We are told that an astonishing 60 crore people visited the Maha Kumbh Mela to celebrate the benefaction of a once-in-144-year celestial alignment and the redemptive confluence (Sangam) of rivers. Of course, in matters of faith, it is always best to lean towards temperance. But even by the most modest estimates, it is safe to say that the record for spiritual migration anywhere on Earth has been shattered many times over at the Maha Kumbh.

The turnout has remained consistently impressive throughout the duration of the Mela. Even a tragic stampede failed to dampen the ardour of the attendees. If anything, the numbers surged on the next auspicious snan day. Not once did the monster traffic jams or visuals of dangerously overcrowded trains serve as a deterrent. Even when the Opposition, led by Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, Lalu Prasad, and several others, cautioned pilgrims against attending—citing alleged mismanagement by the Uttar Pradesh administration—the devotees kept coming.

Those who consider themselves experts in these matters are surprised. They........

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