A man from Delhi, identified as Arvind, took a desperate step to fund his trip to the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. On January 17, Arvind, also known as Bhola, stole expensive items and jewellery from three houses in Dabri's Rajpuri area.

When questioned by the Delhi Police’s burglary cell in Dwarka, Arvind revealed that he and his friends had planned to attend the spiritual gathering, but his family's financial struggles made such trips impossible. His father works as a labourer, his mother is a housemaid, and he has seven siblings.

Arvind’s theft was not his first offence. He has 16 cases of theft and burglary against him and was arrested for the first time in 2020. Police believe his stealing was partly driven by his drug addiction, which he tried to support through illegal activities.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, the biggest religious event in the world, started in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on January 13 and will continue until February 26. During this event, millions of Hindu devotees gather at the Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers meet. They believe that taking a holy bath in these rivers will wash away their sins and bring them spiritual peace.

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The Uttar Pradesh government expects an astounding number of over 40 crore pilgrims visiting from all around the world within these 45 days of spiritual congregation. Maha Kumbh Mela is an intricate tapestry of culture, tradition, and spirituality, which calls millions to its sacred waters.

Origins of Kumbh Mela: 

The origins of the Kumbh Mela date back to the eighth century and are attributed to the great Hindu thinker Adi Shankaracharya, who encouraged regular congregations of spiritual leaders and ascetics. He also started the system of monasteries and the 13 akharas—bands of warrior monks and sages.

Mythologically, Kumbh Mela is said to have originated with the Samudra Manthan, or the churning of the cosmic ocean, where gods and demons were looking for the elixir of immortality, Amrit. According to the Hindu epics, Lord Vishnu, disguised as Mohini, protected the Amrit from demons, and so drops of the nectar fell at four holy places: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. The rivers at these Tirthas are believed to give moksha, or liberation.

Types of Kumbh Mela: 

The Kumbh Mela is observed in different forms:

Purna Kumbh Mela is conducted every 12 years at the four holy places, which attracts millions.

Ardh Kumbh Mela: It is conducted every six years in Haridwar and Prayagraj.

Kumbh Mela is conducted every three years at four locations in a cycle.

Maha Kumbh Mela: The most significant, which occurs once in 144 years, marking the completion of 12 Kumbh Mela cycles.

It's unique in the fact that it marks a rare planetary alignment, and hence, it's the most auspicious since the last 144 years.