Kumbh Mela

Kumbh mela assumes immense importance among the people in India. It is the only festival that occurs once every twelve years. The mela forms the largest religious gathering in the world. Hundred of thousands of sadhus and yogis from far away places come especially to take a holy dip in the sacred Ganga Water. The whole atmosphere conjures up the vision of time honored rituals and immense faith that people in India, still have for the ancient living traditions.

The pilgrimage occurs four times every twelve years, at four locations including Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik. Each twelve year cycle includes Maha Kumbh mela at Prayag (Allahabad) and others are termed as Ardh (Half) Kumbh Mela, attended by millions of people. Last Maha Kumbh held here was in 2001. 2013 Maha Kumbh Mela will be held in January and February Allahabad (Prayag).

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Historical Significance

The history of Kumbh mela is as old as the creation of the universe legends. The story behind its celebration goes somewhat like this - thousands of years ago, during he Vedic age, gods and demons agreed to churn the ocean to retrieve the Kumbh (pot) containing nectar of immortality (Amrit) and it was to be shared equally between the two. However, when the pot containing the amrita appeared, the demons run away with the pot. This led to the fight between the gods and demons. For the continuous twelve days and twelve nights, they fought with against each other in order to get amrita. It is said that during the war, drops of amrita fell on to four places - Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik. Thus, Kumbh mela is observed at four places where nectar (amrita) fell.

Ritual Bath

A sacred bath at a predetermined time and place is the major event of this auspicious mela. Legends has it that by taking a dip in the holy Ganges on this event, one can be freed from all the sins of life. Some say it is the direct way to attain Moksha.

Other Highlights

Apart from ritual bath, other highlights of the fair includes spiritual discussions, devotional singing, religious gatherings, and mass feeding of holy men/women and the poor. Kumbha Mela (especially the Maha Kumbha Mela) is the most sacred of all the Hindu pilgrimages. Thousands of holy men/women (monks, saints, sadhus) grace the occasion by their presence. The suspiciousness of Kumbha Mela is in part attributed to the gathering of thousands of holy men/women at one place on earth.

Bathing dates for Ardh Kumbh

• 14 January 2010 (Thursday) - Makar Sankranti - First Snan
• 15 January 2010 (Friday) - Mauni Amavasya and Surya Grahan (Solar Eclipse) -
  Second Snan
• 20 January 2010 (Wednesday) - Vasant Panchami - Third Snan
• 30 January 2010 - (Saturday) Magh Purnima - Fourth Snan
• 12 to 13 February 2010 (Friday) - Mahashivratri - Pratham Shahi Snan - First Royal Bath
• 15 March 2010 (Monday)- Somvati Amavasya - Dvitya Shahi Snan - Royal Bath for six Akharas of Vaishnav and Udasi sects
• 24 March 2010 (Wednesday) - Ram Navami - Fifth Snan
• 30 March 2010 (Tuesday) - Chaitra Purnima Snan: Royal Bath for six Akharas of Vaishnav and Udasi sects
• 14 April 2010 (Wednesday) - Amavasya of Krishna Paksh (dark fortnight) of month of Baisakh (Vaisakha or Jyeshtha) - Pramukh Shahi Snan MAIN ROYAL BATH for six Akharas of Vaishnav and Udasi sects
• 28 April 2010 (Wednesday) - Vaishakha (Shakh) Purnima - Snan

Upcoming Kumbh Mela

• Haridwar Ardha Kumbh Mela 2010 (Jan.-April)
• Haridwar (the gateway to God) will host the Ardha Kumbha mela in the year 2010
• Allahabad (Prayag) Maha Kumbh Mela 2013 (January 27th to February 25th)
• The Maha Kumbha Mela will again be held at Allahabad (Prayag) in the year 2013.
• Nasik Maha Kumbh Mela 2015 (August 15th to September 13th)
• Nasik will host the Maha Kumbha Mela in 2015
• Ujjan Maha Kumbh Mela 2016 (April 22nd to May 21st)