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Mahakumbh mela is the only place in the world where 84 crore Gods take bath on makar skranti and other auspicious days. They also take human forms to get the blessings of Lord Narayana, Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma.

Kumbha Mela Parva is an important festival of Hindu Dharma, crores of devotees bath in Kumbh Mela, Haridwar, Prayag, Ujjain and Nashik – in total more than 43 crores bathers took divine dip in rivers and Ganges of respective Kumbh cities (it includes Prayag’s holy dip of 24 crore bhakts).

According to astronomical calculations, Kumbh Parvr starts on the day of Makar Sankranti, when the sun and moon enter into the Scorpio amount and Jupiter, Aries. This yog of Makar Sankranti is called “Kumbh snan-yog” and this day is considered as very auspicious, because the doors of high places from the earth are open, bathing develops cosmic connection with the supreme Bhagwan and his demigods. Body, mind and soul get energized, physically and spiritually. Bathing during this time is so pure and pious that Gods from Swarg come down to bath. Kumbh is not hold in Paradise, humans are blessed to witness it.

Maha Kumbh Parv Mela

Contents

1 Maha Kumbh Parv Mela

The Maha Kumbh Mela of Prayag (Allahabad)

According to Vedic Script, holy dip in sacred river during Maha Kumbh or Ardh Kumbh takes human out of the circle of life & death (also called as Moksha or salvation). Usually 2 crore to 3 crore bhakts take holy dip on first day in prayag.

The place becomes pious due to presence of real bhakts who renounced their wealth, near and dear ones. The mela has an aura that emits highest level of positive atmosphere due to presence of Sadhus, Sages and Saints.

Remember Sadhus who remain in secluded place, far away from the material world and residents of this world are only Siddh Sadhus and Mahakumbh is the only chance to actually meet them. Its is these Sadhus due to whom the earth is balanced and Bharat desh (India) has some amount of piousness left; which will gradually degrade as Kaliyuga surpasses its age. Hindus should stay away from fake saints who call themselves as living God. You should also take note of this fact that God only takes avatar as mentioned in Vedic Scripts. They never come in the body as devi or deva and never take birth they are Ajanma (unborn) since taking birth is a phase for human and other living beings to pass on to 84 lakh cycles of death/birth. So Beware and do not fall prey to fake saints.

Kumbh Mela Parv Process

Bathing Ghats in Kumbh Mela

Bathing in the holy river on the auspicious occasion of Kumbh Mela is the most important activity for millions of people in India. A large tented city is erected and pilgrims stay at tents owned by Pandas (religious and spiritual guides) and at various ashrams. Others will just camp on the ground or turn up for the actual bathing day. Some of these bathing days are designated “royal,” and it is on these days that the naga sadhus (naked mendicants) parade and bathe. On other days there will still be people bathing and other events and random processions.

यह आस्था की शक्ति है जो एक नदी को भाग सकती है, पहाड़ों को स्थानांतरित कर सकती है, और कुंभ मेले का एक अभिन्न अंग होने के लिए बंधी हुई कठिनाइयों को सहन कर सकती है, लाखों लोगों की एक मंडली, जीवन के छोटे से चक्र से मुक्त होने के लिए एकत्र हुई और मृत्यु और एक स्वर्गीय क्षेत्र की ओर बढ़ना, जो कोई दुख या पीड़ा नहीं जानता है।

Bathing Ghats in Haridwar

Har ki Pauri

This sacred Ghat was constructed by King Vikramaditya in memory of his brother Bhartrihari. It is believed that Bhartrihari eventually came to Haridwar to meditate by the banks of holy Ganga. When he died, his brother constructed a Ghat in his name which later came to be known as Har-Ki-Pauri. This sacred bathing ghat is also known as Brahmakund Ghat. Vikramaditya remains an enigma; some historians date his reign to 57 BC, others to the sixth century AD. The reflection of golden hues of floral diyas in the river Ganga is the most enchanting sight in the twilight during the Ganga Aarti ceremony.

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Parwah Ghat

Immediately south of the main Ganga temple is the Asthi Prawah Ghat, where the ashes of the dead are immersed in the Ganga, in the belief that as with the 60,000 sons of Sanger, the cooling waters of the river will bestow salvation upon the departed soul.

Subhash Ghat

Subhash Ghat, with a statue of the freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, is adjacent to Har-Ki-Pauri. The Sewa Samiti, another voluntary organization, runs a dispensary here and also assists pilgrims.

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South of Subhash Ghat is Gau Ghat, where people seek atonement for the sin of cow-slaughter (gau means cow). The unique veneration of cow in India goes back 3500 years. The cow was “Kamadhenu”, the fulfiller of desires, and a cherished item of wealth. Death ceremonies were completed with the pious act of donating a cow. The sin of killing a cow is “equal to the sin of killing a Brahmin”.

Prayag Snan in Prayag Sthal (Allahabad)

Prayag Snan or bathing in the confluence of the river Ganges and Jamuna is of great importance. It is believed that it washes away all the sins and the cycle of rebirth and death ends as the soul becomes one with God Almighty.

Significance of Maha Kumbh Mela

Religious Importance of Kumbh Mela

Kumbh Mela festival is religiously most important for the Hindus. At every Kumbh occasion, millions of Hindus take part in the celebrations. Irrespective of all worldly barriers of caste, creed, region, the Kumbh Mela has wielded a mesmeric influence over the minds and the imagination of the ordinary Indian.

The festival is visited by the most amazing saints from all across India. Some of the famous saints groups are:

The Naga Sadhus are one such, who never wear any cloth and are smeared in ash. They have long matted hairs and are not at all affected by the extremes of heat and cold. They are siddh sadhus. They are Shiv Bhakts.
Urdhwavahurs, who believe in putting the body through severe austerities. Some stand on one foot for decades others keep their one hand upright for several years. They are also followers of Hath Yoga and have control on absorbing any amount pains. They are siddh sadhus.
Parivajakas, who have taken a vow of silence and go about tinkling little bells to get people out of their way. They are siddh sadhus.
Shirshasins stand all 24 hours and meditate for hours standing on their heads. They are siddh sadhus.

Kalpvasis are who spend entire month of Kumbh on the banks of Ganga, meditating, performing rituals and bathing thrice a day.

Why Hindus Visit Kumbh Mela

Kumbh Mela – The Largest Congregation of Humanity

Kumbh Mela is the largest concentration of religious gathering in the world. It’s held once in 12 years this festival is a must visit during a trip to India.

Disburden Sins and take a Dip, Make a Wish

According to Hindu mythologies, this is the only time and place in the world where a person can disburden his sins and achieve ‘Nirvana’ from the vicious cycle of birth and re birth. Take dips in the holy Ganges that is said to wash away all the sins of a person. Light a Diya and make a wish, they do come true.

Surrender to Peaceful Activities

Taking dips three times in a day, attending yoga classes, listening to the divine lectures and participating in the cultural programmes are just a few of the activities that one can enjoy during the famous Kumbh Mela. Travel to Kumbh Mela and experience the inexperienced.

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Significance of Kumbh Mela

Kumbh Mela is not just a mere festivity like Diwali and Holi, but holds lot of importance for people in India. People look up to Kumbh Mela with highest regard, as this event gives them a golden opportunity to liberate themselves from the miseries and sufferings of life. It enables them to take a holy dip in the sacred water and wash away all the sins they have committed in the past. People come from different parts of the country to be a part of this sacred ceremony. It is believed that taking a holy dip in water paves way for attainment of Moksha.

Rig Veda has a mention about the significance of convergence of river Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati at Prayag or Sangam.

References can be found about the significance of this ritual in Varaha Purana and Matsya Purana as well. There is a belief that the ashram of the learned Bharadvaja, where Lord Ram, Laxman and Sita lived at the time of their exile, was situated at Sangam. It is said that a number of saints including the great Shankaracharya and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visited Sangam and observed the Kumbh Mela. The great Indian epics such the Ramayana and Mahabharata have mentioned that a yagna was conducted by Lord Brahma at Sangam.

Sacred Bath in Kumbh Mela

Bathing in the holy river on the auspicious occasion of Kumbh Mela is the most important activity for millions of people in India. A large tented city is erected and pilgrims stay at tents owned by Pandas (religious and spiritual guides) and at various ashrams. Others will just camp on the ground or turn up for the actual bathing day. Some of these bathing days are designated “royal,” and it is on these days that the naga sadhus (naked mendicants) parade and bathe. On other days there will still be people bathing and other events and random processions.

Rituals Performed at the Kumbh Mela

The main ritual performed at that Kumbh Mela is the ritual bath. Hindus believe that submerging themselves in the sacred waters on the most auspicious day of the new moon will absolve them and their ancestors of sin, thus ending the cycle of rebirth. Pilgrims start lining up to bathe from around 3 a.m. on this day.

As the sun comes up, the different groups of sadhus move in procession towards the river to bathe. The Nagas usually lead, while each group tries to outdo the others with more grandeur and fanfare. The moment is magical, and everyone is absorbed in it.

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After bathing, the pilgrims wear fresh clothes and proceed to worship by the river bank. They then walk around listening to discourses from the various sadhus.

Past/Future dates of Kumbh Mela

The Maha Kumbh Mela is held every three years in each of four different locations, returning to each of four places every twelve years. An Ardh (half) Mela (festival) takes place six years after the Maha Kumbh in each location.

In 2010, March-April, Maha Kumbh Mela was held at Haridwar in the foothills of the Himalayas. Main bathing date: April 14.

In 2013, Maha Kumbh Mela was held in Allahabad (Prayag), Jan. 27 to Feb. 25. Main bathing date: Feb. 10.
How dates and period of Kumbh Mela is calculated

Hardwar (Haridwar) – when Jupiter is in Aquarius and the Sun is in Aries during the Hindu month of Caitra (March-April); 1986, 1998, 2010, 2021-2022.

Allahabad (Prayag) – when Jupiter is in Aries or Taurus and the Sun and Moon are in Capricorn during the Hindu month of Magha (January-February); 1989, 2001, 2012, 2024.

Nasik – when Jupiter and the Sun are in Leo in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (August-September); 1980, 1992, 2003, 2015.

Ujjain – when Jupiter is in Leo and the Sun is in Aries, or when Jupiter, the Sun, and the Moon are in Libra during the Hindu month of Vaisakha (April-May); 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016.

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Naga Sadhus Akhara Address

List of Akharas Attending Mahakumbh 2013

History and Legend of Kumbha Mela

Kumbh Mela is considered as the most auspicious period of India. The origin of Kumbh Mela dates back to the time when Gods (Devtas) and Demons (Asura) resided on earth. Devtas were under the influence of a curse which aroused fear in them eventually making them weak and coward. Brahma (the creator) advised them to churn the milky ocean to obtain the elixir of immortality. The Mandara Mountain acted as the churning rod and Vasuki (king of serpents) was used as a rope for churning. Kumbh was the pot which consist the nectar of immortality and was recovered from Samudramanthan.

Devtas asked the help of demons for this sturdy task to complete with mutual agreement of sharing the elixir of immortality equally. They churned the ocean for 1000 years, where demons were holding Vasuki’s head and Gods were holding its tail. Finally after this entire churning process, Dhanwantari appeared with Kumbh containing amrita (immortality potion) in his palms. Some Asuras (atheists) snatch this Kumbh (pot of amrita) and began running away to make themselves and Asuras eternally immortal.
Vedic scripts tells us that Demons were chased by Gods for 12 days and nights when the drops of amrita fell down from Kumbh at Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain. In Puranas, it is mentioned that the war between Gods and Demons in the sky lasted for twelve days for the possession of Amrita. To commemorate this holy event Maha Kumbh Mela is celebrated in every twelve years at the four sacred places where the drops from Kumbh were fallen. These 12 days of Gods are equivalent to 12 years of Humans. During this chase for the elixir of immortality the drops from Kumbh fell at four places – Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik.

Kumbh Mela is the largest spiritual gathering in the world where millions of devotees takes a holy dip in the sacred water.

It is believed that the river turns itself into sanctity spots filled with primordial amrita at the historic moment of the Maha Kumbh Mela. The pilgrims get once in a lifetime chance to bathe in the spirit of holiness, auspiciousness and salvation. People who are very fortunate are able to take holy dip in the Kumbh mela.