India is a country with several religious festivals. Among those, Maha Kumbh Mela is one of the most important. Millions of people gather at the fair and take a dip into the holy river Ganga to wipe off all their sins.
Kumbh Mela is the biggest religious commemoration that happens every fourth year in India in four different places. Not only the pilgrims throughout India, but lots of tourists also from the country and abroad gather to take part in this biggest festival in India.
What is Kumbh Mela?
The word Kumbh refers to a pot or pitcher, while the word mela refers to a festival or fair. As per ancient Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu released drops of immortality nectar (carried in a Kumbh) in four of the places where the festival is celebrated today – Nashik, Prayagraj, Ujjain, and Haridwar. Saints and ascetics around the country gather here during the Kumbha Mela and it becomes a scene to watch.
Types of Kumbha Mela
In India, we can see different types of Kumbha Mela-
Maha Kumbha Mela
Maha Kumbha Mela is considered as once in a lifetime celebration for the Hindus. It appears every 144 years or after 12 Purna Kumbha Melas. This mega religious festival only happens in Prayag, Allahabad. As per mythology, Lord Brahma declared that taking bath in the River Ganga during Maha Kumbha Mela can liberate people from all their sins.
Not only them but taking a dip during Maha Kumbha Mela can free eighty-eight generations from sins and evils. The last Maha Kumbha Mela happened in 2013 and the next one will be after 144 years.
Purna Kumbha Mela
This Kumbha Mela is organized every 12 years in Allahabad where people take bath in the holy confluence of River Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati.
A magnificent fair is organized to celebrate the holy bath and millions of devotees attend the fair with prayers and devotion. The last Purna Kumbha Mela was held in 2013 and the next will be in 2025.
Ardh Kumbha Mela
Ardha Kumbha Mela means the half fair that is held every six years. This fair is celebrated only in Allahabad and Haridwar. The last Ardha Kumbha Mela was held in 2016 in Haridwar.
Kumbh Mela Destination
There are four places in India where you can visit the holy Kumbha Mela at its best.
1. Prayagraj
This is the place where Kumbh Mela is organized in the month of Magh as per the Hindu calendar. When the Sun and the Moon are on the Capricon and the Jupiter is in Taurus that is the perfect ‘Tithi’ for Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj.
At the confluence of River Ganga, Yamuna, and Sarawati, this fair happens in Allahabad. The city hosts Maha Kumbh Mela every 12 years and Ardh Kumbha every 6 years.
2. Haridwar
Being one of the holiest places in India, Haridwar is also the place where Maha Kumbha Mela is organized on the month of Chaitra.
When the Sun is in the Aries and Jupiter is in the Aquarius, this Kumbha Mela happens. On the banks of the River Ganges, this mela is organized and millions of devotees visit the place during this time.
3. Ujjain
Being one of the ancient cities of India, Ujjain also witnesses Maha Kumbha on the eastern bank of the Kshipra River.
At this place, Kumbha Mela is organized in the month of Vaisakha when Jupiter lies in Leo and the Sun is in Aries. This religious celebration also happens when the sun, moon, and Jupiter lie in Libra.
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4 Nashik
Nashik is already known as one of the cities to have religious festivals throughout the year. Kumbh Mela is one of those. It happens on the banks of River Godavari in the month of Bhadrapada when the sun and Jupiter lie in Leo.
So, these are the four places of Maha Kumbha Mela, organized in India. Each time people visit any of these Kumbha Mela to find salvation.
But, mentioning the places of Kumbha Mela is not the only important thing you want to know. There are several more significant things you should know about the religious festival so that you feel connected to the tradition and culture of India.
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History of Kumbha Mela – Fascinating Facts You Need to Know
Though there is no clear evidence why Kumbha Mela had been started in India, there are mythical stories related to it that you may find interesting.
Once the Devtaas got cursed by Durvasa Muni and lost all their strength. To regain their strength, they prayed to Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva, but they advised the devatas to worship Lord Vishnu for the purpose. Satisfied by their prayers of them, Lord Vishnu asked them to churn the Ksheera Sagara to get ‘Amrit’, the nectar of immortality. But, the devatas didn’t have that much strength to do the tiring task alone. So, they went on to a mutual agreement with the Asuras to give them half of ‘Amrit’.
The ‘Mandar Mountain’ was used as the churning rod while Lord Vishnu took up the ‘Kurma (turtle) Avatar’ to be on the base of the rod. Naag Vasuki became the rope for churning the Ksheera Sagara. When the pot (Kumbh) of Amrit came out of the ocean of milk, the devatas deceived the asuras and ran away with the pot, unwilling to give them any share. The asuras chased them and it continued for 12 days and 12 nights. During this time, the Amrit spilled over these four places- Allahabad, Nasik, Ujjain, and Haridwar. Since then, it is believed that taking a dip in the rivers of these places can earn you immortality and wipe off all your earthy sins. You can take steps towards salvation. As 12 days of gods is similar to 12 years of humankind, Kumbha Mela is celebrated every 12 years.
Kumbh Mela Rituals – What happens during the 48 days
- Deep Dan: The Lighting of Earthen Lamps
- Snan: The Religious Bath
- Yajnas and Kirtans: The Chanting of Prayers
- Darshan: Interacting with the Sages
- Pravachan: The Enlightening Religious Discussions
- Mahaprasada and Langar: The Celebratory Feast
- Aarti: The Devotional Singing
How Do You Attend Kumbha Mela?
As it is one of the biggest festivals in India, you have to book rooms in nearby hotels to reach the place of the fair quickly. The authorized authority arranges luxurious arrangements for the foreigners like tents with attached toilets, guides, and assortments. If you want to be a part of the gathering, aim to be there during the holy bath or ‘Shahi Snan’. It happens on an auspicious day, based on the position of the stars and the date is announced long before the mela begins.
Another exciting thing to visit in Maha Kumbha Mela is to visit the arrivals of various sadhus together in a procession. It happens at the beginning of the mela and is a view to watch.
What to Eat during the Mela?
If you can manage to book the tents, you can get eateries over there for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. During your trip to the mela, you will find tea stalls, juice stalls, etc. to keep you full. There are also several organizations that arrange lunch for the devotees, but you have to be in a long queue to get those. Always carry water bottles or buy mineral water to keep you hydrated.
So, here you get to know certain important things about Kumbha Mela. If you want to experience the mega event once in your lifetime, you should be all year of the announcement of the dates for the fair and the holy bath. For the photographers, Kumbha Mela is a visual treat. You will find outstanding subjects, like different types of sadhus, ‘Aarti’ on the ghats, a huge number of people taking baths, and so on.
Here are some more Indian festivals:
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