Kumbha Mela

 

According to the Bhagawat Puran gods and demons churned the milky ocean, which produced the elixir of immortality. A fight erupted between the two groups over who should take the kumbh (pitcher) filled with amrit (elixir). It is believed that during the struggle, drops of the elixir fell on Prayag, Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain and the waters of the rivers flowing through these places became pure, auspicious and life-giving. A congregation of Shaivite order of sannysis, Vaishnav order of vairagis (ascetic sadhus, Nagas, saints from all 13 Akhadas), abstemious Kalpavasis and pilgrims is held at each of the four holy places once every twelve years and the period of the festivities is determined by the positions of Jupiter, the Sun and the Moon in the Zodoac. Millions of people take a dip in those rivers during the festival of the sacred Pitcher called ‘Kumbh Mela’.

The largest Kumbh Mela is held at the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati in Prayag when Jupiter transits into Taurus zodiac, while the sun and the moon are in Capricorn. But when Jupiter enters the Aries constellation and the Sun and the Moon are in Capricorn, the Kumbh festival is held at Prayagraj on the new moon day. Usually Prayag Kumbh occurs between January and February. An Ardh Kumbh (Half-Kumbh) is also held at the sangam in Prayag six years after a Mahakmbh Mela. The last Ardh Kumbh Mela occurred in 2019. In addition to them, a special Mahakumbh Mela takes place in Prayag after a series of twelve Mahakumbh congregations – in other words, it is held once every 144 years, most recently in 2001. The luckiest are those who have the chance to visit this great Mahakumbh.

Haridwar Mahakumbh Mela is held on the bank of the river Ganga every 12 years when Jupiter is in Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries, between February and April. The holy bath begins on Shivaratri and continues for over a month. A half Kumbh Mela in Haridwar is also held six years after a Mahakumbh Mela. The last Ardh Kumbh Mela took place in 2016.

Mahakumbh Mela in Triyambakeshwar Nashik is held on the bank of the river Godavari every twelve years usually in July–September when Jupiter moves into Leo; or when Jupiter, the Sun and the Moon enter in Cancer on lunar conjunction. Since the holy bath begins on the day of Sinha Sankranti, Nasik Kumbh is called ‘Nashik-Trimbak Sinhastha Kumbha Mela’.

In the event of Jupiter moving into Leo and the Sun entering Aries, another Sinhasth Mahakumbh congregation is held every 12 years at Ujjain on the bank of the river Shipra. The Main bathing day is on the full moon day in Vaisakha, mostly in April–May. When Jupiter enters Libra and the Sun and the Moon remain together on the new moon of the 8th month of Hindu year then also the Kumbh Mela is held at Ujjain. The Ujjain Sinhasth Kumbh falls first if the Jupiter enters Leo before spring; the Nashik Sinhasth Kumbh happens first if the Jupiter enters Leo between spring and late summer.

Haridwar Kumbh 1986, 1992, 1998, 2004, 2010, 2016, 2021

Prayag Kumbh 1989, 1995, 2001, 2007, 2013, 2019, 2025

Nasik Kumbh 1980, 1992, 2003, 2015 next 2027

Ujjain Kumbh 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 next 2028

Note:- Special Mahakumbh is held at Prayag only and Ardh-Kumbhs take place only in Prayag and Haridwar.

Most of our festivals have deep connection with nature; many of the rituals are performed at a river bank or a pond, on fields or barns or under a tree. They teach us to be grateful to nature for its blessings like harvests and for many things that our lives depend on. We esteem Basil and Margosa and regard them as holy plants; they are a blessing for both man and animal as each one is a cure-all for ill creatures. It is believed that a few drops of the elixir of life from the vessel that Garud was carrying fell on the neem tree; and as for holy basil, she is Lord Vishnu’s spouse therefore worshiped between eleventh lunar day and the full moon of the waxing moon of Kartika.

We worship nature and restrain ourselves from damaging it: it is the beauty of our culture that makes us distinguished. Sanatana is the oldest of religions; it has witnessed countless wars, disasters, pandemics, the degradation of the environment etc. Its laws are based on ages of human experience and therefore perfect. Being influenced by the western lifestyle we view them as orthodox beliefs without judging them on their merits.

Ramesh Tiwari 9451673412
Sarayu Nagar, Opp – KDC, Bahraich (UP)
On Monday, 13 January 2025