“Mahakumbh is not just a fair, it is a grand celebration of making the impure pure,” says Rakesh Shukla
Prayagraj – The Mahakumbh, a monumental cultural and spiritual heritage of humanity, is far more than just a fair. Spanning approximately 45 days, it is a grand festival that embodies deep spiritual significance. For devotees arriving from across India and the globe, understanding the essence of Mahakumbh is essential to fully appreciate its sanctity and derive maximum spiritual benefits. Known as the “Son of Prayag,” Rakesh Kumar Shukla, an expert on Kumbh and a prominent figure in Prayagraj, elaborated on the profound meaning of Mahakumbh. He described it as a festival of “digital detox” and spiritual purification. Shukla, who has also authored a coffee table book on the Kumbh, emphasized the importance of preserving the sanctity of Mahakumbh and refraining from reducing it to a mere fair.
Living a Real Life, Not a Reel Life
Rakesh Kumar Shukla, who served as a special advisor to the Government of India during the 2019 Kumbh, highlighted that the Kumbh is a festival, not a fair. He explained that the Kumbh can be divided into four dimensions: spiritual philosophy, management, economy, and global participation. He urged every devotee to understand what the Kumbh is, why it is celebrated, and how it should be observed. According to Shukla, Sanatan Vedic Hindu Dharma is the only eternal religion on earth, with its core purpose being the welfare of humanity through service to mankind and devotion to the divine. This philosophy begins with the spiritual discourses of sages and saints, who are the true architects of Mahakumbh. Shukla also stressed the importance of leading a real life over the fleeting distractions of social media. He said, “The purpose of Kalpavas (a period of spiritual retreat during Kumbh) is to live a real life, not a reel life.” He further explained that Mahakumbh is governed by divine principles and serves as a significant spiritual event aimed at fostering harmony and self-purification.
A Call to Preserve the Spirit of Mahakumbh
In his appeal to devotees, Rakesh Shukla encouraged them to honor the Mahakumbh as a sacred festival rather than treating it as a mere spectacle. “The Mahakumbh is a unique celebration driven by the divine constitution and created by the collective wisdom of sages. Its sole purpose is to ensure that religion guides business, not the other way around,” he said. Shukla’s insights serve as a reminder of the profound spiritual essence of Mahakumbh, urging devotees to embrace its true purpose of self-reflection, purification, and divine connection.
