakes and ensuring better preparedness in the future. Why, then, is a centuries-old event like the Kumbh Mela—which successfully manages the pilgrimage of over 400 million people in 44 days—not acknowledged for its unparalleled scale and organization?
At a time when mainstream narratives attempt to paint Hinduism as rigid or exclusionary, the Kumbh Mela shatters stereotypes, standing as a spontaneous, self-sustaining confluence of faith, devotion, and universal consciousness. There is no political authority, no central power, no forced conversions—just a spiritual gathering driven by an ancient understanding of humanity’s connection with the universe. In an age where materialistic progress is mistaken for civilizational superiority, the Kumbh Mela reminds the world of an ancient truth—that human consciousness extends beyond the visible, beyond science, and beyond the limitations of time and space. The 2025 Maha Kumbh stampede, while tragic, should not overshadow the remarkable feat of organizing a temporary city spanning 9,884 acres, with 150,000 tents, 3,000 kitchens, 145,000 restrooms, AI-enabled security, and over 40,000 personnel maintaining order. Yet, media outlets choose to highlight the stampede rather than the scale of success. If there is a lesson here, it is this: the Kumbh Mela must be understood beyond the Western framework of event management or tourism. It is a phenomenon beyond materialism, where faith and the cosmos intertwine in an ancient, unbroken dance of devotion.
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https://thedraftworld.blogspot.com/2025/01/a-testament-to-spiritual-grandeur-and.html