It seems that all roads are leading to Prayagraj. Whether you are religious  or not, one cannot help but marvel at the power of faith that is driving people from all walks of life to attend the Maha Kumbh. Apart from being the most instagrammable event of the year, there is a cosmic calculation behind this massive gathering and the ritual bathing. The planetary alignments are believed to have a profound impact on the human body and on earth and water. To understand the deeper significance of the rituals and the origins of Kumbh Mela The Free Press Journal spoke to Bharatiya Sanatan sanskriti Scholar, Shriman Virendra Yagnik.

Excerpts from the interview:

You just returned from Kumbh. What kind of energy and emotions do you feel?

Kumbh reflects the Indian ethos and soul. It is an amazing sight. The emotions you witness and experience at Kumbh in Prayagraj– you can’t feel and see in our big metros. There is a simplicity and there is a desire to be in harmony with everyone. There is a desire to be one with everyone. There was a very sad and unfortunate stampede that killed so many on Mauni Amavasya at Kumbh. And though there is pain on people’s faces, there is also a sense of solace.

What is the planetary alignment that makes this such an important event?

According to Kumbh tradition, when the sun and moon are in Makar Rashi, and Brihaspathi or Jupiter is in Mesh or Vrsha Rashi, and Saturn is along with it- that’s when Maha Kumbh happens in Prayagraj. This time the constellation is extraordinary. All the planets are in one line or rekha. Its influence is strong on water, land and the environment in Prayagraj.

Is it necessary to dip only from the Sangam nose? Or is it auspiscious to dip anywhere along the sangam bank? During Mauni Amavasya, the stampede happened because everyone rushd to dip from that one particular spot – The Sangam nose.

The saints and sadahus have said that it’s not necessary to dip in that exact spot. How can 40 crore people dip in one spot? The positive impact of the sangam spreads a minimum of 15 kms in each direction. So that’s a total of 60 km that you can dip in to get the spiritual benefits or punya (virtue) that you will get at the sangam nose.

Coming to this concept of washing away sins. Is it that simple that a dip in the sangam during Kumbh mela can wash away all our sins? Don’t we still have to endure the consequences of our karma or actions?

Water washes off stains, but stains can reappear. What the sacred dip in the sangam waters does is give you the strength to atone for your sins, not just erase them. It gives you the courage to endure the punishments for your sins. You can then face your karma with a sense of contentment.

So basically you become reconciled to enduring the consequences of the sins you have committed?

Yes you become reconciled. You also get a sense of self realization that you should not commit the same sins again.