Kumbh Mela Festival

The Khumba Mela takes place every three years rotating through Prayag, Nasik, Haridwar and Ujjain. An incredible spectacle, Khumba Mela is the time when the sages, masters, yogis, saints and sadhus come down from their sacred abodes in the Himalayas. It is the largest gathering in the world of people with a religious purpose, sharing knowledge and information about religion and other spiritual practices.

The Ancient Story

The story of Kumbh Mela originates thousands of years ago when gods and demons together decided to churn the milky ocean to obtain the amrit (nectar of immortality). As the Kumbh or the jar containing the immortal nectar finally appeared, there arose a fierce tussle among both gods and the demons.

For twelve days and twelve nights (equivalent to twelve human years) the gods and demons fought for the possession of the pot of amrit. It is said that during the battle, few drops of nectar fell at four places : Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik transforming them into famous religious pilgrimage centres for Kumbh Mela.

The Holy Dip

A holy dip in the Kumbh purifies the sins thereby helping in the attainment of salvation. It is believed that at the time of Kumbh, the water of the river gets charged with astonishing healing effects by enhanced electromagnetic radiation of the Sun, Moon and the Jupiter, the flux of which also varies in accordance to positions and the phases of the moon. Kumbh Mela is the thus, the biggest religious gathering of humanity on the earth with a distinct amalgamation of religion and socio-cultural significance.

Prayag Kumbh Mela

Prayag or Allahabad, is one of the holiest cities of India and an important city famous for its culture and contemporary heritage. It is situated at about 240 km from Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh. It has been called Prayag, in the sacred Vedic literatures. The city is especially sacred for the Hindus, as it is here that the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati meet, the confluence being known as the Sangam.

The History
Legends have it, that at the time of the ensuing tussle between the gods and demons to take possession of the pot full of amrit, the elixir of life that emerged from the  churning of the ocean splashed out of the pitcher and fell on four places on the earth. These places were Hardwar, Prayag (Allahabad), Ujjain and Nasik. It is on the banks of the holy Sangam, at Allahabad that the world's largest gathering of humanity comes together to take bath to get purified from sins.

The Spectacle
The Prayag (Allahabad) Kumbh Mela is the largest and holiest of all melas and is believed to be the most auspicious. On important bathing dates, lakhs of pilgrims take bath on the banks of the holy Sangam. The Purna (complete) Kumbh or Maha Kumbh, the biggest and the most auspicious fair, which falls once every 12 years, is always held in Allahabad. Ardha Kumbh Mela is held every 6th year and the Magh Mela is the annual version of the Kumbh. The main bathing days are known as 'Shahi Snans' or 'Royal Bathing Days The most recent Kumbh Mela was in 2001 in Allahabad and millions of pilgrims took a holy dip in Sangam on the auspicious the Mauni Amavasya on the 24th January 2001.
The main bathing days for the Kumbh Mela are: Makar Sankranti, Paush Purnima, Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchmi, Maghi Poornima and Maha Shivratri.

HARIDWAR

Hardwar, is situated on the foothills of Shivaliks. It is here that the river Ganga, coming down from the gigantic Himalayas, touches the plains. Haridwar is the first place where the river meets the plains. Also known as Mayapuri, Gangadwar, Tapovan and Mokshadwar in the ancient scriptures, Haridwar is a city with immense religious significance and a major pilgrimage town for the Hindus. It is among the seven sacred cities of India and one of the four holy sites for Kumbh Mela. It also finds importance as one of the major Shaktipeeths.

The Mythological Origin
The historical relevance of the Kumbh Mela goes back to the time when the Amritkalasha (pot of amrit) was retrieved from the Samudramanthan (churning of the ocean). A great fight followed between the gods and the demons, to take possession of the pot of amrit. During this tussle, a few drops of nectar fell at four places:
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The Planetary Positioning
The astrological date for Kumbh at Haridwar falls when Venus and Jupiter coincide with Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries. This planetary position is said to medicate the  waters of the Ganga and turn it into nectar. Apart from Kumbh, Ardh Kumb Mela is also held here,every six years.