Prayagraj:
For millions of Hindu-Pelgrims on the millennia-old vast Kumbh Mela festival, the highlight of their journey is ritual baths in the holy waters where holy rivers meet.
And as long as everyone can remember, the generations of Bootmannen of the Nishad community that have granted the ferry service are dedicated to the holiest site on the confluence of rivers.
“We bring the devoted to the holy place in our boat,” said 52-year-old Bootman Chhote Lal Nishad, back after taking six pilgrims out of the water at the dawn in his narrow wooden boat.
“We allow pilgrims to bathe with love and happiness and then return safely.”
Nishad Boatmen say that they are the proud heirs of an old profession, not only transport pilgrims, but also tell the meaning of the waters and the religious history of the Kumbh Mela.
With years of navigation experience, they often help save drowning baths.
Hindus believe that those who immerse themselves in the waters clean themselves from sin, get rid of the cycle of rebirth and ultimately rescue.
Nishad Boatmen Row the pilgrims throughout the year, but trading stics during the six -week Kumbh Mela that is held every 12 years, which runs until 26 February.
Dozens of millions of people go to the festival in the Prayagraj of Uttar Pradesh.
Nishad Boatmen Row de Pelgrims all year round, but the trade stands during the Kumbh Mela.
Photocredit: AFP
VIAJ NISHAD, 23, from the same community as Chhote Lal Nishad but no relationship, is part of the new generation of rowers and passes the legacy of his father.
“It is because of us that devoted can visit the Holy Site and take a dip in the river,” he said with pride.
'Joy and experience'
Normally the boatmen take pilgrims to the heart of the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, where Hindus believe that the mythical Saraswati river is also flows.
But this year the authorities blocked the boatmen from the busiest areas for safety reasons during the festival.
“The river is the only support for the Nishad community,” said Chhote Lal Nishad, who has been rowing pilgrims since his boy. “If there is no river, we will die from hunger.”
“I had great hope that I could earn some money for the children,” he added. “That hope is crushed.”
Organizers say that the size of the Kumbh Mela is of a temporary country, with a bragging that no fewer than 400 million pilgrims are expected.
Last month at least 30 people were killed and much more injured after a rising crowd from a police cordon was spilled and bystanders trampled.
The boatmen still take pilgrims to holy seaside resorts, but somewhat away from the confluence that is repressed with crowds.
Despite the limitation for many pilgrims, they remain busy that they prefer the traditional boats instead of larger modern crafts.
“The wooden boat moves slowly and the joy and experience … is something you can't feel in modern boats,” said Ajeet Kaur Prajapati, 60, from the capital Delhi.
“The pleasure of eating food cooked by your mother is the same pleasure as traveling in a wooden boat,” she said.
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