Taking The Holy Dip: Scores Of Foreigners Adopt Sanatana Dharma At Prayagraj Kumbh

A large number of foreigners who have come to attend the world’s largest religious congregation - Kumbh Mela - have adopted the Sanatan Dharma as their way of life, reports ANI.

According to the report, they have adopted Sanatana Dharma to start their journey towards moksha (liberation), with many of them gathering information about the Dharma so they can spread the ideas in their respective countries after returning.

Many of them, both men and women, can be seen with their heads shaved, sandalwood Tilak applied on their foreheads and offering prayers to the gods and goddesses, in celebration of the Dharmic way of life.

Raghunath Rajji, who helps the seekers from foreign countries in adoption of Sanatana Dharma, said that a total of 20 stalls have been set up in the area to provide them with the desired information and support. He adds that almost 500 foreigners have adopted the Sanatana Dharma in one setup alone.

The Kumbh is the largest human congregation in the world, with lakhs of pilgrims participating in the festival. A tradition going back hundreds of years, it promises those who take a dip in the holy water of the river Ganga, washing away of their sins and a path towards salvation.

With this year’s Kumbh beginning with a turnout of 1.5 crore and the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) having arrested nine men suspected of a planning a mass poisoning plot during the Kumbh, the local police is keeping a strong vigil to ensure tight security arrangements at the event.

The members of the group, which called itself ‘Ummat-e-Mohammadia’ (loosely translated as ‘followers of Mohammad’) are accused of planning the attack. The security personnel are monitoring the river bank and its tributaries, and have also restricted the vehicular movement in Prayagraj, due to heavy rush of the tourists.