Dr. Arvind Kumar*
The event of Mahakumbh, which takes place once in 12 years in India, is a vastly rich event with a religious perspective and its spiritual side; however, it also offers a rare stature in terms of using it for building a constituency for environmental issues. The tremendous crowd which includes millions of worshipers from all corners of the world is a great opportunity for mobilising public opinion to favour issues related to the environment. The communities with the participation of several stakeholders such as religious leaders, government officials, and environmental activists, must develop their practices with the event to share and elaborate on good practices as they heighten advocacy about what can be lost for failing to conserve or use resource conservation mechanisms, poles apart from sustainability practices. but unfortunately, if this opportunity is lost, then we are surely bound to lose an opportunity once in a lifetime to change the environment positively and give a better tomorrow to humankind.
In India, riverine entities become more than mere water bodies; they have attached cultural, spiritual, and heritages. The Ganga and Yamuna are not questions of the environment; they constitute a responsibility that becomes of prime cultural concern. But then comes the Maha Kumbh, where multitudes of devotees are coming, and so on, raising the scales of conflicts over this preservation. Although Mahakumbh promises an unmatched spiritual experience, it also leaves a very relevant question: How can such a grand celebration possibly align with sustainability principles? It could be much more than just a spiritual congregation; it may become a platform for transformation into a championing of sustainability. What if that collective energy and spiritual momentum inspired a call to change? Through the infusion of environmental consciousness in the very fabric of Mahakumbh, every pilgrim could become a steward of nature. This amalgamation of spirituality and sustainability has provided a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the sacred rivers not only through rituals but also in action.
“A Maha Yagya of Unity,” was the description from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 13 December 2024, about Maha Kumbh Mela. Something divine happens in India every twelve years: millions meet at Prayagraj as the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythological Saraswati meet with each other, thus symbolising unity, purification, and sustenance. Thus, this celebration is known to be Mahakumbh Mela, which gives a beautiful hue of faith and tradition, to humankind. Mahakumbh stands for “Festival of the Sacred Pitcher” (kumbh meaning pitcher and mela meaning festival), one of the most sacred pilgrimages for Hindus, a cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO. The Maha Kumbh Mela that begins this year on January 13th to February 26th, 2025, on the riverside over 4,000 hectares- promises an effervescent sprawl of faiths and cultures.
Sadhus: Unexpected Champions of Sustainability
When you hear about environmentalists, you tend to think of scientists or activists. But sadhus? A little-known yet quite interesting phenomenon. Sadhus lead a very simple life: taking only what is needed from nature and leaving hardly any waste behind. Their lives epitomize the art of minimalism and sustainability. While people around the world are burdened with excessive consumption, sadhus are the epitome of being satisfied with moderation and mindfulness. Sadhus can inspire millions of people to live a life that respects and preserves the environment by showing their sustainable practices at Mahakumbh.
Mahakumbh as a Catalyst for Change
This year’s Maha Kumbh aims to set a benchmark for sustainability under the Union government’s ‘green’ mela initiative. Key measures include banning plastic in favour of biodegradable products like kulhads and pattals, deploying 10,000 cleaning staff, and installing 150,000 toilets, 25,000 dustbins, and 40 compactor trucks for efficient waste management. Eco-friendly transport options, enabled by an online booking system, include e-rickshaws and e-autos. Solar power, sewage treatment plants, and reusable materials play a vital role in the event’s sustainability efforts. Initiatives like ‘one bag, one thali,’ which distribute steel plates and cloth bags to pilgrims, further aim to minimize waste.
These steps do indeed help to reduce the immediate environmental effects, but the Maha Kumbh provides a much more significant opportunity. With millions already here, this grand event can become a strong force in promoting social and sustainable change. It is in this regard that collaboration between the Indian government, environmental organizations, spiritual leaders, and local communities could amplify efforts toward environmental stewardship and long-term behavioural change. Thus, by bringing in sustainability within the spiritual fibre of Maha Kumbh, the whole event could transition from being a simply eco-aware congregation to be an exemplary movement toward changing the character of future meetups..
This massive congregation could be a great channel to develop mass awareness of the consumption of water, sustainability, and waste management. If it can also engage itself with workshops, storytelling and green activities, it might even become an incubator for large-scale environmental awareness. It would shape itself in many different forms like pop-up renewable energy demonstrations or innovation centers in clean water. Sadhus will lead processions that promote the use of sustainably sourced produce, and educational sessions can instruct pilgrims about how to generate less plastic. These activities may not only engage the audience who attend the pilgrimage but also provoke pilgrims, who will disseminate the gospel of sustainability, creating a national ripple effect.
From Spirituality to Social Action
If one takes a glance through history, it can be noticed that Mahakumbh was not just any spiritual event, but a stepping stone for a larger movement towards societal change. For example, during the time of the British Raj, Mahakumbh Mela became the platform to get people from various walks of life together to help mobilize for India’s struggle for freedom. In 1918, Mahatma Gandhi attended the Maha Kumbh Mela and mixed up with others in attendance to garner support for the independence movement. This period saw the purpose of the festival shift toward not only an occasion of worship but also discussion and action around politics. This is but one example of how Mahakumbh was tapped into for resultant great social and political reform. Now, with environmental education and action incorporated into the festival, a potential that could further be tapped upon can be that of saving the government, having Mahakumbh as much a catalyst towards environmental sustainability as it once was for freedom and national development. .
Beyond Surface Solutions
And what’s the next step? With the measures to be implemented by the 2025 Maha Kumbh, one has all reason to feel positive. Yet this is merely the beginning. Here’s how to ask that one question of all of us – to make the centuries-old festival become a harbinger of newfangled sustainability:
A final success will emerge from the convergence of all stakeholders – the government bodies initiating clear policies, infrastructure, etc., and using religious leaders that can weave together environmental messages from religious teachings and rituals. CSOs and environmentalists can provide such expertise and build volunteer networks with local communities on the ground supporting, through neighbourhood action and monitoring groups. The corporate world can bring technology and finances. The media may focus on successes, while institutions of learning find a place to interweave the ancient with modern-day environmental science. All of the stakeholders are required to perform equally important functions-government, setting a framework; religion, and lending legitimacy. Real devotion to Ganga cannot be performed merely through mere declarations or obvious fixes. It is not about saving a river but preserving a lifeline for millions, making sure that the spirit of unity extends to the planet we all share.
The key is to view this platform not as a 45-day event but as a launching pad for lasting environmental change – what role will you play in this transformation?
*Editor, Focus Global Reporter
