Kumbh Mela Significance and Facts

In Hinduism, the Kumbh Mela, also known as Kumbh Ka Mela, is a religious festival celebrated four times in 12 years. The place of worship revolves around the four holy places on the four holy rivers—at Haridwar on the Ganges River, at Prayag (Allahabad) at the convergence of the Ganges, the Jamuna, and the Saraswati, at Ujjain on the Shipra River, and Nashik on the Godavari River. The observance of each site relies on a separate set of astrological positions of the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter, the most consecrated time when these positions are in complete sync. The Kumbh Mela in Prayag attracts millions of pilgrims in particular. Also, a great Kumbh Mela is held in Prayag every 144 years, most recently in 2001. One of the largest festivals in the world, "The Kumbh Mela," lasts a few weeks which attracts more than 200 million people from all over the world.

According to Hindu mythology, Kumbh Mela is the most significant religious festival of Hindus celebrated four times across 12 years. The festival's location revolves around the four pilgrimage sites located on the banks of the holy river. Earlier in 2003-04, Kumbh Mela was held at Nashik-Trimbakeshwar.

Read Kumbh Mela News to stay updated about this grand religious fair.

History Of Kumbh Mela In India

The Kumbh Mela has its religious significance, which is held every 12 years. Undoubtedly it is the largest gathering of faith where people from all over the world take part and bathe in the holy or holy river. The phrase Kumbh Mela consists of two words Kumbh and Mela, but it is also the Hindi name for the sign of Aquarius. The name 'Kumbh' is derived from the immortal pot of nectar with which the gods and demons fought, described in the Puranas (ancient Vedic scriptures). As we all know, Mela is a Sanskrit word meaning 'gathering' or 'meeting.'

The ancient history of Kumbh Mela relates to the days when gods and demons unitedly made the nectar of immortality as delineated by hearsay. The gods and demons acceded to getting the job done together and decided to share half of the nectar of immortality each. The Gods and demons then meet on the shores of the Milky Way, located in the cosmic realm. The agitation of the sea of milk made a lethal poison that Lord Shiva drank without being affected. After overcoming many obstacles, Dhanvantari appeared many years later with the nectar of immortality. It is perfectly said that Kumbh Mela is the largest religious and cultural human gathering in the world. For 48 days, millions of pilgrims bathed in the holy river. Devotees from all over the world mainly take part in this mela like sadhus, sadhvis, ascetics, pilgrims, etc.

Major Attractions Of Kumbh Mela

1. Bathing Rituals

The bathing rituals in the pious water on significant days of the Kumbh Mela are known as the "Shahi Snan," which is the most notable aspect of this sacred event. Led by saints, the devotees take part in the day-long rituals performed on the embankments of the rivers.

2. Aartis

Devotional prayers known as Aarti are sung, and drums are beaten. Religious bathing is done every day, but the happiest time is the night of the full moon. People or devotees believe that a person achieves "moksha" or salvation through bathing in the holy river on this day.

3. Mentioned in Purana

The founder of the Kumbh Mela is responsible for the Puranas (collection of myths and legends) - describing how the gods and demons fought over the pot (Kumbha) of amrita, the nectar of immortality as a result of churning their milky sea. During the struggle, drops of nectar fell on the four earthly places of the Kumbh Mela, and it is believed that the rivers turned into that primitive nectar in each ultimate moment, giving the worshiper a chance to bathe in the essence of integrity, goodness, and immortality. The word Kumbh comes from this mythical pot of nectar, the sign of the zodiac that Jupiter is during the Haridwar Kumbh Mela.

4. Maha Kumbh Mela

The Maha Kumbh Mela is held in Prayagraj (Allahabad) only every 144 years after 12 full Kumbh Melas compilation. The Allahabad Kumbh Mela is celebrated approximately three years after the Kumbh Mela at Haridwar and three years before Kumbh Mela at Nashik and Ujjain.

5. Millions of Attendees

Maha Kumbh Mela is the largest religious gathering in India, attended by millions of people. The month-long fair features the construction of a huge tent city with cottages, huts, platforms, civic amenities, administrative and security arrangements. It is organized perfectly by the government, local authorities, and the police.

6. Religious Congregation

The mela is especially famous for the presence of an extraordinary array of religious ascetics - saints and nobles - tempted from remote abodes in forests, hills, and caves. Once the astrologers have ascertained a suitable time for bathing or Kumbhayog, the first to hit the water is by armies of Naga Sadhus or Naga Babas, who shroud their naked bodies with ashes and put on long dreadlocks on their hair. The saints, who see themselves as guardians of the faith, approach the confluence at the appointed time with all the pomp and courage of a charging army.

Kumbh Mela is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. People visit the mela from far and wide areas and take a holy dip in the Ganges. Reaching the mela site is not tough as it is well-connected with the different parts of the country. Visitors can use any more convenient and comfortable transport to be a part of this Mela.

How To Reach Haridwar For Kumbh Mela

• Nearest Airport. Jolly Grant Airport
• Nearest Railway Station. Haridwar Junction

How to Reach Ujjain for Kumbh Mela

• Nearest Airport. Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International Airport, Indore
• Nearest Railway Station. Ujjain Junction

How to Reach Nashik for Kumbh Mela

• Nearest Airport. Mumbai International Airport
• Nearest Railway Station. Sinnar Gurewadi Railway Station

How to Reach Prayag for Kumbh Mela

• Nearest Airport. Prayagraj Airport
• Nearest Railway Station. Prayag Ghat

FAQs Related to Kumbh Mela

Ques 1- Which city is famous for Kumbh Mela?

Ans 1- Allahabad is famous for Kumbh Mela.

Ques 2- In which state was Kumbh Mela organized last year?
Ans- The last Kumbh Mela was held in Haridwar.

Ques3. When and where is the next Kumbh Mela?
Ans. Next Kumbh Mela will be held in Prayagraj in 2025

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