Story of Kumbh Mela

Kumbh Mela is considered as the most auspicious period of India. Kumbh mela provides us this great opportunity to purify our soul by bathing in Holy River and serving saints.

As per medieval Hindu theology, the origin of Kumbh Mela dates back to the time when Gods (Devtas) and Demons (Asura) resided on the earth. Devtas were under the influence of a curse which aroused fear in them eventually making them weak and coward. Brahma (the creator) advised them to churn the milky ocean to obtain the elixir of immortality. The Mandara Mountain acted as the churning rod and Vasuki (king of serpents) was used as a rope for churning. Kumbh was the pot which consist the nectar of immortality and was recovered from Samudramanthan.

Story behind Kumbh Mela

Devtas asked the help of demons for this tough task to complete with mutual agreement of sharing the elixir of immortality equally. They churned the ocean for 1000 years, where demons were holding Vasuki’s head and Gods were holding its tail. Finally after this entire churning process, Dhanwantari appeared with Kumbh in his palms. To prevent the amrita from demons, its safety was entrusted to Gods Brahaspati, Surya, Shani and Chandra. After learning the conspiracy of the Devtas, demons turned vicious and attacked them. Devtas knew that demons possessed more power and can easily defeat them. There is also a prevalent legend that it was actually the demons that were being chased by the demigods for 12 days and 12 nights, during which the drops of elixir of immortality fell at these four places. These four places are since believed to have acquired mystical powers. Because 12 days of Gods are equivalent to 12 years for humans; the Kumbh Mela is celebrated once every 12 years in each of the four places - banks of river Godavari in Nasik, river Kshipra in Ujjain, river Ganges in Haridwar, and at the Sangam of Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati in Allahabad, where the drops are believed to have fallen. Millions of devout, come together to partake in ritualistic bathing and ceremonies to cleanse themselves of all sins.

Nagas sadhu in Nashik Kumbh Mela

Whereas some stories tells us that Demons were chased by Gods for 12 days and nights when the drops of amrita fell down from Kumbh at Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain. In some mythological scriptures it is mentioned that the war between Gods and Demons in the sky lasted for twelve days for the possession of Amrita. To commemorate this holy event Maha Kumbh Mela is celebrated in every twelve years at the four sacred places where the drops from Kumbh were fallen.

Kumbh Mela is the largest spiritual gathering in the world where millions of devotees takes a holy dip in the sacred water.

It is believed that the river turns itself into sanctity spots filled with primordial amrita at the historic moment of the Maha Kumbh Mela. The pilgrims get once in a lifetime chance to bathe in the spirit of holiness, auspiciousness and salvation.