TestenGOLD- Free

A confluence of heritage and infra as Prayagraj prepares for Kumbh
Hindustan Times Bengaluru|December 14, 2024
MAHAKUMBH NAGAR (PRAYAGRAJ): The sun is already setting behind the Ganga when Ram Asrey and Harish Chandra start packing up their hammers and shovels.
- Rajeev Mullick
A confluence of heritage and infra as Prayagraj prepares for Kumbh

The 62- and 60-year-old have been at work since eight in the morning, helping widen the roads from Prayagraj leading to the Kumbh mela ground. Their limbs are sheathed in sweat beads despite the winter chill setting in.

"The Kumbh gives us livelihood for several months. We get ₹500 for eight hours of work. We are blessed to be part of this grand occasion, which witnesses a sea of people," Asrey, a resident of Kaushambhi, said.

They aren't the only ones. Around them, at least a thousand men and women are walking back to the temporary camp sites, where they will rest before returning to work afresh. Some of them who reside nearby head to their homes. Most of the workers are from adjoining areas such as Pratapgarh, Kaushambi and Phaphamau. The steady buzz of road rollers, excavators and cranes that had rent the air at Sangam City has suddenly fallen silent.

"We have a job on our hands, and we are racing against a deadline. We must finish the task by the first week of next month. The shorter days and winter chill will only make things difficult," 58-year-old Daya Ram, a worker from Phaphamau said.

The silence doesn't last long. Around 30 minutes later, a fresh army of workers descend upon the muddy expanse of land on the banks of the Ganga. They will work through the night, levelling the ghat and painting the boundary wall, and only put their tools down when Ram Asrey and Harish Chandra return in the morning.

This has been their draining routine for 50 days - channelising the river, widening the road and levelling the ghat- but no one is complaining. For them, this is holy work - building an abode for one of the holiest events in Hinduism, the duodecennial Maha Kumbh on the banks of the Ganga at the site of Sangam in Prayagraj between January 13 and February 26.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 14, 2024-Ausgabe von Hindustan Times Bengaluru.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 14, 2024-Ausgabe von Hindustan Times Bengaluru.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS HINDUSTAN TIMES BENGALURUAlle anzeigen
"I CRIED AFTER MY MATHS BOARD EXAM"
Hindustan Times Bengaluru

"I CRIED AFTER MY MATHS BOARD EXAM"

During a visit to his school as chief guest, actor Vedang Raina gets nostalgic about his days as a student

time-read
1 min  |
December 19, 2024
Hindustan Times Bengaluru

Oppn mounts attack on BJP, calls for action over remarks

Members of the INDIA bloc on Wednesday set aside differences to come together and attack the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over Union home minister Amit Shah's comment referring to Dr BR Ambedkar, jamming Parliament and holding protests.

time-read
1 min  |
December 19, 2024
India stresses on peace in key meet after thaw
Hindustan Times Bengaluru

India stresses on peace in key meet after thaw

India on Wednesday emphasised the need for a \"mutually acceptable framework\" for settling the boundary issue with China as talks between Special Representatives of the two sides focused on cross-border cooperation, such as resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, data sharing on trans-border rivers and border trade.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
December 19, 2024
Hindustan Times Bengaluru

Govt to move motion to form JPC on ONOP bills

The Union government will formally move a motion in the Lok Sabha on Thursday to constitute a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) on two bills that aim to usher in simultaneous national and state elections, and propose the names of 21 MPs of the Lower House as members.

time-read
1 min  |
December 19, 2024
Hindustan Times Bengaluru

India has every reason to be proud: Shahana on Santosh being shortlisted for Oscars nom

Actor Shahana Goswami's film Santosh, has inched closer to being nominated for the International Feature Film category in the 2025 Academy Awards.

time-read
1 min  |
December 19, 2024
Hindustan Times Bengaluru

Kapil Sharma says 'Don't spread hate' amid criticism for alleged racist remark against Atlee

Comedian-talk show host Kapil Sharma has been facing intense criticism for seemingly making a joke about filmmaker Atlee's appearance on his comedy-talk show, The Great Indian Kapil Sharma Show.

time-read
1 min  |
December 19, 2024
Hindustan Times Bengaluru

Unbreakable Santosh back to rallying with an eye on Dakar

Astride a rally spec of Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, CS Santosh was riding through the dirt on the banks of the Egidillo river in Spain when memories of him flying through the dunes at the Dakar Rally flashed across his mind. \"It felt the same as when I did the Dakar for the very first time. I loved it then and I love it now,\" says the 41-year-old.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
December 19, 2024
Hindustan Times Bengaluru

UP Police announce ₹25,000 reward for accused in Sunil Pal, Mushtaq Khan abductions

The Meerut Police in Uttar Pradesh has announced a reward of ₹25,000 for information on Lavi Pal, the main accused in the abductions of comedian Sunil Pal and actor Mushtaq Khan.

time-read
1 min  |
December 19, 2024
Hindustan Times Bengaluru

INDIA-PAK CLASH TO KICK OFF KHO KHO WORLD CUP

A total of 24 nations, including Pakistan, are expected to participate in the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup here next month with Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) planning to take the indigenous sport to new territories, KKFI president Sudhanshu Mittal said on Wednesday.

time-read
1 min  |
December 19, 2024
Hindustan Times Bengaluru

India leave the Gabba with honours even

At almost all times during the Brisbane Test, Australia were ahead of the game.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
December 19, 2024

Wir verwenden Cookies, um unsere Dienste bereitzustellen und zu verbessern. Durch die Nutzung unserer Website stimmen Sie zu, dass die Cookies gesetzt werden. Learn more