"Catholics in India support great Hindu festival"

cruxnow.com

"MUMBAI — Whenever it’s held, the great Hindu festival of Kumbh Mela is considered the world’s largest single act of pilgrimage. It’s a legendary intersection of mystical minds, spirituality, festivity, adventure and a cultural extravaganza, and it’s happening right now in the holy city of Ujjain in India’s Madhya Pradesh state.

Some 50 million people are expected to throng to the city during April and May for a ritual bath in the sacred river called 'Kshipra.' This time around, however, Hinduism’s millennia-old signature devotion is taking place with an assist from the local Catholic Church.

Bishop Sebastian Vadakel of Ujjain told Crux that the Church is offering a variety of services to pilgrims who come through the city for the festival, including free medical assistance in a special dispensary, care for children, and help for the disabled with free transportation and wheelchair facilities within what’s known as the 'mela area.'

On May 12, the Church is also planning to stage a special ceremony in collaboration with other faiths represented in Ujjain to honor the Hindu holy men and religious sages who come to the city to participate in the festival, Vadakel said.

Vadakel said the Church is mobilizing to help the Hindu pilgrims in the spirit of the special jubilee Year of Mercy called for by Pope Francis."