The Kumbh Mela L.O.To explore the greatest gathering of people on earth.

Starter: Discuss in pairs what the difference is between a holiday and a pilgrimage.

Key Words Kumbh = pot Mela = fair Sadhus = holy men Vedas= the four primary texts of Hinduism

Right now, millions of people are going to descend upon one city in India for the world's largest gathering of humanity, the Allahabad Kumbh Mela.

The Kumbh Mela is a religious pilgrimage that occurs once every 12 years in Allahabad, India. The fair attracts millions of people from all over the world to bathe in the Ganges River where it meets the Yamuna River and a third mythical river. The last Allahabad Kumbh Mela in 2001 attracted approximately 60 million people, which is about the same number of people who live in the entire United Kingdom. Allahabad's normal population is just under 1 million people.

The Allahabad Kumbh Mela lasts for several weeks, so not all of those 60-plus million people are there for the entire time, but on the main bathing day, an estimated 40 million people were at the fair last time.

The pilgrims believe that the water will purify their souls of sin and it is a practice that is thought to have been recorded for the first time by a Chinese traveller in the early seventh century AD. The Purna (full) Kumbh Mela takes place in four locations, Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik every 12 years. An Ardh (half) Kumbh is held in Haridwar and Allahabad six years after (and six years before) every Purna Kumbh. The exact timing, duration and location of each festival is calculated according to an astrological chart.

This year’s festival, however, is especially significant as it is a once-in-a-lifetime Maha (Great) Kumbh, which is held after 12 Purna Kumbhs, so every 144 years, and only in Allahabad.

One of the biggest spectacles is the arrival of the naked, ash smeared, Hindu holy men or sadhus wearing marigold garlands.

Preparations for the Kumbh Mela have been going on for many months. 14 temporary hospitals have been built toilets have been built Teams are managing the river banks to encourage people who have bathed to move away and let others bathe police have been deployed to keep order

Environmental Issues The River Ganges starts high in the Himalayas, flows 1,560 miles and supports the highest density of people than any other river with a staggering population of well over 420 million people who either live on, close to or in some way rely on the river for their livelihood Human and animal excrement (poo), dead bodies, litter, industrial wastes etc all pollute the river. Yet to Hindus it is the most sacred river and they bathe in it and drink it.

Every day during the Mela is auspicious for bathing. However, the dates that have special significance and are thus the most auspicious, are as follows: Sunday January 27, 2013 (Paush Purnima) Wednesday February 6, 2013 (Ekadashi Snan) Sunday February 10, 2013 (Mauni Amavasya Snan) Friday February 15, 2013 (Basant Panchami Snan) Sunday February 17, 2013 (Rath Saptami Snan) Thursday February 21, 2013 (Bhisma Ekadashi Snan) Monday February 25, 2013 (Maghi Purnima Snan)

The Benefits of the Kumbh Mela It’s crowded, noisy and polluted. People are having to sleep in tents in a place where temperatures can be below freezing at this time of year. How can they stand it? However, the city functions smoothly. People interact harmoniously, they respect others, give space to others, show civility to others and provide overt help to others – even strangers. This feeling of well being lasts a long time after they have come home.

Task: This is homework, should take approximately 5 weeks and will be presented to the class and peer assessed. Create a blog of a pilgrim's visit to the Kumbh Mela.

Create a blog of a visit Write a blog ( an online diary) to describe a 5 day visit to the Kumbh Mela as if it were you that went. -Describe your journey there -The River Ganges -The time when you actually bathed in the river -Describe your sights, sounds, smells, and importantly your feelings -Other places you visit in the area -Why it is important for a Hindu to go on pilgrimage -Include maps, pictures, interesting facts for your readers

Plenary This homework should take 4 weeks. The idea is you tackle a section each week so it is not a mammoth task. Don't leave it all to do on the night before it is due in! Discuss with your partner your ideas. Can they make any suggestions to help you?