Kumbh Mela: When And Where is it Held?
Kumbh Mela holds paramount importance as a religious festival in India. This unique festival was marked four times over 12 years. This festival or mela is held in four different places, Haridwar at the bank of the Ganges in the Uttarakhand, Ujjain at the Shipra River in Madhya Pradesh, Nashikat at the Godavari River in Maharashtra, and Prayagraj at the junction of three rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati in the Uttar Pradesh. Kumbh Mela is the most extensive spiritual and cultural human gathering in the world. Millions of devotees take baths in holy rivers on these days. In this mela, you see many sadhus, Sadhvis, and ascetics from across the world take a stake in this Kumbh Mela.
This festival usually goes on over a month, beginning in January. Kumbh Mela celebrations contain a ritual dip in the holy rivers, several fairs, instruction, spiritual conversation by saints, mass feeding of monks and poor, and many other entertainment spectacle
History of Kumbh Mela
Kumbh Mela is a mixture of two words Kumbh and Mela. The name Kumbh is obtained from the everlasting port of nectar which the Gods and demons fought over, described in ancient Vedic scriptures known as Puranas. Or Mela means fair, in Sanskriti, it means gathering or to meet.
In Puranas, the history of Kumbh Mela is bonded to the days when Gods and demons collectively delivered the nectar of eternity as represented by the legends. The Gods and demons are ready to complete the task together and decide to contribute the nectar of eternity in half. The gods and demons then collect on the coast of the milk ocean that lies in the cosmic region of the cosmos. The disturbance of the milk ocean delivered an incurable poison which was drank by Lord Shiva without being concerned. After overcoming numerous obstacles over the years, Dhanwantari finally emerged, holding the elixir of immortality in her grasp.
When and Where Kumbh Mela is Held?
Kumbh Mela is preserved at four diverse locations by favor and persists for over a month. The scheduling of Kumbh Mela is contingent upon the alignment of the sun and the planet Jupiter, also referred to as Brihaspati, within a specific zodiac sign. Kumbh Mela is organized at Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain, in the continuous circle of 12 years. The Kumbh Mela dates are deliberate in advance pivoting on the zodiacal positions of Brihaspati, Surya, and Chandra.
There are four kinds of Kumbh Mela contained in India. The traditional Kumbh Mela is held once every three years, exciting between places in Nashik, Ujjain, Haridwar, and Prayagraj. The Ardh Kumbh Mela is held once in every six years and only at Haridwar and Prayagraj.
The Purna Kumbh Mela appears every 12 years, while the Maha Kumbh Mela is orchestrated every 144 years, corresponding to 12 cycles. One of the prime factors of the Kumbh Mela is the bathing rituals in the holy waters on a notable day known as Shahi Snan. Conducted by sadhus and holy men, devotees participate in day-long ceremonies that take place on the rampart of the rivers. Divine prayers known as aartis are sung and drums are thrashed. Many people take bathing in rivers every day, but the most propitious time is the night of the full moon. Devotees acknowledge that bathing in the river on this day helps a person to gain Moksha or Deliverance.
Places of Kumbh Mela 2024
1. Kumbh Mela in Haridwar- Chaitra (January-April)
In Haridwar, Kumbh Mela is held on the bank of river Ganga. During the religious period of Kumbh Mela, Jupiter enters Aquarius, and the sun in Aries. The holy bath of the Kumbh Mela started on Shivaratri and continued for over a month.
2. Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj- Magha (January-February)
In Prayagraj, Kumbh Mela is organized at the junction of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. During this time, Jupiter joins in Aries, the Sun and Moon in Capricorn or Jupiter in Taurus, Sun in Capricorn. The Kumbh Mela Prayagraj is organized in winter or Magha month and the holt bath starts on Makar Sankranti.
3. Kumbh Mela in Nashik- Bhadrapada (August-September)
In Nashik, the Kumbh Mela is organized on the bank of the river Godavari during the month of Bhadrapada ( August- September). During this period, Jupiter transitions into Leo, or Jupiter, Sun, and Moon align in Cancer during lunar conjunction. The holy bath forms on the day of Simha and Sankranti.
4. Kumbh Mela in Ujjain- Vaisakha (April-May)
In Ujjain, Kumbh Mela is carried on the bank of river Shipra. The Mela takes place in the month of Vaisakha, marked by the entry of Jupiter into Leo and the Sun into Aries. Alternatively, it occurs when Jupiter, Sun, and Moon align in Libra on Kartik Amavasya. The bathing rituals form on the day of Chaitra Purnima.
