Kumbh Mela - The Largest Peaceful Gathering in India

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22 May 2023

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As everyone knows India is a spiritual country where you can see different religious customs and traditions in every corner and street. Most importantly, some places in India are very popular and known to the entire world due to mystical huge celebrations and religious processions. Among such like celebrations, Kumbh Mela is one. Due to its popularity and craze, Kumbh Mela was recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2007.

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Now we go through this fair to know about the importance of the fair.

What is Kumbh Mela?

Kumbh Mela is a two-month mythological fair in India that dates back 2000 years. This fair will take place at four different spots periodically, and the places are Haridwar, Allahabad / Prayag, Nashik, and Ujjain. Actually, for once every 12 years, Kumbh Mela will take place. But periodically, for once every 3 years, Kumbh Mela will take place in a different spot in cyclic order. During the fair, all Hindu pilgrims in all whole India gather at the banks of holy rivers to take a bath to get rid of the sins they have committed.

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Where is the Kumbh Mela Held?

As mentioned above, Kumbh Mela will take place at four places.

At the Godavari River in Nashik.
At the Ganges River in Haridwar.
At the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, known as Sangam in Prayag.
At Shipra river in Ujjain.

These four river banks are the venues of Kumbha Mela celebrations. For once every 3 consecutive years Kumbha Mela will take place in cyclic order in these places.

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Variance in Kumbh Mela

We know that Kumbh Mela takes place at different places in consecutive years. But some of them are very special and important. The most important Kumbh Mela fairs are “Maha Kumbh Mela” and “Ardh Kumbh Mela”.

1. Maha Kumbh Mela

Maha Kumbh Mela will take place for once every 12 years. This fair will be held at the confluence of three holy rivers known as Sangam in Prayag. Among all Kumbh Mela fairs, Maha Kumbh Mela is very special and important. During this Mela, people crowd will reach in crore numbers.

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2. Ardh Kumbh Mela

Ardh Kumbh Mela will take place in the middle of 12 12-year span, meaning in the 6th year. It means for once in 6 years, this Mela will take place. And the venue of this fair is both Prayag and Haridwar.

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3. Maagh Mela

Apart from these two Melas, Maagh Mela is another one which takes place every year in the month of Maagh according to the Hindu calendar. The venue of this fair will take place at Sangam in Prayag between January to February.

These three Melas are very important and auspicious to the Hindu pilgrims. During these Melas, celebrations, and processions at the banks of rivers will extend to the high.

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The History behind the Kumbh Mela

According to the Hindu myths, once the demigods (Devtas) lost their powers. To get their powers back they had a deal with demons(Asuras) to churn the Milk Ocean to get out the nectar of immortality and to share it equally.

To churn the milk ocean Mandara mountain and Vasukhi (the king of Serpents) was used as churning rod and rope. After that, for years they churned the ocean but at first, poison came out. Finally, the nectar of immortality known as “Amrit” was brought out by Dhanwantari in a pot.

Then the demigods thought that if this Amrit is taken by demons means evil spirits will be immortal. So, they decided to not to share the Amrit with demons. The demons got the point that the agreement was broken. And they started fighting with the demigods. Then the celestial vehicle of Lord Vishnu, “Garuda,” had flown away with the nectar pot. At that time, drops of the nectar fell in four places. And these four places are Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. That’s why at these four places Kumbh Mela will be held.

As the nectar of immortality was brought in a pot that’s why this fair is named as “Kumbh Mela”. Kumbh Means pot or pitcher and Mela means fair. This is the story behind the Kumbh Mela.

Ritual Performed at the Kumbh Mela

Kumbh Mela is everything about Hindu rituals, chanting of mantras, mythological processions, akharas (saints), etc a lot. During the Kumbh Mela, millions of people visit the fair daily. The crowd at the fair seems like the whole Indian population is at the place. An important part of the festival is the sect of sadhus or saints from different places around India. When the Kumbh Mela starts, different sects of sadhus in India will head to the Kumbh Mela region. For them, this fair is very important.

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Sacred Ritual Baths

A very important ritual here everyone follow is taking river bath during the full moon day. This day is called “Shahi Snan” means royal bath. On this day from morning 3:00 A.M people will start taking baths in the river ghats. They believe that if they take bath in these sacred river waters during on these auspicious days their sins will be washed out. On this day you can see different types of sadhus drowning in waters. They are very special to this fair.

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Different Sects of Sadhus at the Kumbh Mela

Different types of sadhus will come to the places where the Kumbh Mela takes place. At Kumbh Mela events you can see and listen to different types of sadhus. On Shahi Snan day number of sadhus will attend the ritual river baths. Simply, their presence in the fair enlightens the spirituality and harmony. Have a look at the different sects of sadhus in Kumbh Mela.

1. Nagas

Saints with naked bodies, meaning without clothes, are known as Nagas. All over the body smeared with ash and long matted hair is the way of style of the Nagas. This type of saint lives in the Himalayas region, which is why their bodies are resistant to all climatic conditions. Among all saints, Nagas are very popular and important to the Mela.

2. Kalpvasis

This type of saints always meditates in them at the river banks and they perform some spiritual activities. They spend more time at the banks of rivers by bathing several times and meditating silently.

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3. Urdhvaavahurs

This group of saints performs some holy spiritual practices. Urdhva-avahurs look very thin with bone-structured bodies. This type of saint is very well-known for ritual performances.

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4. Parivajakash

Parivajakash saints don’t talk to anyone. They will promise not to talk in their life. They used to carry a bell and a ring to symbolize their presence.

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5. Shirshasinse

Among all saints, this type of saint is very different and peculiar. They always live in meditation and sleep. They meditate by placing their heads to the downward and legs upside and they will also sleep like this, only by taking support behind.

When is the Next Kumbh Mela?

Ardh Kumbh Mela in Allahabad (prayag) 2019.
Kumbh Mela in Haridwar 2022
Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad (prayag) 2025.
Kumbh Mela in Nashik 2027.

These are the upcoming Kumbh Mela events that will take place.

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Bathing Dates for Kumbh Mela

Ardh Kumbh Mela which takes place for once every six years is going to takes place in Allahabad at prayag. The fair will last for 2 months from January 15 to March 4 in the year 2019.

Here are the important bathing dates of Ardh Kumbh Mela in 2019.

15 January 2019 on Makar Sankranti (1st Shahi Snan).
21 January 2019 on Paush Purnima.
4 February 2019 on Mauni Amavasya (2nd Shahi Snan).
10 February 2019 on Basant Panchami (3rd Shahi Snan).
19 February 2019 on Maghi Purnima.
4 March 2019 on Maha Shivratri.

This is the complete schedule of the upcoming Ardh Kumbh Mela in 2019. Important dates for Shahi Snan are 15 January, 4 February, and 10 February.

If you are planning to be a part of Kumbh Mela, then you can travel with the luxury trains. Famous trains are:

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Kumbh Mela - The Largest Peaceful Gathering in India

What is Kumbh Mela?

Where is the Kumbh Mela Held?