New Delhi, March 17 -- The Maha Kumbh carnival is finally over. Many in the state government would breathe easy, playing down the deaths, the stampede and the crowds that got out of hand.

The Kumbh is a Hindu pilgrimage that dates back to thousands of years. This particular one, called the Mahakumbh, was significant given that it coincided with a rare celestial alignment or the Triveni Yog, which took place after 144 years.

The belief is that a dip in the confluence of the rivers at this point in time washes away sins and leads to salvation or moksha.

The Kumbh Mela is the world's largest religious festival.

It is this that was turned into a jamboree between January 13 and February 26 this year: a jamboree like never before: "Unpr...