Khumb Mela | India

GLOSSARY
• KUMBH – POT

• MELA – FESTIVAL / FAIR

• AKHARA – RELIGIOUS ORDER

• SANGAM – CONFLUENCE ( OF RIVERS)

• GURU – HINDU SPIRITUAL LEADER

What is KUMBH MELA?

• The Kumbh Mela (the festival of the

sacred pitcher) is anchored in Hindu
mythology.
• It is the largest public gathering and
collective act of faith, anywhere in the
world.
• The Mela draws tens of millions of
pilgrims over the course of
approximately
• 55 auspicious days to bathe at the
sacred confluence of the Ganga, the
Yamuna, and the mystical Sarasvati.
• Primarily, this congregation includes
Ascetics, Saints, Sadhus, Sadhvis,
Kalpvasis, and Pilgrims from all walks of
life.
Origin of the festival

Vishnu as Kurma (painting, 1860)

Location

GANGA
NEW DELHI

YAMUNA

ALLAHBAD
(PRAYAG)
Annual mean ambi ent PM2.5 (ug/m3) - from
measur ement s, 2 018 update

Me an PM2.5 (µg/m3)
> 110

60

<10

Pop u lat
io n

0 > 25,000,000

0 20,000,000
Year
PM2.5
PM2.5 source
170
2012
Converted
15,000,000
0 10,000,000
Year PM10
317

2012
PM10 source
0 < 5,000,000
Measured
1,294,851
2016
0 (ug/ m3)
Citie
I28
•
s
rast e r
■
Agra
165 --
Kanpur 85 730 ----- 12
<10 Ghaziabad
127 4
11 - 15 I5Lucknow -- 566 - 3
IVaranasi
15

••
227 -- 0
O
263
Alla habad ---
O

•
Rituals

Along with the bathing ritual, the

pilgrims also worship on the banks of the
holy river and participate in discourses
from various sadhus and saints.
 The four sacred site

HARIDWAR
Allahabad sits on the western
YAMUNA
edge of the Allahabad district in
southern part of the state of
ALLAHABAD
GANGA Uttar Pradesh, at the
UJJAIN convergence of the Ganga and
NASHIK
Yamuna Rivers. It is the holiest of
the four Kumbh Mela sites,
because it is believed that a third
invisible river, the mythical
Saraswati, also joins the two
sacred rivers here.
ALLAHABAD HARIDWAR

The four Mela cities are urban

areas that are structured by
their water bodies. Allahabad is
situated in the fork of the
confluence between the Ganga
and Yamuna, whereas
Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain
have linear organizations,
usually along one side of their
respective rivers.

NASHIK UJJAIN
 The Treveni Shagam

G ive
an r
R

ge
s
The area of Allahabad used for
the Kumbh is highlighted here.
It is adjacent to the main city,
occupying the ground where
the rivers converge.
CITY OF Occupation of the Land?
ALLAHABAD
Occupation of the Water?

m ar na
u
YRiv e
 The Ephemeral

1. The change in water

level & the emergence
of the flood plains
2. The disappearance of
the interim agricultural
land
3. The construction of the
temporary crossings
4. The emergence of a
city based on sectors in
Grid form

Octorber 2012 : Before Mela Octorber 2013 : During Mela

1. Sangam / Sacred Confluence
2. The entry points on the river,
the most sought after are in
the vicinity of Sangam
3. The main processional route
to sangam.
4. Bridges float to the pre-desig-
nated place on the Ganges.
5. The “city” is divided into 14
sectors, each with its hospital,
police station, roads and
electricity supply.
6. Toward the city of Allahabad
Deployment Maps
Map 1: Mar - May, 2012
• Agricultural Land covers most of the area,
interconnected by informal dirt road
• Major road designated, and begin with material
transportation
Map 5: Dec 25 - Jan 6, 2013
• All road production completed
• Construction south of the Sangam begins
• River enbankment complete
• All bridge construction complete
Map 2: Jun - Aug, 2012
• Local and Goverement administrators meet
onsite to access conditon
Map 6: Jan 14, 2013
• Khumb Mela in full operation
• Tent occupation 50%
Map 3: Oct 15-22, 2012
• River recess and leaves dampned land
• Fabrication of metal sheets for major road
• Sector boundries outlined
• Electrical poles deployed
• Initial pontoon deployed for secondary bridges
Map 7: Feb 7 , 2013
• Khumb Mela 100% full occupation
Map 4: Dec 12, 2012
• Major roads completed
• Pontoon deployment and bridge construction
completed
• River enhancement complete
• Infrastructure deployment for water, electricity &
tele communications
• Tent construction and occupation commences
Map 8: Mar - Apr , 2013
• Tent disassembly and support infra removal
• Sorting and collection of material component
• Sand bags and mats removed from enbankment
• Bridges and pontoons disassembeled
• Agricultural activity begins
• Sangam activity makes to smaller bathing groups
 2

1. View toward the ‘Sangam’ & the memories of the road for the previous melas
2. View towards the north of the confluence
3. View of the ‘Sangam’
4. Khumb Mela site in August where existing agriculture exist
4
 1. 193 Million estimated visitor (Peak period)
Population Comparison
2. 1936.56 Hec land used
3. 30 police station 1 Tokyo Japan 38,001,000
2 Delhi India 25,703,168
4. 12461 police personnels 3 Shanghai China Brazil 23,740,778
5. 30 fire stations 4 Sao Paulo India Mexico 21,066,245
6. 156.2 Km of roads 5 Mumbai 21,042,538
6 Mexico City Japan 20,998,543
7. 18 pontoon bridge crossings 7 BeijingChina 20,383,994
8. 80000 KLs of consumable water 8 Osaka United States 20,237,645
9 Cairo Egypt 18,771,769
9. 40 active tube wells 10 New York 18,593,220
10. 73 electrical sub stations
11. 40000 toilets (private/public)
12. 370 hospital bed
13. 4500 buses in operation

This is 5 people/m2
=

10 people/m2
● November, December, January and February: good
weather with pleasant average temperatures.
● Hot season: March, April, May, June, July, August,
September, October and November.
● Rainy season: June, July, August and September.
● Dry periods: January, February, March, April, May,
November and December.
● On average, the warmest month is May.
● On average, the coolest month is January.
● August is the wettest month, April is the driest month.
 Yamuna and Ganga rivers
● Unfit for bathing
● Unfit for drinking
● No animal life can be sustained
in Yamuna river after the
Wazirabad Barage (situated just
before New Delhi)
● Planting crops along the Yamuna
river is banned by the Indian
Supreme Court

Wazirabad Barage
Pontoon bridges
Temporary roads
Aarti

In Prayag, Prayagraj Mela Authority and various other communities

make grand arrangements for these Aartis. Lakhs of devotees take
part on these occasions on special festive days. The Aartis’ are
performed in the mornings and evenings in which Batuks (Priests),
normally 5 to 7 in numbers chants hymns with great fervor,
holding meticulously designed lamps and worship the Ganga, the
Yamuna and the Sangam with utmost devotion. The lamps held by
the batuks represent the importance of panchtatva. On one hand,
flames of the lamps signify bowing to the waters of the sacred
rivers and on the other, the holy fumes emanating from the lamps
appear to play the mystic of heaven on earth.
Snan

Prayagraj Kumbh comprises of many rituals including bathing

ritual, which by far is the most significant rituals performed at
Kumbh. Millions of pilgrims take part in the Kumbh bathing ritual
at the Triveni Sangam. Performing this sacred ritual is in
accordance with the belief that by submerging oneself in the holy
waters, one is purged of all their sins, release themselves and their
ancestors from the cycle of rebirth and ultimate attainment of
Moksha. Along with the bathing ritual, the pilgrims also worship
on the banks of the holy river and participate in discourses from
various sadhus and saints.
Kalpvas

According to the scripture, a Kalpvasi has to observe the 21 rules

through mind, speech, and action. These rules are as follows:

Among all the rituals celibacy, fasting, offering prayers, satsang,

donation and Veni Daan hold special significance.
Deep Daan

At Triveni Sangam, numerous sparkling oil lamps fill the innermost

conscience of the devotees with a heavenly feeling. Thousands of lighted
Diyas (lamps) spread the light of spirituality across the environment in
such a manner that the waves of religious fervour and devotion affect
even the most atheist of people.
Sangam

Sangam has seen pilgrims and sages worshipping at the

banks of the holy river since time immemorial. Millions of
pilgrims visiting the Sangam during Maha Kumbh, Kumbh
and Ardha Kumbh are the living proof of the spirit of
Sangam.
Prayag Panchkoshi Parikrama (circumambulation)

The changing times have had an impact on the course and the
nature of the Kumbh festival. The rituals of “Parikrama”
(circumambulation) have had a direct impact of such changes.
Today, the ritual that has been an integral part of “Kumbh” since
time immemorial has mostly lost its existence.
In order to revive this historical ritual of utmost significance, the
Shri Akhada Parishad and Mela Authority have re-mapped the
“Parikrama” path and further plans to develop the temples that
appear along this path. The goal here is to re-establish a historical
ritual while providing an opportunity to the new generation to
acquaint themselves with the rich history of this event of cultural,
religious and spiritual significance.
Activities in the site

•TEMPORARY •PERMANENT
Sectors – accommodation for the sadhus Agriculture
Sectors- accommodation for the public Water purification
Flow of people Waste management
Pooja – collective prayer Power generation
Sanitary Air purification
Security
Medical care
Lost and found
Congregation spaces – theater/community spaces/
entertainment park
Food
Parking
Markets
Accommodation
Traffic
Collective prayer
Sanitary
Community spaces
Security
 Population explosion

Stampede/Drownings/People lost

Water pollution and chemistry pollution

Challenges Infectious disease

Lack of basic Infrastructures(water pipe/ electric/

hospital/ toilet…)

Short period and low cost

 · Can tall buildings be the solution to temporary
cities like this with an ever increasing
population?
· What innovations can be done to design a
temporary city at the Kumbh Mela?
· How can new technology contribute towards this
Questions to discuss mass gathering?
· Can this model or idea be implemented in place of
other mass gatherings or in case of natural disasters?
· How can we create an identity for this temporary
city through our design?
· How will the planning be done in the 2050s?
GENIUS LOCI :Elemental
meaning of Kumbh
•The confluence (Sangam) of all the cultures
in the universe.

•A spiritual conscience.

•The flow of humanity.

•The flow of rivers, forests, and Rishi culture.

•The communion of nature and human life.

•The source of energy.

•The path of enlightenment.

•Cleansing of the soul, washing of sins

•Escape from circle of Life (Mrutyu Lok)

MISSION STATEMENT

“Respectfully accentuating the

spiritual experience, while providing a

sustainable model of functioning

through our intervention”

 KALPVYAS
(hindu way of life)
•Humble

•Frugal

•Light

•Minimum impact
?
•Adaptable

The challenge is to
translate this into a tall
building
AFTER KUMBH: Use of structure

AGRICULTURE:

Left undisturbed as built up structure goes

vertical to free the invaluable ground
resource
AFTER KUMBH: Use of structure

ENERGY PRODUCTION:

The city of Allahabad being a spiritual and

commercial magnet is worst affected by
inadequate services .New avenues of
harnessing energy will not only help the
KUMBH mela but also the city rest of the
year.
AFTER KUMBH: Use of structure

CLEANING THE AIR AND WATER:

Allahbad is one of the most polluted cities in

the world as discussed previously. Also,
Ganga river has the poorest quality of water
after passing haridwar, far from being safe
from bathing.
There is an urgent need to rectify these
issues to achieve basic health standards in
the city
AFTER KUMBH: Use of structure

DISASTER RELIEF:

Almost annually affected by flooding of the

river Ganga. Our proposal shall also provide
emergency shelters in case of disasters. The
same way it accommodates pop-up
accommodation for Kumbh mela.
AFTER KUMBH: Use of structure

SYMBOLISM:

The goal is to design the structure as a

sculptural culmination of the essence of the
spirituality associated with the Triveni
Sangam.

Showcasing the frugality of the Hindu way of

life, coming together of cultures and social
orders.
AFTER KUMBH: Use of structure

COMMUNITY SPACES:

The spiritual and strategic location of the

proposed structure will make it a natural
magnet of the city population and can be
utilised to accommodate adaptable public
spaces, offering views to the holy river,
peaceful meditation spots, community event
spaces for the plethora of indian festivals.
END...