Hours before Jupiter moved into Leo’s constellation at 11.51 am, cameras were lugged through the Godavari to the top of a marble structure at Ramkund. While social commentators analysed the Kumbh’s relevance to a society in transition, TV journalists tried to frame the all-encompassing, awe-inspiring view of nearly two lakh pilgrims who gathered for the opening ceremony.As the crowds surged ahead towards the waters of the Godavari, it seemed the presence of the travelling media circus had overwhelmed devotees more than the significance of the event. Cheer for us, show us some gusto, said the media. The crowd loved the idea. Devotees jumped from bridges, diving in head first and asking cameramen if they wanted a retake. Religion at Ramkund had entered the world of convergence. Kumbh Mela minutes Ignorant Minister After the flag-hoisting at Ramkund, Minister of State for Home Kripashankar Singh called up journalists saying that he was the first to take a holy dip and his wife Malti Singh was the second. He did not seem to be aware of the fact that the flag-hoisting had nothing to do with holy dips, scheduled from August 17 onwards. Waiting for Thackeray z Mahant Parmanand Saraswati of Shambhu Panch Juna Dashnam Akhada was all praise for Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray. ‘‘Thackeray chhip ke baithe hein. Ve jara bahar nikle to maza aayen. (Thackeray is hiding away. If he comes out, it would be nice),’’ he said. (Rakshit Sonawane) The surge was not lost on Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, Raj Thackeray or Manohar Joshi. They strained to reach out to pilgrims who savoured it as yet another story to tell their grandkids.The cameras may eventually become a footnote in the story of the festival’s mass intensity. But today, standing knee-deep in chilly currents at Ramkund, the media seemed to exercise a more powerful influence on the day’s agenda than the heavenly constellation.Among those who indulged in posing for the camera were the sadhus who boycotted the opening flag hoisting ceremony. Union Minister Dilip Gandhi’s intervention managed to convince some of them to reconsider their decision.‘‘Gandhi spoke to Tourism Minister Jagmohan’s PA, seeking an assurance that the issue would be given due consideration,’’ said mahant of the Panch Dashnam Juna Akhada, Kailashpuriji Maharaj. Later, sadhus flocked around Deputy CM Chhagan Bhujbal to ask about the arrangements for the Kumbh. After a brief exchange of words, Bhujbal brushed them aside. This angered the sadhus who raised slogans against him.
