Kumbh Mela is one of the largest gathering places for a religious purpose in the wolrd. Millions of people gather on different places for this auspicious occasion to bath in the holy River. Kumbh Parva in Hindus is celebrated four times every 12 years and the places of the observance rotating between four pilgrimage places on four sacred rivers: at Haridwar on the Ganges River, at Ujjain on the Shipra River, at Nasik on the Godavari River, and at Prayag (Allahabad) at the confluence of the Ganges, Jamuna (popularly known as Yamuna), and the mythical River Sarasvati.
Kumbh Mela in Allahabad (Prayag) :
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| Kumbh Mela Allahabad in Sangam |
According to astrologers, the 'Kumbh Mela' takes place when the planet Jupiter enters Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries. Kumbh (Kumbha means pot) Mela (means fair) is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage. The last kumbh mela was celebrated in Allahabad in 2013. The Prayag (Allahabad) Kumbh Mela is the largest and holiest of all melas and is believed to be the most auspicious.
Kumbh Mela in Haridwar (Ganga River) :
.jpg "Kumbh Mela in Haridwar (Ganga River)") |
| Kumbh Mela in Haridwar (Ganga River) |
Haridwar is located on the foothills of Shivaliks of Himalayan Range. In acient scriptures Haridwar was also known as Tapovan, Mayapuri, Gangadwar and Mokshadwar. It is one of the most sacred seven cities of India. Haridwar have enormous religious significance and a key pilgrimage town for the Hindus.The procedure through which the dates of the mela are calculated requires the position of the sun, moon and Jupiter and how this fall in line with the Zodiac each Mela falls in. Aries is the Zodiac sign that Haridwar is associated with. The last Kumbh Mela was celebrated in Haridwar from Makar Sankranti i.e. 14 January 2010 to Shakh Purnima Snan, 28 April 2010. The date of next Kumbh Mela which will be held in Haridwar in the year 2022 is still to be worked out by the astrologers
Kumbh Mela in Nashik ( Panchwati ) :
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| Kumbh Mela in Nashik in Panchwati |
Trimbakeshwar is a holy town that houses one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India. It also is the origin of the river Godavari and is situated 38 kms away from Nasik. The Sinhasta Kumbh Mela is held once in 12 years in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar. According to historical records, Nasik is one of four places where the elixir of immortality, the 'amrit', fell to earth from a pitcher as gods and demons were engaged in the tussle to gain the ownership of the jar full of 'amrit'. The Kumbh Mela rotates among the four holy sites every three years.
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| Nashik Kumbh Mela in Kushavarta |
The Kumbh Mela is marked by millions of devotees' plunge into the river Godavari that is believed would cleanse their souls leading to salvation. A ritual bath at a predetermined time and place is the major event of the festival. The annual festival of Shivratri is also celebrated with great pomp and show inviting thousands of pilgrims.
Kumbh Mela in Ujjain
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| The Shri Ram Ghat on the Shipra River |
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Ujjain' means the 'city of victory' (earlier known as
Ujjayini) and is located on the western boundary of Madhya Pradesh, Ujjain is 55 km from Indore. It is situated on the banks of Shipra River. Ujjain is one of the holiest cities in India. According to Indian astrology, zero degrees begin in Ujjain. According to the Mahabharata's Aranya-parva, Ujjain is one of the seven sacred moksa-puris or sapta-puris. The others are Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Kashi (Varanasi), Kanchipuram, and Dwarka. It is said that Siva killed the demon Tripura at Ujjain.
