Elizabeth Dean: The Kumbh Mela Hindu Religious Pilgrimage

The Kumbh Mela Hindu Religious Pilgrimage
While researching the Allahabad Triveni as an example of a sacred place, gained knowledge on the Hindu pilgrimage the Allahab Siveni wich I found to eb very interesting. The Kumbh mela is a mass Hindu pilgrimage that occurs every 12 years. It consists of four locations, the first of which the Prayag, or Allahabad. The ancient origin of the Kumbh Mela tells a story of the demigods, and demons gathering to churn the ocean for 1,000 years to produce the nectar of immortality. Upon production of the nectar, the demigods were worried that th demons would steal their share so they hid a pot of the sacred nectar in four places which make up the four places of the pilgrimage. At each location a drop of nectar spilled from the pot and landed on earth, thus giving the point acquired mystical power. The Kumbh Mela is said to be "The worlds most massive act of faith," and attracts milliions iof pilgrims whose unfaltering faith, and unflinching trust in something sublinme gives them determination to complete this pilgrimage. I was so intrigued by this because I love the story of the dmenos and demigods and think it is a perfect exemplification of the idea of a "storied" place. The sites of the pilgriamge are created by the stories of the demigods. I am additionally impressed by the amounts of faith all of these pilgrims have that they have devoted their time to travel to these locations they believe hold religious significance as a result of thousand year old stories. It makes me respect the Hindu religion, and their followers and the act of pilgrimage itself.