India’s Kumbh Mela creates Guinness World Records

The Prayagraj Kumbh Mela, organised every 12 years, has entered the Guinness World Records for the largest crowd management, largest sanitation drive and largest painting exercise at the public sites.

Thousands of Hindu pilgrims take a ritualistic dip at Sangam, the confluence of sacred rivers the Yamuna, the Ganges and the mythical Saraswati, at Kumbh Mela Source: AAP Image/ AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh

One of the biggest religious congregations in the world, the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela in India has entered the Guinness World Records this year.

The Prayagraj Kumbh Mela organised at the banks of the confluence of three rivers Ganga, Yamana and mythical Saraswati, was attended by millions this year.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes a holy dip at Sangam, the confluence of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, during Kumbh festival Source: AAP Image/AP Photo/ Rajesh Kumar Singh

The Kumbh Mela is a series of ritual baths by Hindu sadhus, or holy men, and other pilgrims at Sangam that dates back to at least medieval times. Pilgrims bathe in the river believing it cleanses them of their sins and ends their process of reincarnation.

India organises four such fairs approximately every three years which are widely recognized as the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela, Haridwar Kumbh Mela, the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha, and Ujjain Simhastha.

These fairs or Melas are held in rotation and at any given place, the Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years. 

The Kumbh Mela held in Prayagraj this year has created Guinness World Records for the largest crowd management, largest sanitation drive and largest painting exercise at the public sites.

Source: Twitter

The first record was made on February 28th where the largest parade of buses was achieved by the Prayagraj Mela Authority.

More than 500 shuttle buses were pressed into service on the highway in one go for managing crowds on February 28. 

The second record was made on March 1st for most contributions to a handprint painting in 8 hours.

Source: Twitter

The third record was made on March 2nd for most people sweeping the floor (multiple venues) at the Kumbh Mela.

10,000 workers engaged in cleaning at the Kumbh, all performing their duties together, authorities said.

Indian sweepers totaling 10, 000 brooming to make a world record at Sangam, the confluence of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, @Prayagraj Kumbh Source: AAP Image/ AP Photo/ Rajesh Kumar Singh

The festival began on January 14 and concluded on March 4 with the sixth and final "Shahi Snan" (royal bath) on the occasion of Maha Shivratri (Indian religious festival).

The Mela was attended by more than 200 million visitors, a government official said.

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