Kumbh Mela or Kumbha Mela, a unique Hindu pilgrimage, is a 42-day long festival, held every twelve years in India. According to Hindu Vedic astrology, Kumbh Mela takes place when the planet Jupiter enters Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries. Kumbh or Kumbha in Sanskrit means ‘pot or pitcher’ and Mela means 'festival'. Hence Kumbh Mela literally means ‘festival of the pot’. This event occurs four times every twelve years, once at each of the four locations in India. Kumbh Mela is regarded as the largest human gathering which is attended by people irrespective of caste, creed and region.
Kumbh Mela locations in India
Following are the four locations of India where Kumbh Mela is held
1) Prayag, Allahabad (in the state of Uttar Pradesh) at the confluence of three holy rivers - Ganga (Ganges), Yamuna and Saraswati
2) Haridwar (in the state of Uttar Pradesh) where the river Ganga enters the plains from Himalayas
3) Ujjain (in Madhya Pradesh), on the banks of Shipra River, and
4) Nasik (in Maharashtra) on the banks of Godavari River.
Haridwar and Prayag are the two locations where the Ardh Kumbh Mela is held every six years. The Purna Kumbh Mela is celebrated after every twelve years at Prayag (Allahabad), Haridwar (Uttar Pradesh), Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) and Nashik (Maharashtra). The Maha Kumbh Mela which comes after 12 'Purna Kumbh Melas' is also held at Allahabad.
Kumbh Mela Ritual - The Holy Bath
Taking bath in holy rivers is considered auspicious during the Kumbh Mela festival. It is believed that a holy dip in sacred rivers relieves the individuals from the circle of life and death (Moksha). Numerous pilgrims (including men and women), monks, saints, and Sadhus (holy men) from around the world visit here to relieve themselves. Holy rivers such as Ganges, Yamuna and celestial Sarawati at Prayag are believed to offer purity and wash away the sins of those who bath in it.
Kumbh Mela is considered to be the most sacred of all pilgrimages. Apart from the holy bath, mass feeding of holy men and women and the poor, devotional singing, and religious discussions are also held during the Kumbh Mela festival pilgrimage.
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