Scott Mc Kiernan Presents zReportage.com Story of the Week#775:TUESDAY February 23, 2021: ‘ATONEMENT: Magh Mela Pilgrimage’ from ZUMA Press award winning photographer Prabhat Kumar Verma, who covers social issues and events across India.
zReportage.com Story of the Week #775: TUESDAY February 23, 2021: ‘ATONEMENT: Magh Mela Pilgrimage’ from ZUMA Press award winning photographer Prabhat Kumar Verma, who covers social issues and events across India: The major religious events in India are marked by famous fairs. The scope and size of these can be anything from a few days at a local deity’s shrine to mass gatherings of millions of devotees lasting months. The fairs of Magh Mela and Kumbh Mela are two examples. The religious basis for the Magh Mela is the belief that pilgrimage is a means for atonement, or penance for past mistakes. Hindu mythology considers the origin of the festival to be associated with the beginning of the Universe. The event brings millions of pilgrims to the ghats of Prayagraj every year. Although the mega event of Kumbh has become world famous, what does not get as much attention is the Magh Mela. Legends have it that the tradition of Magh Mela began after Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, performed a sacred sacrifice at Sangam, the confluence of three holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Sarawati in Prayagraj. To ensure the tradition is carried on, locals started holding the annual fair of Magh Mela. Even today, pilgrims believe the mela is a reminder of the creation of the universe by Brahma and a celebration of life. Welcome to: ‘ATONEMENT: Magh Mela Pilgrimage’
Scott Mc Kiernan, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, ZUMA Press
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