Gyanendra Tiwari

This paper discusses the grand religious pilgrimage in Prayagraj, formerly Allahabad, every twelve years, where the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati rivers converge. The study, therefore, explores the connection between dharmic ecology—an environmental consciousness deeply rooted in Indian spirituality and the concept of liminality. This transitional phase allows for transformation in the Kumbh Mela. Dharmic ecology and liminality are spiritual and metaphysical to conceptualize how Kumbh Mela changes human relationships with nature, time, and self, making it a significant ritual ecology event. Pilgrims treat nature as a corpus and spirituality and interact with the environment based on their religious orientation (Eliade 1959: 119). Kumbh Mela is a religious practice that marks harmony with the cosmic order or Ṛta, ensuring that human practices are coordinated with celestial movements to determine when this event will occur. The focal point of this ritual is the Śāhī Snāna, or royal bath, in which devotees seek not only spiritual purification but also ecological healing, as rivers represent purifiers. From this angle, divine presence within these water bodies embodies the ecodharmic perspective: seeing nature as sacred beings, not just natural resources. This religious interaction, then, underscores a ritual for ecological consciousness and means to point out the mutual interdependence between humans and nature.

The documentary Maharaja Burger (2000) explores the intricate relationship between cultural views, globalization, and the ethical treatment of animals. The film illustrates how globalization can conflict with deeply ingrained cul- tural beliefs in countries like India, where the cow holds sacred status. The film contrasts Eastern reverence for cows with Western commodification. The issues this documentary covers are especially interesting from Jainism’s non- violent ethics. The values concerning life, nature, and ethical living, as under- stood in the context of Jain philosophy, can further shed light on how these ancient principles differ or coincide with the current ecological discourses.