Maha Kumbh, holy bath of Akharas, Allahabad

From the archive record

Bathing in the Ganga at any time during the Kumbh earns salvation for the devotees. However, there are 6 days that are considered more precious. At the Maha Kumbh, the new moon night or the Mauni Amavasya is the most special after 144 years the stars would arrange themselves in a unique formation and the most auspicious time to bathe lasts exactly 70 minutes. It's a small window considering millions of devotees and barely 350 meters long stretch where bathing can take place to accommodate all. The tradition is that the Akharas and holy men will bathe first then only the ordinary pilgrims can enter the water. The order in which the 13 Akharas will take the holy dip often become a contentious issue, yet one more occasion for them to reiterate hierarchy. In the past, this is often led to viol