Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Ji suggests that those who cannot attend the grand Mahakumbh can still receive the same spiritual benefits through the sacred water. This year's Mahakumbh, held once every 12 years, has an added significance due to a rare celestial alignment. People can also use Gangajal for their holy bath and perform charitable deeds for full spiritual rewards. Special services and initiatives, like the Triveni Sangam Water Delivery Service, are available for those who cannot attend the event.
The Sacred Triveni Sangam: A Pilgrimage to the Confluence of Three Holy Rivers
The Triveni Sangam is a revered pilgrimage site in Allahabad, India, where the three sacred rivers—the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati—meet. It is believed that bathing in the holy waters of the Triveni Sangam during the Mahakumbh festival can absolve sins, grant salvation, and bring spiritual enlightenment.
Historical Significance
The origins of the Triveni Sangam date back to ancient Hindu mythology. Legend has it that King Bhagiratha performed severe austerities to bring the river Ganges down to earth to purify the ashes of his ancestors. The river goddess Ganga appeared before him and agreed to descend, but only if Lord Shiva held her on his head to break her fall. As Ganga flowed down, she divided into three streams, forming the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.
Mahakumbh Festival
The Mahakumbh is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, held every 12 years in Allahabad. It attracts millions of pilgrims who bathe in the holy waters of the Triveni Sangam, seeking spiritual liberation. This year's Mahakumbh, held from January to March 2023, has an added significance due to a rare celestial alignment known as the "Ardh Kumbh."
Spiritual Benefits
Bathing in the Triveni Sangam is believed to have immense spiritual benefits. It is said to cleanse the soul from sins, purify the mind, and bring peace and happiness. According to Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Ji, even those who cannot attend the Mahakumbh can receive the same spiritual benefits through the sacred water.
Top 5 FAQs about Triveni Sangam and Mahakumbh
The Triveni Sangam is a sacred confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, believed to have purifying and spiritual properties.
The Mahakumbh is held every 12 years in Allahabad. This year's Mahakumbh is being held from January to March 2023.
Bathing in the holy waters of the Triveni Sangam during Mahakumbh is believed to cleanse the soul, purify the mind, and bring spiritual liberation.
According to Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Ji, yes. Even those who cannot attend the Mahakumbh can receive the same spiritual benefits through the sacred water.
There are special services and initiatives, like the Triveni Sangam Water Delivery Service, available for those who cannot attend the event to receive the holy water and perform charitable deeds.
American billionaire Laurene Powell Jobs, wife of late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, recently visited the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi and was given the Hindu name 'Kamala' by Swami Kailashanand Giri. Due to restrictions on non-Hindus, Ms. Jobs was not allowed to touch the Shivling in the sanctum sanctorum, but she was able to participate in other spiritual activities and rituals. She is currently staying at the Niranjini Akhara camp in Prayagraj and is expected to take part in the Maha Kumbh 2025 in India.
Laurene Powell Jobs, the wife of late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, has garnered attention as she prepares to participate in the Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj. Touted as the largest gathering of humanity on the planet, the event will see Laurene taking on a new identity, Kamala, after being given the Gotra of her guru Swami Kailashananda. Her deep interest in Sanatan Dharma and her fatherly relationship with the seer have earned her a warm welcome, as she joins the ranks of VIPs and seers expected to participate in the festival. Among the many preparations for the event, UP Police has introduced advanced security measures, while the state budget for the 45-day-long fair comes at a whopping Rs 7,000 crore.
A group of unidentified individuals threw a stone at the Tapti Ganga Express train carrying passengers to the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj near Jalgaon railway station in Maharashtra. While no injuries were reported, a windowpane of coach B6 was shattered, causing panic among the passengers. The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with passengers demanding strict action against the perpetrators. The Railway Police has registered a case and is currently investigating the matter.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, a millennia-old religious festival, has commenced in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, with an estimated 40 crore people expected to attend. Government estimates predict that the event may generate up to Rs 2 lakh crore in economic growth for the state, which has allocated a budget of Rs 7,000 crore for the 45-day festival. With an average expenditure of Rs 5,000 per person, the economic impact could potentially reach Rs 4 lakh crore and boost both nominal and real GDP by over 1%. The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh has lauded the previous version of the festival in 2019, stating it contributed Rs 1.2 lakh crore to the state's economy.
The world's largest spiritual and cultural gathering, the Mahakumbh Mela, began on Monday in the holy city of Prayagraj, India. More than 40 lakh people from different backgrounds came together to take a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed the significance of this ancient tradition in a modern world and welcomed devotees and saints to the event.
The eagerly awaited Maha Kumbh festival has begun in Prayagraj, India, with the auspicious Paush Purnima being celebrated on Monday. Millions of devotees took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam - where the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers converge - to seek spiritual blessings and cleanse their sins. The 45-day long event is estimated to attract a record-breaking 40 crore people from all over the world, making it the largest ever gathering of its kind. Tight security measures are being implemented to ensure the peaceful conduct of rituals and the safety of devotees.
Former child star Rory Callum Sykes, who rose to fame on a British TV series and later became a motivational speaker on living with disabilities, tragically lost his life in the recent Los Angeles wildfires. His mother, Shelly Sykes, announced the devastating news on social media, revealing that her 32-year-old son died due to carbon monoxide despite her efforts to save him. The Australian government has expressed their condolences and is working with Los Angeles authorities to confirm Rory's death and provide consular assistance to his family.
On January 10, the world celebrates World Hindi Day to recognize the cultural and linguistic unity promoted by the Hindi language. This language, spoken by a majority of India's population, holds significance beyond the country's borders as it is also a minority language in several countries. In addition to its cultural importance, Hindi is also a key language for business, diplomacy, and education, and it is increasingly being used in new technologies. With the theme of 'A Global Voice of Unity and Cultural Pride', World Hindi Day 2025 celebrates the expanding presence and influence of Hindi worldwide.
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