Introduction of Kumbh Mela
A Hindu festival and assembly of large population, held once every twelve years at four locations in India, in which pilgrims come from various states throughout the nation to bathe in the waters of the Ganges and Yamuna Rivers.
It is the festival of mass pilgrimage faith related to ancient Hindu mythology which takes place every twelve years at one of the four religious places: Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik. It is the world’s largest religious human gathering in the history of the world for same cause on a single day irrespective of the worldly barriers of caste, creed, color or religion.
People think that it comes only once in 12 years but is held every 3rd year at one of the four holy places. It’s once in a lifetime experience witnessing tourists from all over the world in the spectacle of faith. This festival witnesses the ritual bathing in the sacred water saturated with flower, incense, fragrance followed with enchantment of Vedas, hymns & mantras. It is believed that visiting in this great fair cleanses all the sins and liberate from one’s all miseries & sufferings of life. One achieves salvation, moksha (liberation from the cycle of life, birth & rebirth).
One of the important activities for pilgrims is to take a holy dip in the holy river and to wash away their sins, as it is meant to be the belief. It has a deep importance especially for the Hindu community.
“The famous ancient traveler, Hüan-Tsang of China, was the first person to mention Kumbh Mela in his diary. In his diary, he mentioned the 75-day festival (Kumbh) held in the Hindu month Magha (January – February), which was witnessed by the millions of saints, the common men, and kings.”
HISTORY & ITS ORIGIN
According to Hindu mythology, during churning of the ocean (samundar manthan for the nectar of immortality between the gods & the demons a few drops of the liquid called amrita were fallen from the kumbha. Lord Vishnu dropped four drops of amrita (the drink of immortality) at four places on the earth name are Haridwar, Prayag (Allahabad), Ujjain and Trimbak-Nashik, while transporting it in a kumbha (pot).It is believed that according to the astrological start water of these holy rivers turned into nectar. These four places are considered as the present-day holy places of the Kumbh Mela.
After every 3 years of interval this fair is organized at the bank of Holy Rivers of Hindus name are Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, and the Godavari. Kumbh in Allahabad (Prayagraj) is more important & wide as compared to other Kumbh Melas.
It is believed that before the creation of the world, Brahma Ji (also known as Svayambhu or self-born) did Ashwamegha Yagya here. Along with Brahmeshwara temple, Dashwamedh Ghat is now present here as a sign of the Yagya. Because of this Yagya, Maha Kumbh also provides special importance.
WHAT IS KUMBH MELA ?
Meaning Of Kumbh : Kumbh means pot. The Kalash (pot) has a particular significance in the Hindu civilization. Kumbh is the union of nature and humanity, the source of energy. It realizes human their sin, virtue and light, darkness. The human body is made up of five vital natural elements: fire, air, water, earth, and sky which is together called “Panchtatva”.
Ganga River is the mother of all in this festival, and all other rivers are her children. It is a difficult test of human devotion. People come here with a sense of pure mind and virtue. The monks, saints, artists of different religions & regions take part in Kumbh Mela.
TYPES OF KUMBH MELA
There are five types of Kumbh Mela that are organized in India:
1. Maha Kumbh Mela:- Maha Kumbh Mela is held only in Prayag (Allahabad). It is an once in a lifetime event that a person can see it in one’s own life. It comes in every 144 years or after 12 Purna Kumbh Mela
2. Purna Kumbh Mela:- Purna Kumbh Mela comes every 12 years. It is held in 4 ritual places in India – Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik, and Ujjain. It rotates every 12 years at these 4 places.
3. Ardh Kumbh Mela:- Ardh Kumbh means Half Kumbh which means half of 12 years duration. So, it is held after every 6 years in India only in 2 places in Haridwar and Allahabad.
4. Kumbh Mela:- Kumbh Mela is held at four different places – Ujjain, Allahabad, Nasik and Haridwar. It is organized by state governments in which millions of people participate with great devotion and spiritual enthusiasm.
5. Magh (Kumbh) Mela:- The Magh Mela also called Mini Kumbh is held annually (once a year) only in Allahabad It is organized in the month of Magh according to Hindu calendar (14 Jan –February end). The Magh (Kumbh) Mela is also a famous annual pilgrimage event for Hindus. According to Hindu mythology, the Magh Mela is assumed as a starting point of the Universe. It is organized every year on the confluence of the 3 holy rivers. This confluence point is known as Triveni Sangam, the Prayag near Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh, India.
In accordance with the traditional Hindu calendar followed in North India, this holy fair is organized every year during the Hindu month of Magh. The Magh Mela, is not confined only to the month of Magh and the important bathing dates are spread over a period of 45 days. It is actually a smaller version of Kumbh Mela. Hence it is also known as Mini Kumbh Mela.
Every year, the Magh Mela starts from the day of Makar Sankranti in January ( first day) which is meant to be important bathing day according to the religious Hindu calendar. It begins with a large no. of pilgrims taking a holy dip at the Sangam on the auspicious dates.
ALLAHABAD KUMBH MELA 2025
Hindus are known for their passion to celebrate their festivals in a grand way. Kumbh Mela is one such festival which is rejoiced by them. It usually takes 12 years to get repeat on the same location except Haridwar and Allahabad. There is kumbh mela every 6 years also. If one has to experience the holiest & the grandest way to celebrate Hinduism, then it is one of the right place for them. The Kumbh Mela 2025 is going to be held at Allahabad (Prayag) from January 14 th, 2025 to 26 February , 2025.
Slogan of Kumbh Mela 2025
Chalo Kumbh Chalo-Chalo Kumbh Chalo (Let’s go Kumbh – come on Kumbh)
Every six years in Allahabad are celebrated in the month of January-February when Jupiter is in Aries or Taurus and in Sun and Moon in Capricorn during the Hindu month of Magh.
Starting from 14th January to 26 February 2025, it will once again be the center of attraction and attention from all over the world.
According to estimates, Ardh Kumbh Mela which is going to be organized in Allahabad, 2025. More than around 2 crore people are estimated to bath on this occasion.
Important Kumbh fairs usually held at:
- Allahabad Kumbh Mela
- Ujjain Kumbh Mela
- Haridwar Kumbh Mela