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India Gate Thar Desert Omkareshwar Shopping in Delhi Kanyakumari
The Maha Kumbh Mela is mass Hindu pilgrimage where individuals from all walks of life congregate at the holy rivers of Ganga, Yamuna and the mystical river of Saraswati where bathing is considered as an act of expiation from former sins. Kumbh Mela is celebrated in three different ways one is the Ardh Kumb Mela that is celebrated every six years at Haridwar and Allahabad and the second is the Purna (complete) Kumbh Mela that is celebrated every twelve years at four places that is Allahabad, Hardiwar, Ujjain and Nashik. The Maha Kumbh Mela or the Greatest Kumbh Mela as it is known comes after 12 Purna Kumbh Melas or 144 years and it is celebrated in Allahabad. This is considered as one of the largest religious congregations in the world comprising not only of the Hindu faithful but also individuals from varied walks of life and around the globe. The event is a religious and at the same time cultural spectacle. Holiness is best reflected in the festival so much so that individual from around the world can be found in attendance at the Mela. More than a religious festival over the years it has evolved into a mass Indian culture where devotees irrespective of the strata of living that they belong to partake in the spiritualist celebration of gyan (knowledge), bhakti (devotion) and Karma (work). This festival is also celebration of sanctity and salvation.
Kumb in literally translation means “pot”. Symbolized by the pot of nectar that was obtained from churning out the sea hence the mela is also a festival of spiritual and devotional immortality. The Kumb is also seen as a platform for radiance and enlightenment for one’s individual wisdom through knowledge and the teaching of the saints but also ebbs devotees and the faithful to experience within themselves through devotion to God in the rightful manner as also through control of the thoughts and senses. This festival moreover is a celebration of the perpetuity and the liveliness of Hindu culture and also Indian culture. It reflects the unity in diversity of India and also the richness and the unity of cultures. It is also put forward an opportunity for individual to understand the religious and the cultural aspects of this festival.
The origin of Kumbh Mela.
The origin of the Kumbh Mela goes back to the times to the mythological tale of the Sagar Manthan or the ‘churning out of the sea’. Legend has it that the Devtas and Demigods were under the curse the Gods. The exasperated devtas asked God for the living saying nectar that would restore them to health and also give them immortality. However Brahma advised that the nectar of immortality could be obtained by only churning out the sea. Lord Vishnu the preserver of the universe mount Mero could only be churned with the help of Vasuki (mythical serpent) could be used as the coil to churn out the ocean. It is said that eventually specutular gifts emerged from the great ocean that include Laxmi the Goddess of Prosperity, Sura the Goodness of Wine, The precious gem of Lord Vishnu, the divine horse Parijatha, Kamdhenu the wish fulfilling Cow, Airvati the white tusked elephant, Panchajanya or the conch, Sharanga the invisible bow, Dhanvantari, Nimi and Bharadwaj the physicians and surgeons. Then appeared Halhala venomous poison that had the potency to destroy the universe this was swallowed by Lord Shiva. Finally amrit emerged. The asuras also tried to take a few drops but failed in their pursuit. Some of the drops are believed to have failed on the present day towns of Ujjain and Nashik.
Kumbh Mela celebrations
Kumbh Mela is celebrated at an interval of 12 days on the basis of astronomical calculations. The astrological positions of the different Kumbh festival are as follow:
Prayag Kumbh- When Jupiter is in Aries and the sun and the moon are in Capricorn.
Haridwar Kumbh- When Jupiter is in Aries and the Sun is in Aries
Ujjain Kumbh- When Jupiter is in Leo and Sun is in Aries
Nashik Kumbh-When Jupiter and Sun are in Leo together. The event is called Sinhasth and hence Nashik Kumbh is also known as Sinhasth Kumbh.
The significance of the Kumbh bath have been well documented in sacred scriptures. It is stated among the best pilgrimage and the greatest among festivals.
Most Significant days in Kumbh Mela
Makar Sankranti- A holy bath during this period carries special significance. Those who take a dip in the holy rivers of Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri are benefitted from this pious act.
Paush Purnima- This day occurs on full moon day. The last full moon day of the winter. By this time Sadhu and pilgrims arrive at the Kumbh
Mauni Amavasya Snan- this the main day of bathing. This is also the day holy monastic orders receive their first initiation on this day.
Basant Panchami Snan- This is the fifth day of the luminous half of the moon, and is also the beginning of spring in North India
Rath Spatami Snan- Ramsaptami Snan is observed on the seventh day of Shukla Paksh in Mag month (January-February) in the traditional hindu calender.
Bhishma Ekadasi Snan- On this day, Bhishma Pithamaha, the oldest, wisest, most powerful and most righteous person belonging to the Kuru dynasty (approx. over 5000 years ago), narrated the greatness of Lord Krishna through Sri Vishnu Sahasranama to Yudhishtira, the oldest brother of Pandavas.
