Kumbh Mela: The largest religious congregation on earth

Kumbh Mela (the festival of the sacred pitcher) is the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims on earth, during which participants bathe or take a dip in the sacred river. Devotees believe that by bathing in the Ganges one is freed from sins liberating her/him from the cycle of birth and death. Millions of people reach the place without any invitation. The festival is held at Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik every four years by rotation and is attended by millions of people irrespective of caste, creed or gender. Kumbh Mela plays a central spiritual role in India. Knowledge and skills related to the tradition are transmitted through ancient religious manuscripts, oral traditions, historical travelogues and texts produced by eminent historians. However, the teacher-student relationship of the sadhus in the ashrams and akhadas remains the most important method of imparting and safeguarding knowledge and skills relating to Kumbh mela.

Purnakumbha is held once in every 12 years. Again, after 12 Purnakumbhas, Mahakumbha is organized. That is, once in 144 years, the Maha Kumbh event is held. Kumbh Mela has a history of many years. Many mysteries are associated with this congregation. Know what the scriptures say about the origin of Kumbh Mela.

First Kumbh Mela

According to some ancient scriptures, Kumbh Mela was first organized in Satya Yuga. However, when and where the first Kumbha was held in Satya Yuga is not clearly mentioned anywhere. It is widely believed that the Kumbh Mela is organized since the churning of the sea. Some experts say that Kumbh Mela is more than 850 years old. Many say that the first Kumbh Mela started at the hands of Adi Shankaracharya. Many historians say that Kumbh Mela was first organized during the Gupta era. Evidence has been found that Kumbh was organized even during the reign of Emperor Harshvardhan.

Mention of Kumbh Mela in history

Historians have found evidence of the Kumbh Mela that was organized during the reign of Emperor Harshvardhan. Famous Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang mentions the Kumbh Mela in his book about his visit to India. At the confluence of three rivers in Prayag, Harshvardhan organized the Kumbh Mela every five years. There he used to donate all his possessions, even his clothes.

The mystery of Mahakumbha

Churning of ocean is mentioned in almost all Puranas including Shiva Purana, Matsya Purana, Padma Purana, Bhavisya Purana. When the ocean churns, the Amrit Kalsa comes up. A conflict broke out between the gods and the asuras over the right to nectar. When the Asuras captured the Amrita Kalsa, Vishnu took the form of Mohini and tricked the Asuras and brought the pot back. When the conflict over the right to amrita intensified, Vishnu handed over the pitcher to Jayanta, the son of god Indra. Jayanta took the form of a crow and flew away with the pitcher in his beak. At that time a few drops of nectar fell in four places. These four places are - Prayagraj, Ujjain, Haridwar and Nashik. Wherever the drops of nectar fell, Kumbh Melas were held.

According to the Puranas, Jayanta got some nectar on his mouth while flying in the form of a crow with nectar in his beak. That is why crows live so long and it is said that crows never die except by accident. Besides, drops of nectar fell on Durba grass too. So Durba grass is very holy and it is used in the puja of lord Ganesha.

Why Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj?

Maha Kumbh held in Prayagraj has special significance. Because here is the confluence of Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers. So the importance of this place is more than other three places. It is believed that those who take a royal bath at the confluence of these three rivers get liberation.

How to reach:

By Air

Bamrauli Airport, Allahabad - 6 km Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, Varanasi - 150 Km Amausi International Airport, Lucknow - 200 Km

By Train

Allahabad Railway Junction - 4 km Prayag Station - 2 km Rambagh Station - 3 km

By Road

Civil Lines Bus Stand - 5 km

Official website of Kumbh: https://kumbh.gov.in/en 

* Photo & Information collected from internet.