The Matsu Pilgrimage in Taiwan. And you thought Camino Frances is crowded!!

[Deleted member 67185]

I was watching a PBS program about Taiwans' Matsu Pilgrimage which occurs once a year. Nine days of stages covering about 220 miles. Over a million people participate during these 9 days. A couple of YouTube videos:

 

[Bradypus]

Only one million? Hardly worth mentioning The Kumbh Mela is underway right now in India. The largest religious gathering on earth. It is estimated that on 15 January - the first day - as many as 2.25 crore people took part. Doesn't sound much if you are unfamiliar with Indian numbering. But 1 crore = 10 million. So that is about 22 million people all there on the one day, with many more to follow in the next few weeks. Astonishing.

https://www.latestly.com/india/news...end-first-shahi-snan-in-prayagraj-596333.html

 

[Deleted member 73526]

Crore blimey!

 

[Bradypus]

Thanks for posting these videos @davebugg - such a huge and spectacular event and I had never even heard of it.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Thanks for posting these videos @davebugg - such a huge and spectacular event and I had never even heard of it.

Nor I. I sorta tripped onto the show while scanning the program guide. Watching the program, I was also thinking that the Matsu pilgrim's sleeping accommodations make most of the albergues along the Camino Frances look like a Parador by comparison.