Kumbh Mela 2019: A Step Ahead in the 5th Dham Journey
Date :- February 21, 2019
New Delhi [India], Feb 20 (ANI): Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious congregations in the world, continues to captivate millions of devotees every twelve years. This year, Kumbh Mela 2019 is marked as the costliest edition yet, with the Indian government and Uttar Pradesh state investing Rs. 4,236 crores into the event. The gathering spans 32 square kilometers, featuring over 40 bathing ghats and bustling with over 150 million people participating in sacred prayers and ritual baths at the Ganga River, especially on the Maghi Purnima day, marking the end of the month-long penance of Kalpwasi pilgrims.
While the Kumbh Mela has centuries of historical significance, the spiritual journey is expanding globally with the introduction of the 5th Dham. This new pilgrimage site in Siem Reap, Cambodia, merges the principles of Sanatana Dharma with sacred geography, attracting a growing community of devotees. Dr. Sailesh Lachu Hiranandani, the founder of the 5th Dham, initiated this spiritual vision in 1993, aiming to unite Sanatanis across the globe.
In 2010, Dr. Hiranandani teamed up with Ms. Mary Mam to connect the proposed 5th Dham to Cambodia. With guidance from Guruji Kumaran Swami between 2012-2013, the vision of 5th Dham took a global form, bringing together followers from Southeast Asia and beyond. Guruji Kumaran Swami, alongside Mr. Indresh Kumar of the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), has now furthered this mission, pledging to spread the teachings of Sanatana Dharma worldwide.
As part of this global outreach, RSS leaders like Mr. Indresh Kumar and Mr. Shailesh Vats participated in Kumbh Mela 2019 on February 14th and 15th, emphasizing the importance of traditional bathing rituals. The RSS also flagged off the Sanathana Ratha, a symbolic vehicle carrying the message of 5th Dham to devotees, during a stone-breaking ceremony in Siem Reap with Guruji Kumaran Swamiji.
In line with this spiritual movement, the 1008 Names of Shiva Association, operating out of Cambodia, has established a stall at Kumbh Mela to educate pilgrims about the significance of the 5th Dham and its spiritual offerings. Trustees of the association include prominent figures like Mr. Mahendra Joshi, Mr. Indresh Kumar, Mr. Shyam Parande, Ms. Mary Mam, and Mr. Rahul Shah, who are actively involved in promoting the cause and raising awareness.
The association is working on various humanitarian projects in Cambodia, such as Anna Dhan (free food distribution), elder care, orphanage support, and widow remarriage initiatives. Furthermore, they are conducting contests for Kumbh Mela pilgrims, offering an all-expenses-paid trip to the 5th Dham in Cambodia. Winners will visit Cambodia’s sacred sites like Angkor Wat (the world’s largest Hindu temple) and Siem Reap, which houses over a thousand Shiva Lingas.
The collaboration between RSS, 1008 Names of Shiva Association, and SRAM & MRAM Group aims to foster spiritual goodwill, peace, and humanitarian values. Through their combined efforts, they are not only contributing to the 5th Dham's growth but also advancing the mission of Sanatana Dharma across the globe.
