The Mahakumbh at Prayagraj is often described as the largest gathering of faith on earth. But to witness it firsthand is to realize that it is something far greater: a confluence not just of rivers, but of cultures, histories and spiritual destinies. Millions flock to the sacred Sangam - the meeting point of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati - drawn by a devotion that transcends time. Among them, this year, were over 25,000 tribal devotees from across India, their presence a powerful testament to an unbroken cultural lineage, a reaffirmation of their place in the grand story of Sanatan Dharma.
For centuries, the Kumbh has embodied the essence of unity and coexistence, principles deeply embedded in the tribal way of life. We have long lived by the unwritten codes of communal harmony, charity, and reverence for the natural world. These values, which have guided our ancestors for millennia, found their grandest reflection at the Kumbh. To walk among the multitudes, witnessing ascetics in saffron robes meditating by the riverbanks and hearing the unceasing chorus of devotional songs was to be part of something at once intimate and infinite.
Yet, history has not always been kind to the spiritual consciousness of the tribal community. The arrival of British colonial rule sought to sever our ties to this eternal tradition, imposing layers of alienation and doubt. But here, at the Mahakumbh, there was no ambiguity. The tribal identity, too often misunderstood or misrepresented, found affirmation in its deep-rooted connection to the Sanatan tradition. The great pilgrimage embraced us, dispelling the artificial separations history once attempted to impose.
A key force behind this resurgence was the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, which orchestrated a remarkable convergence of tribal devotees. The Yuva Kumbh brought together 10,000 young minds, each pledging to preserve their faith and traditions. Twenty exceptional youths were honoured for their contributions - a clarion call for the next generation to stand tall in their heritage.
Then there was the Shobha Yatra, a fabulous spectacle where thousands of tribal men and women in traditional attire danced and sang their way to the sacred confluence. More than 150 groups performed traditional dances. It was a moment of sheer transcendence where centuries-old traditions found resonance in the present. Tribal artists showcased their rich cultural heritage through songs and dances that served as oral histories and spiritual expressions. The celebration peaked on February 10 with revered saints, including Mahamandleshwar Yatindranand Giriji Maharaj and Swami Avdheshanand Giri, emphasizing the deep ties between tribal traditions and Sanatan Dharma.
Adding to the significance of this year’s Kumbh was the commemoration of Lord Birsa Munda’s 150th birth anniversary. His legacy of resilience and cultural pride echoed through the gathering, a reminder that our struggle to preserve our identity is neither new nor in vain.
The Yuva Mahakumbh concluded with seven key commitments for tribal youth, a roadmap to ensure that our cultural consciousness remains undisturbed in the years to come.
Towards the end, I had the profound honour of addressing the gathering. I spoke of the tribal philosophy of ‘Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah’(may all beings be happy). I urged my fellow tribal youth to embrace our traditions as integral to Sanatan Dharma, carry the Kumbh’s spirit forward, resist misrepresentation and see our heritage as a guide for the future.
As the Sangam’s sacred waters touched my skin one last time, I felt the Kumbh was more than an event; it was a movement, a reaffirmation, an eternal promise. I acutely felt that our traditions, our faith, our identity are unshakable and forever entwined with the great confluence that is India itself.
(The author is Assistant Professor Institute of Management Studies Banaras Hindu University Varanasi.)
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