Kumbh Mela

Kumbh Mela

Thousands of years ago, in the Vedic period, it so happened that the Gods and demons decided to churn the 'Ksheer Sagar' (ocean of milk) in order to obtain 'amrit' (the nectar of immortality). They used the mountain Mandara as a churning rod, placing it at the centre of the ocean. Lord Vishnu incarnated as the tortoise, Kurma avatar, using His hard shell as a base to support the mountain. The serpent 'Vasuki' agreed to coil as a rope around the mountain so that the Gods and demons can churn the ocean.

The Gods and demons gripped the two ends of the serpent and started pulling it. As the mountain whipped, several magical objects and divine beings popped out of the ocean. And then emerged Lord Dhanvantari, holding the ‘Kumbh1 (urn) of nectar in his hands. As soon as the demons saw the Kumbh of nectar, they became greedy and selfish. They instantly snatched the Kumbh and ran away. But the Gods chased them.

There was a terrible fight between the Gods and the demons for the pot of amrit. The battle continued for twelve days and twelve nights (equivalent to twelve human years). It is believed that during this struggle, some drops of amrit fell at four places: Prayag (Allahabad), Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik. Finally, the Gods emerged victorious and had the entire share of the nectar of immortality.

Kumbh Mela is the fair observed at the four locations where the nectar fell. On a rotation basis, every three years there is a Kumbh Mela in one of these four cities, Nasik, Ujjain, Haridwar, and Prayag. It, therefore, returns to the same city every 12 years and lasts for over a month. It is attended by millions of people and is said to be the largest religious gathering in the world. Twelve Kumbh Melas culminate into The Maha Kumbh over a span of 144 years!

According to the Hindu Mythology, the Kumbh containing the nectar of life is kept in the Heaven. With certain astrological combinations of Sun, Moon and Jupiter, the Kumbh shakes and the nectar falls on the earth. So, the Kumbh Mela is held at these locations.

At Prayag, the Maha Kumbh Mela is held in the month of Magha (January/February according to the Gregorian calendar); at Haridwar, the Kumbh Mela is held in the months of Phalguna and Chaitra (February/March/April); in Ujjain, the festival is held in the month of Vaishakha (May); and in Nasik, it takes place in the month of Shravana (July). At Prayag, the Mela is held at the confluence of the three holy rivers - Ganga (Ganges), Yamuna and Saraswati; at Haridwar where the river Ganga enters the plains from Himalayas; at Ujjain, on the banks of Shipra river; and at Nasik on the banks of river Godavari.

Millions of people, including the hermits, sages, and the wandering mendicants from all parts of the country arrive at the fair. Most of the visitors stay for one month in tents and temporary ashrams on the shores of the Ganga and cook their own food. Many people feed the holy men. They spend their time singing devotional songs and engaging in religious meetings and discussions. Priests and philosophers give lectures on the religious epics and recite verses from the Vedas. They debate over the doctrines and standardize them.

The most significant event of this festival is a ritual bath at the banks of the rivers in each town. At the auspicious hour, the assembled Sadhus smear ash on their face and body. Then they take out a procession. The religious leaders ride an unsaddled horse, followed by the caparisoned elephants. The holy men walk behind them. The entire atmosphere seems sacrosanct with the chiming of bells and incense sticks wafting sweet smell. Amidst the showering of flowers and beating of drums, the procession marches down to the edge of the river. Millions of pilgrims follow the procession. As soon as the Sadhus wade into the holy water, the crowd rushes in to take a holy dip.

Hindus regard that a dip in the holy Ganga, specially at Haridwar, washes off all their sins and frees them from the cycle of rebirth and death. According to the mythology, Haridwar is known as the 'gateway to reach the gods'. In the evenings, people light earthen lamps and float them into the holy river. The Kumbh Mela is an occasion that reaffirms our faith in our inner self. The amrit is actually the divine knowledge and strength that lies within us. All that we need to do is to judiciously churn our inner self and realise the presence of God within us.