World's Largest Religious Festival Begins in India
The Facts
Maha Kumbh began on Monday in northern India's Prayagraj town, with millions taking a holy bath at the confluence of three rivers — Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati.
This year's festivities are reportedly special due to a rare alignment of four celestial bodies — the Sun, Moon, Saturn, and Jupiter — that occurs only once every 144 years.
The Spin
Narrative A
Maha Kumbh is a breathtaking testament to human gathering and spiritual devotion, with an astounding 400M people coming together in a vibrant tapestry of beliefs and traditions. Saints, merchants, and pilgrims from all walks of life will unite in this extraordinary celebration, where ancient rituals blend seamlessly with modern sensibilities — creating an unparalleled display of India's cultural heritage.
Narrative B
Maha Kumbh is set to leave troubling legacies — untreated waste choking rivers, sewage treatment plants overwhelmed beyond capacity, and dangerous contamination levels threatening human health and aquatic life. The convergence of winter respiratory risks, communicable diseases, and environmental degradation raises serious concerns about this Hindu religious festival's sustainability.
