What is Kumbh Mela Festival

Kumbh Mela Festival, celebrated in India, is regarded as the biggest religious gathering in the world. The significance of this major Hindu Festival is that millions of Hindus gather at the holy rivers Ganges, Godavari and Kshipra to take snan (holy bathing). In Sanskrit language “Kumbha” means ‘pot or pitcher’. Mela literally means “'festival or fair”. Thus Kumbh Mela can be translated as “Festival of the pot”.  Kumbh Mela festival is organized at four places Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. The Kumbh Mela 2013 festival is celebrated at Allahabad from 14th January to 10th March 2013.

Types of Kumbh Mela

There are mainly five types of Kumbh Melas

Magh Mela – held annually
Kumbh Mela – held in 3 years
Ardh Kumbh – held in 6 years
Purna Kumbh Mela – held in 12 years
Maha Kumbh Mela – held in 144 years

History of Kumbh Mela

The history of Kumbh Mela festival is linked with the Samudra manthan story found in the Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu Purana, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata. It is believed that when the Mohini avatar of Lord Vishnu flew away with the Amrit Kumbha (Pot of Nectar), drops of amrita fall at four places where the Kumbha Mela festival currently is celebrated.

Vishnu mohini avatar with amrit kumbh


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Related 

Allahabad Kumbh Mela 2013 Bathing Dates

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