Vrat-Festivals | Festivals
Kumbh Melaa is a mass Hindu pilgrimage in which Hindu gather at the River
Ganges, or River Godaavaree or River Kshipraa or Sanagam, where bathing
for purification from sin is considered especially efficacious. The festival
is regarded as the biggest religious gathering in the world.
--In 2001, more than 40 million people gathered on the main bathing day at
Sangam, Allahabad, UP, breaking a world record for the biggest human gathering
for 55 days.
Myth About Kumbh Melaa
Its origin can be sought from the very olden times. Once Durvaasaa Rishi was coming from Bhagavaan's court carrying a flower garland in his hands. He met Indra coming from opposite side riding on his Airaavat elephant. He considered Indra worthy of that sacred garland, so he threw that garland towards Indra. Indra caught it in his hands, but in his pride he threw that garland on his elephant. Elephant had thrown it on the ground by his trunk and crushed it under his feet. Seeing this bad treatment to his Divine garland, Durvaasaa Jee got very furious. He immediately cursed Indra - "You have insulted the Divine garland like this, you will lose your wealth, grace. kingdom and prosperity very soon." So according to the curse of Durvaasaa Muni Indra lost all his prosperity and kingdom.
Indra got very sad so he went to Vishnu and told Him his saga. Vishnu suggested him that he should extend friendship with Daitya Raaj Bali and inspire him to churn the Milky Ocean (Ksheer Saagar) to get Amrit and other things which will be distributed between both of them." Vishnu further explained to him that he should not run after small small things coming out from the Sea. Indra agreed and got Bali also agreed on those conditions. Bali also got agreed and both Devtaa and Asur came to Ksheer Saagar. As Vishnu had directed Indra, they put the Mandaraachal Parvat as the churning rod, and took Vaasuki Naag as the churning rope. They could not move Mandaraachal Parvat themselves so Vishnu helped them. he kept it on His Garud and established it in the Sea. Now they started churning the sea. But the Sea was very turbulent so the Mandaraachal Parvat was shaking all the time. Vishnu again came to rescue. he incarnated as a Kashchap (Tortoise) and kept the Parvat over His back. But still the Parvat was not stable, so again Vishnu helped them and kept His hand over it to make it stable. Then only the churning got started. It is said that 14 various gems came out of the Sea. Their list varies in all the sources where Saagar Manthan story has been described - see the list of these gems HERE.
As soon as the Amrit came out of the Sea, both Devtaa and Daitya ran to snatch the Kumbh (pitcher or pot) of Amrit from Dhanvantari's hands. Since Daitya were more powerful, they snatched the pot from Dhanvantari's hands and ran away. Seeing this Devtaa remained helpless. Vishnu again came to rescue to Devtaa. Daitya saw a very beautiful woman coming to their side. She was Vishnu's Mohinee incarnation. She mesmerized Daitya, took the Amrit Kumbh from them and started distributing Amrit to both of them. But how could Bhagvaan give Amrit to Daitya? Mohinee set them in two lines - Devtaa and Daitya, and started distributing Amrit to Devtaa and liquor to Daitya.
Killing of Raahu
What Happened to Amrit Kumbh?
First Recorded Account of Kumbh Melaa
The major event of the festival is ritual bathing at the banks of the river in whichever town it is being held that is, Gangaa in Haridwaar, Godaavaree in Naasik, Kshipraa in Ujjain and Sangam (confluence of Gangaa, Yamunaa and mythical Saraswatee) in Prayaag (Allahabad). Naasik has registered maximum visitor to 75 million. Other activities include religious discussions, devotional singing, mass feeding of holy men, women and the poor.
Kumbh Melaa is the most sacred of all pilgrimage. Millions of people come to these places to take a dip. It is regarded the largest religious gathering which takes place every 12 years. Naagaa Sanyaasee don't wear a single cloth even in severe winter and they take bath in Ganges' cold water. In 2013 it is going to take place at Allahabad, at Sangam, Uttar Pradesh, India, from 14th January to 10th March.
Mark Twain wrote after attending a Kumbh Melaa in 1895 - "It is wonderful, the power of faith like that, that can make multitudes upon multitudes of the old weak and the young and frail enter without hesitation or complaint upon such incredible journeys and endure the resultant miseries without repining. It is done in love, or it is done in fear, I do not know which it is. No matter what the impulse is, the act born of it is beyond imagination marvelous to our kind of people, the cold whites."
Every time many celebrities come from all over India, even people come from many foreign countries too. This year, in 2013, people from some 100 countries are coming there. In the past famous Hollywood actress and singer Madonna and Hollywood actress Angelina Julie have visited Kumbh Melaa from the USA. This year Hollywood actress Catherine Zeta-Jones and Hollywood actor Richard Gear are going to visit it.
Dates of Kumbh Melaa
This data can be presented in table form like this--
Most Significant Days During Kumbh Melaa of 2013
Paush Poornimaa - The day occurs when the Moon is full in the Hindu month of Paush. This is the last Full Moon of winter. By this time, the Saadhu and hundreds of thousands of pilgrims arrive at the Kumbh Melaa.
Maunee Amaavasyaa Snaan - For the holy men and women, this is the main bathing day. New members to various holy monastic orders receive their first initiation on this day.
Basant Panchamee Snaan - This is the 5th day of the lighted half of the lunar month (Shukla Paksh) and is the beginning of spring in North India.
Rath Saptamee Snaan - Rath Saptamee festival is observed on the 7th day of Shukla Paksh in the Maagh Month (January–February) in the traditional Hindu calendar.
Bheeshm Ekaadashee Snaan - On this day, Bheeshm Pitaamaha, the oldest, wisest, most powerful and most righteous person belonging to the Kuru dynasty (approximately over 5000 years ago), narrated the greatness of Lord Krishn through Vishnu Sahastra Naam to Yudhishthir, the oldest brother of Paandav.
Types of Kumbh Melaa
Dates of Some Old Kumbh Melaa
2013, Poorn Kumbh Melaa in Allaahaabaad, January 14 to February 25. The following
are the main Snaan days for it
--The Kumbh Melaa at Naasik in 2015 will also be Known as Sinhasth (as Brihaspati
will be in Sinh Raashi) - August 15 to September 13.
Created by Sushma Gupta on 3/15/05
Updated on 09/29/13