A man in Jharkhand's Ramgarh district allegedly locked his sick mother at home and went to Prayagraj for a holy dip in Maha Kumbh with his wife, children, and in-laws, police said on Thursday.

The police rescued the 65-year-old woman, Sanju Devi, from a house in the Subhash Nagar colony under the Ramgarh police station area on Wednesday. The woman had been locked inside since Monday and had only survived on flattened rice (chura). Neighbours heard her crying for help due to hunger and informed the police.

Police rescue the elderly woman

Ramgarh Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Parmeshwar Prasad said, "The elderly woman, identified as Sanju Devi, was locked by her son, Akhilesh Kumar, in his CCL quarter since Monday. Kumar, along with his family, went to Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. She was rescued on Wednesday after her daughter informed police."

Akhilesh Kumar is an employee of Central Coalfields Limited (CCL). Another police officer stated that Kumar told them he had made all necessary arrangements for his mother’s food and water before leaving.

Sanju Devi’s daughter, Chandni Devi, lives about five kilometres away in Kahubera. She learnt about her mother’s condition from neighbours over the phone.

"Police rescued her after breaking the lock. The neighbours immediately gave her food. She was also given medicines and admitted to CCL hospital," Ms. Devi told reporters.

She also mentioned that her brother, Akhilesh Kumar, got a job in CCL on compassionate grounds and works as a shovel operator in Argada, Ramgarh district. The police are investigating the incident further.

What makes the Maha Kumbh Mela special?

The Maha Kumbh Mela is the rarest and biggest of all the Kumbh Melas. It happens only once every 144 years in Prayagraj, after twelve cycles of the Purna Kumbh. This event is very special because it happens when the planets are in very lucky positions. Many people, including pilgrims from all over the world, come to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime event. They gather at the holy meeting point of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers.

What is the mythological story behind the Kumbh Mela?

The Kumbh Mela comes from an ancient Hindu story called "Samudra Manthan," or the churning of the ocean. In this story, gods and demons fought over the Amrit, a magical nectar that gives immortality. During the battle, drops of this nectar fell at four places: Haridwar, Prayagraj, Ujjain, and Nashik. These locations became holy, and that's why the Kumbh Mela is celebrated at these sites to honour the story and its importance.

In short, the Kumbh Mela is a blend of tradition, faith, and deep spiritual meaning. Each version of the event—Ardh Kumbh, Purna Kumbh, and Maha Kumbh—offers different experiences for millions of people from all over the world.

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