Kumbh Mela | The facts you should know Kumbh Mela |

Kumbh Mela | The facts you should know Kumbh Mela |

In this blog facts about Kumbh Mela is given. The Meaning of Kumbh Mela, the Locations of Kumbh Mela, Significance of Kumbh Mela, Rituals of Kumbh Mela and Akhara & Naga Sadhus are briefly described.

 

Kumbh Mela

Kumbh Mela  - What is it ?

Kumbh Mela means Fair of Pot. Kumbh is a pot which contained Amrit (Nectar) after Samudra Manthan.

Kumbh Mela is worshiped in Bharat (India).

Kumbh Mela, the ritual is performed by Hindus.

Kumbh Mela (the festival of the sacred pitcher), is one of the largest public gathering and collective act of faith.

Kumbh Mela is a religious pilgrimage that is celebrated four times over a course of 12 years. 

Kumbh Mela’s origin was transcribed by the 8th-century philosopher Adi Shankaracharya. 

Kumbh Mela  - Why is it performed ?

Kumbh Mela is celebrated to eliminate negative influences and rejuvenation of mind and soul.

Kumbh Mela

From all over world, Hindus come together to bathe in sacred or holy rivers. Bathing in these rivers is thought to cleanse a person of all their sins. 

Kumbh Mela  - Which are the Locations ?

Kumbh Mela  - the geographical location spans over four locations in India.

Kumbh Mela site keeps rotating between one of the four locations on four sacred rivers.

Kumbh Mela is celebrated on Ganga River at Haridwar, Uttarakhand State.

Kumbh Mela is celebrated on Shipra River at Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh State.

Kumbh Mela is celebrated on Godavari River at Nashik, Maharashtra State.

Kumbh Mela is celebrated on at the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati, Prayagraj (Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh State.

Kumbh Mela  - What is Mythological Significance ?

Once Gods and demons fought over the sacred pitcher (Kumbh) of Amrit (nectar of immortality) called the Ratna of Samudra Manthan (churning of the milk ocean).

Kumbh Mela

The Lord Vishnu whisked the Kumbh out of grasp of the covetous demons who had tried to claim it.

The Lord Vishnu took it heavenwards, a few drops of the precious nectar fell on the four sacred sites Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik and Prayag. 

Following pursuit, Gods and demons fought which lasted twelve divine days which is equivalent to twelve human years.

Therefore, the Mela is celebrated every twelve years, staggered at each of the four sacred sites in this cycle. 

Kumbh Mela

These four holy rivers are believed to have turned into Amrit at the cosmic moment. 

These rivers give pilgrims the chance to bathe in the essence of purity, auspiciousness, and immortality.

Kumbh Mela- What is Astrological Significance ?

In continuation to the astrological calculation, the event of Kumbh takes place as per the following astrological positions:

When Jupiter enters the Aquarius constellation along with the Sun moving in to the Aries constellation, the Kumbh Mela is held at Haridwar.

When Jupiter moves in to Leo, the Kumbh Mela is held at Nasik on the banks of Godavari and in the event of Jupiter moving in to Leo and the Sun entering Aries, the Kumbh Mela is held at Ujjain.

When Jupiter enters Libra and the Sun and the Moon remain together on Kartik Amavasya (8th month of Hindu year) then also the Kumbh Mela is held at Ujjain.

When Jupiter, the Sun, and the Moon enter Cancer on lunar conjunction (Amavasya), then also the Kumbh Mela is held on the banks of river Godavari.

When Jupiter enters the Aries constellation and the Sun and the Moon are in Capricorn constellation, the Kumbh Mela is held at Prayagraj on the new moon day.

When the Sun is in Capricorn and Jupiter moves in to Taurus, the Kumbh Mela is held at Prayagraj.

Kumbh Mela– What is Aarti (One of the Ritual) ?

Aarti is a ritual performed on the riverbanks in which Hindus participate to show their gratitude towards the rivers. 

Kumbh Mela

Continually flowing rivers serve as a lifeline and so are treated with immense importance by Hindus.

The Aartis are performed in the mornings and evenings by Batuks (Priests).

Batuks (Priests) chant hymns with great fervour, holding lamps (Diya). 

The chanting and the light from diyas give the heavenly experience.

Kumbh Mela – What is Snan - bathing (One of the Ritual) ?

Bathing ritual so called holy dip is the most significant ritual performed at Kumbh Mela. 

Millions of Hindus take part in the Kumbh bathing ritual. 

Kumbh Mela

By performing this ritual means submerging oneself in the holy waters, one is purged of all their sins.

By performing this ritual means releasing oneself and their ancestors from the cycle of rebirth.

Kumbh Mela – What is Fasting -Vrat (One of the Ritual) ?

Fasting-Vrat is one of the ritual during Kumbh Mela. 

Absolute observance of all ten aspects of dharma is necessary during the practice of fasting. 

Manu has described these ten dharmas to be: Patience, Forgiveness, Selflessness, Not to steal, Physical purity, Control of senses, Wisdom, Knowledge, Speaking the truth and Non-violence.

Kumbh Mela – What is Praying to Gods -Dev Pujan (One of the Ritual)?

It is believed that the Hindu Gods visit the Kumbh Mela.

Kumbh Mela

One has to meditate in the God’s honour with complete devotion brings well-being. 

Kumbh Mela – What is practice of Daan (One of the Ritual)?

Donation – Daan, during Kumbh is considered greater than relinquishment. 

Gau-daan (donation of cow), Vastra Daan (donating of clothes), Dravya Daan (donating of money), Swarn Daan (donation of gold) are the types of Donation – Daan. 

Kumbh Mela – What is Satsang (One of the Ritual)?

Kumbh Mela - the saints and intellectuals give speech on Hinduism, so devotees should stay in close connection with them.

Kumbh Mela – Who are Naga Sadhus ?

They are also called Naga Sanyasis, don’t wear any clothes. They are separated from the material world.

Kumbh Mela

The sadhus are seen clad in saffron sheets with Vibhuti ashes dabbed on their skin as per the requirements of ancient traditions. 

Kumbh Mela – What is Akhara ?

The Naga Sadhus are members of an akhara or sect of sadhus. There are different akharas.

Kumbh Mela

The order of entering the water is fixed, starting with the Juna akhara, the Niranjani akhara and Mahanirvani akhara.


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