It was at this grand confluence of faith and politics that Gandhi fully grasped his growing influence, reinforcing his resolve for satyagraha

One of the most notable episodes in the history of the Kumbh Mela occurred in 1915 when Mahatma Gandhi visited the Haridwar gathering shortly after returning from South Africa after twenty-one years. Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Gandhi’s political mentor, had advised him to undertake a nationwide tour to understand India’s socio-political landscape before formulating his strategies - and plunging himself into the dynamics of the freedom movement. It was during this tour that Gandhi decided to attend the Kumbh, primarily to visit Mahatma Munshiram at his Gurukul in Rishikesh and to oversee the activities of the Servants of India Society.

While Gandhi’s views on various issues such as cleanliness and sanitation, including that of communal harmony were critical - which Gandhi distinctly mentions in this autobiography too - his brief political debut at Haridwar Kumbh Mela pointed towards the necessity of bridging the communal divide to achieve a more conscientious goal for freedom. Gandhi was also awestruck, not only by the overwhelming crowds but also by the chaos, superstition, and lack of hygiene. He noted the rampant disregard for cleanliness, which tarnished the sanctity of the event.

‘The banks of the Ganga, a symbol of purity, were defiled by human waste and negligence,’ he lamented in his speeches decades later. In 1947, remembering his Kumbh experience, Gandhi remarked, ‘We must ensure that our religious gatherings become sanctuaries of cleanliness and serenity, not breeding grounds for disease and disorder.’

It was also here in Haridwar that Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi first grasped the profound impact his humble efforts in South Africa had on Bharat’s people. Reflecting on this experience, he wrote in The Story of My Experiments with Truth: “My business was mostly to keep sitting in the tent, giving darshan and holding religious and other discussions with numerous pilgrims who called on me. This left me not a minute which I could call my own. I was followed even to the bathing ghat by these darshan-seekers, nor did they leave me alone whilst I was having my meals. Thus, it was in Haridwar that I realised what a deep impression my humble services in South Africa had made throughout the whole of India.”

The Kumbh Mela at Haridwar proved to be a pivotal moment in shaping Mahatma Gandhi’s sense of purpose and his eventual entry into the political arena of India’s freedom movement. This deepened his realisation that the people of India looked up to him, not just as a spiritual figure, but as a leader capable of addressing the nation’s struggles.

This realisation planted the seeds of confidence and responsibility within Gandhi, inspiring him to expand his mission of service and truth to the broader cause of India’s liberation - which resulted in his first non-violent satyagraha in 1917 in Champaran, Bihar. The overwhelming response he received at the Kumbh Mela reinforced his belief in the power of collective action and solidified his resolve to dedicate his life to the fight for India’s freedom.

It is also fascinating to note that Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to Haridwar and his entry into the political arena coincided with a landmark moment in history - the All India Hindu Mahasabha formation during the Kumbh Mela. In April 1915, amidst the spiritual fervour of the Haridwar Kumbh, Gandhi joined luminaries such as Swami Shraddhanand, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, and other visionaries at the inaugural conference of the Sarvadeshak (All India) Hindu Sabha, marking a pivotal chapter in India’s socio-political awakening. Gandhi’s participation at the Kumbh was also available to British intelligence, who had made records - now available in the Regional State Archives.

The colonial period introduced a fresh perspective to the Kumbh Mela, with European observers chronicling its magnificence and adding valuable historical context. Fascinated by the immense scale and diversity of the pilgrimage, the British left behind detailed records that provide significant insights into the evolution of the Maha Kumbh Mela which also can be found in the well-documented writings of James Prinsep, a British colonial administrator.

It is worth referring to The Sunday Guardian’s article, Beyond Faith: How Kumbh Mela Reshapes the Course of History, which highlights the Kumbh Mela’s role in India’s independence movement. A 1920 British intelligence document, displayed at the Allahabad Museum, reveals a pivotal 1918 meeting during the Mela. This meeting adopted a memorial supporting political reforms, demanded Panchayats, permanent settlements, and tenant protections, and founded the UP Peasants Association. Led by Pt Madan Mohan Malviya, the association grew to 450 branches, fostering unity among peasants and opposing zamindar dominance.

The Sunday Guardian further highlights the pivotal role of the Kumbh Mela in shaping India’s post-independence democracy, particularly during the Emergency. The JP Movement gained significant momentum at this Kumbh, with the Sadhu Samaj lending strong support. Events such as the ‘Dharma Sansad’ and ‘Sadhu Sammelans (congregation)’ cemented widespread support for the Janata Party across the Hindi heartland.

The ‘Maha Kumbh Mela’ transcends its role as a spiritual gathering, reflecting the profound confluence of the sacred and the secular.

While it offers a space for deep introspection and devotion, it also acts as a mirror to the socio-political currents that shape Indian society. This timeless festival continues to evolve, bridging spiritual and worldly realms. The Kumbh Mela remains a powerful testament to India’s enduring cultural legacy.

(The writer is Programme Executive, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti; views are personal)