NOTE: Rayelan asks me to post the following which was sent to her by a reader.

Rayelan

RE: Various posts concerning Kumba Mela & Age of Kali

According to the Vedic scriptures the cosmic manifestation goes through
a cycle of four influences which are called yugas. The four yugas are
Satya, Treta, Dvapara & Kali.

We are currently in Kali-yuga which is the most degraded and godless
age. I'm sorry to inform you that this age lasts for 432,000 years. We
still have about 426,000 years to go.

"The duration of the material universe is limited. It is manifested in

cycles of kalpas. A kalpa is a day of Lord Brahma, and one day of
Brahma consists of a thousand cycles of four yugas or ages: Satya,
Treta, Dvapara and Kali." (purport Bhagavad-gita As It IS 8:17)

Satya-yuga (age of goodness) 1,728,000 yrs.
Treta-yuga 1,296,000 yrs.
Dvapara-yuga 864,000 yrs.
Kali-yuga 432,000 yrs. (purport Bhagavad-gita As It IS 8:17)

The Supreme Lord Incarnates into the material universe in each yuga.
The incarnation for Kali-yuga is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu appeared in this world about 550 yrs ago. His appearance
brings on the Golden Age of Kali-yuga. This is a 10,000 year window
within the age of Kali-yuga. This window slows the degrading process of
Kali-yuga and allows all living entities to partake in pure love of God.
But, we must accept this blessing and purify our hearts.

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's message was that, the best purification for
this age is the chanting of the Lord's holy names. That's why the
devotees of Lord Krsna chant: Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare
Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. Hare, Krsna and Rama are
all names of God.

You can chant ANY names of God! The point is that you must act to
remember God. The Kali-yuga IS NOT OVER! The reprieve we get from it's
influence is UP TO US and how much devotion we show to our Lord. It is
bogus propaganda to misinform the ignorant that just because it's the
Maha Kumba-mela that everything will be OK now.

I personally have serious concerns about the spiritual advancement of
humanity. There is definitely a struggle for man's soul going on at
present. Sri Krsna, Lord Buddha, Lord Jesus, Lord Muhammad all allow us
our free will. It's OUR RESPONSIBILITY HOW WE EMPLOY IT!

These are very deep and complex subjects. Please forgive me for my very
brief overview. Srila Prabhupada has instructed that one must object
when he sees ignorance. The western world knows very little of the true
meaning of the Vedic scriptures. In fact, I offered to send you a copy
of Srila Prabhupada's "Bhagavad-gita As It Is" Unfortunately you gave
no response.

Wishing you well.
Haribol