Kumbh Mela
Kumbh Mela is a significant festival cum holy pilgrimage for the Hindus. Interestingly, the mela is hosted at four sacred sites- Haridwar, Allahabad, Ujjain, and Nasik. It takes place at the banks of the rivers which flows through these places. The Ganges in Haridwar, the confluence of Ganges-Yamuna-Saraswati Rivers in Allahabad Shipra in Ujjain, and the Godavari in Nasik. The Mela happens at every site nearly one in every 12 years depending on the Luni-solar Calendar of the Hindus. Haridwar and Prayagraj (Allahabad) host ‘Ardha Kumbha Mela’ after six years of ‘purna’ Kumbha Mela. The bathing dates are also decided by Luni-solar Calendar. The dips of the ‘sadhus’ are called ‘shahi-snan’. The ‘sadhus’ make a grand procession to take the bath and it is truly a picturesque moment.
The word ‘Kumbha’ or ‘Kumbh’ has its mention in Rigveda and it translates to a pot or a jar or a pitcher in Sanskrit. The Vedic text says that it has a connection to the nectar of immortality. A major factor of this festival is taking a dip in the holy waters for atonement of mortal sins. Kumbh Mela sees one of the biggest conglomerations of people across the globe. This grand spectacle is marked with lots of celebrations and fairs. Sadhus or Gurus give out spiritual lessons, which people are mass-fed. The Kumbh Mela is arguably the greatest show on Earth. The year 2021 will host the next Kumbha Mela in Haridwar. Visit a Kumbh Mela; To find your shortcut to Nirvana.