Courtesy of Raksha Kumar Bina Kumari.Why do millions of people, from entire Indian villages to urbane middle managers to foreign tourists, brave the crowds at the Kumbh Mela During this year’s 55-day pilgrimage, to Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, an estimated 100 million Hindus and others are expected to take a holy dip in the Ganges River to wash away their sins. India Ink interviewed some of them.
Bina Kumari, 32, a farm worker from Buxar, Bihar, was one among them. This is what she had to say.
Why did you come to the Kumbh Mela this year Is it your first time
We came to see Ganga maiya, or Mother Ganges. Just getting to see her in this maddening crow is a great achievement; taking a dip in her is a bigger achievement.
How have you found it so far
It’s been horrible. I have been separated from my family. We were 11 of us; now I am all alone. Thankfully, I have some money. Will quickly go and take a dip and rush back to my village and wait for the rest of them.
Describe your journey to the Kumbh. Did you travel alone How long did it take
We had a nice journey by bus. We were all together. We sang and entertained each other during the journey. But I got separated from them at the bus stop. I was trying to get my luggage when they must have all moved forward.
Do you consider yourself a religious person
If I were not religious, I wouldn’t have come here. Every single person who wants to take a dip is religious. They b! elieve in the central idea of Hinduism, which is internal cleansing. If we are clear-hearted, if everyone in this world is clear-hearted, then the world will be a better place to live in.
Who do you think is going to win the 2014 election
I come from a politically charged part of the country. If I say anything it might be held against me. Let me just say that we have been through a tough decade, and hope things will be better in the future.
(The interview was conducted in Hindi.)
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