The Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj is not just a spiritual event for millions of pilgrims but also a magnet for thousands of beggars, many employing creative or deceitful tactics to evoke sympathy and collect alms.

At Sangam Ghat, a woman sat near the water's edge, writhing in apparent pain while displaying a deep wound on her hand. With a plate placed before her, she repeatedly raised her injured hand, attracting a steady stream of coins, notes, and even grains from pilgrims. By evening, she packed her grains into a sack with the help of a man and quietly disappeared, her tactics carefully crafted to draw the maximum charity from those moved by the spirit of giving.

Pilgrims, however, seem unfazed by the questionable authenticity of such wounds. "When you come to the Kumbh, giving alms is part of the faith," said Shyam Sundar Yadav, a farmer from Hardoi. "Whether the wounds are fake or real is not my concern. My dharma is to give."

A Surge in Beggars from Across India

Before the event began, authorities estimated around 7,000 beggars in Prayagraj. Now, their numbers have ballooned to over 50,000 as beggars from districts like Pratapgarh, Mirzapur, Chitrakoot, Varanasi, and Kaushambi, as well as states like Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh, flock to the Kumbh. For many, the event represents a rare opportunity to collect alms on a scale impossible elsewhere.

"Beggars are a natural part of religious events like this," said Meera Devi, a teacher from Kanpur. "For us, donating to them is a way to earn good karma. If they are lying or deceiving, it is on them, not us."

The Mela's prime begging spots include Sangam Ghat, Akshay Vat, Akharas, and the Reclining Hanuman Temple. In these areas, beggars position themselves strategically, occupying fixed spots that they return to daily. At Sangam Nose, where devotees gather for holy dips, over 100 beggars line up to solicit alms. Many display gruesome injuries-often fake.

According to locals, these injuries are often crafted using animal fat and other materials to maintain the appearance of fresh wounds while keeping flies at bay. Pain-relief balms are sometimes applied to create an impression of genuine suffering. These "wounds" are refreshed daily, and the illusion is enough to convince most devotees. Adding to the spectacle are children dressed as deities, drawing particular attention from pilgrims. Eight-year-old Arti (name changed), dressed as Radha near the Hanuman Temple, shared her story. "It takes me an hour to get ready," she said, smiling. "Mummy also dresses like me and does the same work. Yesterday, I earned ?500." Sushma and her family arrived from Koraon in Prayagraj a week ago, capitalizing on the massive influx of pilgrims.

Such stories are common in areas like Sector 20, where thousands of beggars, including children, line the streets. A boy from Jamalpur in Jaunpur revealed that nearly 500 people from his village alone had come to beg at the Kumbh.

For some pilgrims, these children are difficult to ignore. "When a child dressed as Radha or Krishna asks for alms, how can you say no?" asked Sunita Verma, a homemaker from Agra. "It feels like giving to God directly."

Police Struggles to Control the Situation

The administration has been trying to tackle the surge in beggars. Vehicles frequently patrol key areas, picking up beggars and transporting them to shelters or hospitals. "Every night, the police come and take many of us away," said Sandeep, a disabled beggar near the Hanuman Temple. "But we always return the next day."

Vinay Kumar, a senior official overseeing operations, said, "We try to document every beggar we pick up and encourage them to return home, but they keep coming back. The tradition of charity during Kumbh is too strong, and they know they will get alms here."

Despite these efforts, beggars persist. Many see the Mela as their best chance to make a living, even if it means enduring repeated evictions.

The practice of giving alms during religious events like the Kumbh is deeply ingrained in Indian culture. "Charity during such occasions is an age-old tradition," explained Dr. Dhananjay Chopra, a professor at Allahabad University and an expert on the Maha Kumbh. "Bathing, meditation, and donation form the triad of spiritual practices at the Kumbh. This attracts not only genuine beggars but also those who exploit the generosity of devotees."

For pilgrims like Ram Narayan Singh, a retired school principal from Ghazipur, the authenticity of beggars is irrelevant. "This is my way of connecting with God," he said. "I don't care if the person is genuinely needy or pretending. My act of giving is what matters."

Faith, Generosity, and Deception

The Maha Kumbh, a grand spectacle of faith, charity, and devotion, also reveals the complex interplay between spirituality and exploitation. While some beggars genuinely struggle to survive, the prevalence of deceitful tactics raises questions about the morality of exploiting faith. Yet for most devotees, the act of giving remains sacred, a way to fulfill their spiritual duties and earn divine blessings.

As the Kumbh continues, the presence of beggars-both genuine and feigned-serves as a stark reminder of the enduring power of faith and the many ways it can be interpreted, celebrated, and, at times, manipulated.