Culture of Allahabad

Allahabad Culture & Fairs 

The Magh Mela at Allahabad (also known as Prayag) attracts thousands of people who ritualistically take bath at the confluence of holy Rivers Ganga, Jamuna and Saraswati. The same festival is observed on a large scale every twelve years as Kumbh Mela when millions of people come to take holy dip. A still more important, sacred and bigger Maha Kumbh Mela is held after twelve such KumbhMelas (after every 144 years), carrying more importance than the regular Kumbh Mela. Thousands and millions of men, women, peoples and holy men attend these fairs making it an extravagant affair of the land. There are sadhus with saffron robes with ashes smeared on their bodies. Some sects of sadhus are Naga sadhus who remain naked even in severe cold and extreme climate. The congregations of such sadhus generate an attraction for the westerners as for them it becomes an awe inspiring scene in the traditional and humble society. About 70 million people attended the last Kumbh Mela in Allahabad in the year 2007 making it the largest single gathering of people.  next Kumbh at Prayag  will be in the year 2013 from January 27 to Feburary 25.