Catalogue of Czech Television Programmes
Maha Kumbh Mela, or the Great Kumbh Mela, is the largest religious festivity in the world, with up to a hundred million people participating in the event. It takes place in India on the confluence of the sacred rivers Jammuna and Ganges, and although primarily Hinduistic, people of various creeds gather here in peace from all over India and many parts of the world. Kumbh Mela takes place once in 12 years, but the great Kumbh Mela only once in 144 years. The date of the festivity is given through the constellations: Jupiter must enter the House of the Bull and stand in a precisely defined position towards Saturn and the Sun. That is the moment when drops of immortality from the ancient sacred cup emerge from the cold water of the rivers. To bathe in this water gives a human a great chance for liberation from the eternal circle of reincarnation. The colourful mixture of yogis, spiritual masters, naked Nagas and ascetes who spend years standing on one foot or holding their hand above their head, creates a unique mosaic of this devout world of people who usually seek solitude. Several Czechs emerged from this ocean of people, and film director Viliam Poltikovič with cinematographer Michal Hýbek dwelled among them for two weeks. They had come to try and catch the atmosphere of this tremendously dynamic gathering of spiritual seekers of peace, to witness the event from the standpoint of a European. Director Poltikovič, who took up spiritual subjects and Eastern philosophies many years ago (he has also worked with the Dalai Lama of Tibet several times) soon won the confidence of the local yogis who helped him take film shots even in places forbidden to Western television units. The 60-minute documentary is therefore a unique opportunity to be present when humankind’s spiritual history is being written.
SD | 58´ | © 2001
director(s): Viliam Poltikovič
producer(s): Czech Television
scriptwriter(s): Viliam Poltikovič
director of photography: Michal Hýbek
cast: Miroslav Moravec, Vladimír Fišer - voice over
original language: Czech
subtitles available: English