Kumbh Mela is made up of two-words Kumbh and Mela. The name Kumbh is derived from the immortal pot of nectar which the Devatas and the demons fought for during the Samudra Manthan as described in Srimad Bhagavatam. Mela means ‘human gathering’ or ‘meeting’.
It is believed that, a few drops from the Kumbh fell at four places – Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nasik. Hence Kumbh mela is conducted in these 4 places in rotation.
Puranas also state another story about Garudadev, the eternal carrier of Lord Visnu. Garudadev knew that Lord Krsna will need a tree to jump in to the rivers of Yamuna in the future to subdue Kaliya. Hence he pour some drops of nectar on a Kadamba tree on the banks of River Yamuna in Vrindavan to preserve it. Hence at the time of Lord Krsna’s pastime of subduing Kaliya, even though all the trees on the bank of Yamuna had died due to the poisonous fumes of the serpent, the tree which was fed with nectar remained alive. This tree is still alive and devotees can see it at Kaliya ghat in Vrindavan. Thus the divine nectar had fallen in the holy land of Vrindavan too.
Kadamba Tree at Kaliya Ghat
Once, the king of all pilgrimage places, Tirth Raj Prayag complained to the Lord that all pilgrimage places visit Prayag to pay their salutations, then why only Vrindavan never comes to pay its tribute. The Lord then replied that He has appointed Prayag as king of all pilgrimage places but how can he appoint Prayag as king of His home. Also the Lord loves his home so much that He never goes even a step from Våndavana.
Vṛndāvanaṁ parityajya padam ekaṁ na gacchati
Once Nand baba and other inhabitants of Vrindavan plan to visit Prayag for Kumbh mela and by the will of Lord Krsna at Gyan Gudri(a place in Vrindavan) they see a black horse coming fast towards Vrindavan. The horse looked ugly and they feared if it was a demon sent by Kamsa. While they were watching, the horse smeared its body with the dust of Vrindavan and soon turned white and beautiful. Nand baba enquired “Who are you?” The horse attained a human form with glowing effulgence. He said that he is Tirthraj prayag and he visits Vrindavan each time before Kumbh mela to pay his tributes to the residents of Vraj and to purify himself from the sins that people leave in its waters by smearing his body with the dust of Vrindavan.
All the brajavasis were amazed to know the greatness of Braj raj(dust of Vrindavan) and cancelled their visit to Kumbh mela at Prayag.
Kumbh mela at Vrindavan
It is said that not just Prayag but all tirthas visit Vrindavan before the Kumbh mela at Haridwar. This year it is a matter of great blessing that Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir is also taking part in this gathering in great fervour.
On 14 Feb 2021 at 3.30pm, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Sri Yogi Adiyanath ji will inaugurate the newly built Brahmarshi Devaraha ghat on the banks of divine Yamuna river. The daily arati to Mother Yamuna from then on will be offered by the devotees of Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir(VCM).
The State Government is spending Rs.285 crores to provide electricity, water, toilet and other basic facilities for the event.
This Mela then will go on for a period of 40 days from 16th Feb to 25th March. The Shahi snan dates are as follows.
|16 Feb 2021, Tuesday, Vasanta Pancami||Inauguration of Vrindavan Kumbh, flag hoisting|
|27 Feb 2021, Saturday, Maghi Purnima,||Vrindavan Kumbh pratham snan|
|09 Mar 2021, Tuesday, Falgun Krsna ekadasi||Vrindavan Kumbh dvitiya snan|
|13 Mar 2021, Saturday, Falgun Amavasya||Vrindavan Kumbh tritiya snan|
|25 Mar 2021, Thursday, Rangabharni ekadasi||Vrindavan shahi panchkosi parikrama|
VCM is also occupying an area of 995sq metres and has put a gorgeous tent for conducting various programmes. A small temple is set up to facilitate the devotees visiting the event and will have enlightening lectures on the ancient vedic literature.
Free prasadam of complete meal(thali) will be distributed each day for 1000 sadhus and 1000 visiting pilgrims in the afternoon as well as evening. Timings being 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 8pm.
On 7th of Mar, 2021 all Gaudiya vaishnavas will hold a procession with Harinaam sankirtan. Many other spiritual organisations are participating in the event. The devotees from Shaymasundar temple of Vrindavan are also holding a very massive exhibition.
All devotees are requested to participate in this mega event of Kumbh mela at Vrindavan and receive the blessings of the Lord without fail.