The largest congregation on the planet, Kumbh Mela is not only a religious pilgrimage but also a spiritual festival that awakens your inner self. This fair is celebrated every three years in each of four different locations on the banks of sacred rivers, returning to each of the four places every twelve years. These rotating venues are Haridwar, Allahabad (Prayagraj), Nashik and Ujjain.
Celebrated since times immemorial, Kumbh Mela finds mention in ancient Vedic scriptures and is a fine specimen of attaining inner tranquility amidst chaotic crowds. Listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of India, this massive fair is indeed the epitome of Indian culture.
Get Free Tour QuotesView Tour PackagesThe Legend
The word ?Kumbh? literally means a ?pot? or a ?pitcher? and Mela is a ?Fair?. The existence of Kumbh Mela goes back to the mythological age when Gods and demons together churned the Ocean of Milk to obtain the nectar of immortality. When the pitcher of nectar was found, the demons or the Asuras ran away with it with Gods in hot pursuit. During the chase; a few drops of this nectar spilled in Haridwar, Allahabad (Prayagraj), Nashik and Ujjain; giving mystical powers to these four locations.
It is believed that the chase to retrieve the pitcher went on for 12 celestial days, equating it to 12 human years. Therefore Maha Kumbh Mela is celebrated every 12 years to coincide with the times when the immortal elixir fell on earth. It is believed that during Kumbh Mela, the rivers on these locations are charged with divine powers and a dip in these waters absolves you of all your sins and leads you on the path of salvation.
Rituals at Kumbh Mela
The fair is organized for a period of 45 days and the dates for the same are derived on the basis of the astrological position of Sun, Moon and Jupiter. Chanting of religious Mantras, ritual baths, religious discourses and various offerings to the holy river are part of the many rituals of Kumbh Mela.
Thousands of ascetics and sages, belonging to various sects, converge at the venue for Kumbh Mela. On the three most auspicious bathing dates known as Shahi Snan (Royal Bath), the sages & ascetics lead the way to the bathing ghats followed by a royal procession of bedecked horses and elephants and miles of crowd chanting religious mantras and singing devotional songs. Millions of people wait for hours
The Celebration
Kumbh Mela is perhaps the only event in the world where millions of people gather for a celebration without any invitation. The venue of the fair turns into a tent city with special camps, en-suite luxury tents, and various amenities set up for the comfort of travelers and pilgrimages. A sea of people engulfs the city in a collective act of faith, taking a step towards moksha or salvation.
Take a pause from your worldly routine and join us in this religious and spiritual celebration. Witness the colorful cultural heritage of India and evoke the time-honored spiritual knowledge of the Vedic texts. The next Kumbh Mela in scheduled in Haridwar, on the banks of the holy Ganges, in the year 2021-2022 and the dates for it shall be out soon. Our Kumbh Mela Packages will take you on a spiritual journey based on mutual love, compassion, tolerance and devotion to the almighty.
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