From Kumbh to heaven direct

Free Thinker
In Sanatan Dharma people have faith that if someone dies at Kasi or Kurukshetra or holy places like Vrindavan, the soul goes straight to Heaven. So, some people go to these sacred places to spend the last days of their lives. One local priest declares that those who have died a few days back in Maha Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj will directly reach their heavenly abode. So be it.
We don’t know who is doing the counting? According to a report more than 25 crore pilgrims had already taken a plunge at Sangam, Prayagraj – the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. This holy dip is unprecedented because it comes once in 144 years (believe it or not).
Parties which are not interested in this exceptional event have started criticizing the UP government for not giving out the correct and full information about the incident that had taken place at Prayagraj – Kumbh Mela few days back. They alleged that since the administration and security were busy serving the VIPs they failed miserably to take care of the laity. Opposition political parties want a serious discussion in parliament.  Parliamentary Affairs Minister gave a very flexible response saying that ‘Kumbh is an important issue’.
According to an unreliable report so far more than 50 people have died due to congestion and heavy rush in the Maha Kumbh. Some are still in the hospital but many have been discharged. Whether it was a stampede or heavy rush – nobody knows – happened once or twice! Only a few media reports say that it was a stampede due to lapses.
Once Marx said, ‘religion is the opium of the masses’. Although an atheist he knew the significance of religion. In fact, many communists / socialists though repulsive to religion, do take part in rituals and religious ceremonies.  I don’t know much about Marx and Engels but I know about Socialist leaders like Lohia, Mulayam and now Akhilesh who took a dip in the holy water of Sangam. It is not strange that the names of Manipur Communist leaders are found inscribed on the temple walls of Vrindavan and Mathura; it might have been done by their near and dear ones after their demise; but it is true.
The entire world is watching this extraordinary event.  Many media houses are closely following the events. In fact, the world is stunned by the turnout. This has already broken the record of all global events including the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics, in terms of people’s involvement and participation.
The time of Kumbh Mela is determined by the configuration of cosmic bodies like the sun, moon, planets and stars. For the on-going Maha Kumbh special, Astrologers say that it is a rare celestial event which takes place only once in one’s life time.  Believers believe it as a unique cosmological phenomenon. It is also said that such configuration emanates immense energy. According to the calculation and belief, such energy generation will take place between 13 Jan to 26 Feb of 2025.
This celestial configuration between the Sun, Jupiter and the Moon creates an auspicious energy formation. Whether or not you believe in Indian astrology /astronomy – you may verify the configuration from other sources from the USA or even China. These are easily comprehensible manifestation. Unique planetary configurations are quite visible to our naked eyes too.
 The Vedic science tells us that planetary alignments impact not only individuals, but also the entire cosmic pattern and environment. It is believed that planetary configurations charge the water bodies and rivers with cosmic energy. Spiritually and by faith, people want to take a dip in the sacred rivers for better karmic results. That is why we have such a humongous response from the masses.
Despite Rahul Gandhiji’s eagerness to ban the organization, RSS has deployed 16000 karyakartas at Prayagraj Maha kumbha to manage traffic, assist devotees and support relief efforts. Karyakartas are also engaged in sanitation, healthcare, food distribution, and accommodations for stranded pilgrims. Dr Murarji ji is monitoring these benevolent services. They treat everyone alike including VIPs; rather they are more concerned about the poor pilgrims.
In Manipur, those who have committed crimes in the last 2 years or so and who were directly or indirectly involved in criminal acts may kindly go to Prayagraj for a holy dip. There is no restriction - caste, creed, religion, sex, age, and race – no bar. Sanatan Dharma accepts everyone including atheists and agnostics.
A few days back we saw Mary Kom, the greatest boxer of the country, have a holy dip at Sangam. She inspired millions of sports persons. She came for the holy dip not because she had committed some crime; she came for it perhaps to extend solidarity to the common culture and heritage of this great sub-continent.
Our CM Saab may kindly organize trips to Sangam Maha Kumbh because many of us need a holy plunge to purify the soul. That is not only a cleansing dip but also to energize and rejuvenate our mind & body. State sponsored pilgrimages to Prayagraj may be conducted, combined for both the valley and hills; who knows? it may turn out to be an opportunity to regain trust and bonhomie. Time is running out - it is only up to 26 Feb 2025. Next Maha Maha Kumbh will come in 2169. This is our last chance to receive the cosmic positive energy – religion no bar – see Mary Kom.
Who knows? you may even reach heaven direct!