Kolkata-based businessman Uttam Mondal, accompanied by his wife and a group of friends, is on a journey to Prayagraj to participate in the sacred ritual of taking a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, an act believed to cleanse one’s sins. Meanwhile, city resident Debabrata Pattrea admits that his visit to the grand Maha Kumbh is motivated more by curiosity than religious devotion. However, despite differing motivations for their pilgrimage, both men share a common stance regarding the recent remarks made by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee about the event.
Banerjee, during an address in the West Bengal Assembly on February 18, had strongly criticized the handling of the Maha Kumbh, referring to it as a “Mrityu Kumbh” (Death Kumbh) due to the tragic incidents of stampedes that had occurred. She alleged that the actual number of casualties was being suppressed by authorities. Her comments came in the wake of a stampede in Prayagraj last month that resulted in the deaths of at least 30 people and left over 60 others injured. Additionally, a separate stampede at an overcrowded railway station in New Delhi also claimed 18 lives recently.
“I will not call it a Maha Kumbh. It has now become a ‘Mrityu Kumbh’. It is like a death pit. I respect the Maha Kumbh, I respect Ganga Maa. However, there was no planning for the event,” Banerjee had remarked, sparking controversy.
Despite the concerns raised, the massive religious congregation, which began on January 13 and is set to conclude on February 26, has seen an overwhelming turnout. According to figures released by the Uttar Pradesh government, over 60 crore devotees have taken a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam since the festival’s commencement. The event continues to draw pilgrims from all corners of the country and beyond, reinforcing its significance in Hindu traditions.
At the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata on Sunday evening, anticipation was evident among travelers as two Prayagraj-bound flights prepared for departure. Passengers from West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and other states waited in eager anticipation, looking forward to witnessing the spectacle of faith and devotion.
“This is my first time visiting the Kumbh Mela. My wife and my friends are accompanying me. We are going there primarily to take a dip at Sangam. The excitement is indescribable,” Mondal expressed enthusiastically before boarding a 7:30 PM flight to Prayagraj.
When asked about the chief minister’s remarks, Mondal was of the opinion that Banerjee should have been more considerate with her words. “She should have given it more thought before making such statements,” he said, emphasizing that while safety concerns are important, labeling the sacred event in such a manner was inappropriate.
Nearby, a group of women—including a mother and her two daughters—shared smiles and took selfies, capturing their excitement before embarking on their spiritual journey. One of the daughters, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “We have attended the Kumbh Mela in places like Haridwar before, but this will be our first time experiencing it in Prayagraj. It feels special.”
Her mother echoed a similar sentiment, stating that the chief minister’s characterization of the Maha Kumbh as ‘Mrityu Kumbh’ was an unnecessary exaggeration. “Such comments should have been avoided. They do not reflect the sentiment of the millions of people who come here with faith and devotion,” she remarked.
Interestingly, not all visitors from West Bengal were heading to Prayagraj with religious intentions. Pattrea, for example, acknowledged that while he respected the religious significance of the Maha Kumbh, his own decision to visit was largely influenced by curiosity. “This is an event of massive scale and cultural importance. Seeing so many people come together in devotion is a phenomenon worth witnessing,” he said.
As the Maha Kumbh draws to a close, the debate over its management and safety concerns continues. However, for the vast majority of attendees, the focus remains on faith, tradition, and the hope of spiritual renewal that has drawn them to the sacred waters of the Sangam.