Kumbh Mela

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AUGUST 2015 | WWW.WISHESH.COM WWW.WISHESH.COM | AUGUST 2015 46 Kumbh Mela and Maha Godavari Pushkaram 2015 K umbh Mela is one of the deified festivals of India and is organized at a big scale. It is the world’s largest congregation of devotees from different places for a religious purpose. The Sanskrit word Kumbha refers to water jug or Kalasha. Mythology T he strong belief is that when Gods and demons were fighting for nector, Vishnu flew away with the pot or kalasha, during which few drops of nectar spilled in four different places. These are the places where we celebrate Kumbh Melas. They include Hardwar, Nasik, Ujjain and Prayag (Allahabad). Huge crowds of devotees who participate in Kumb Mela strongly believe that bathing or taking a holy dip in the holy rivers located in these places will cleanse all the sins of humans. When is Kumbh Mela Observed? Kumbh Mela is celebrated four times every twelve years. However, the site of observance rotates between four pilgrim places, which include Haridwar on the Ganges river, Ujjain on the Shipra, Nasik on the Godavari, and Allahabad (Prayag) on the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical river Sarasvati. Ardha (Half) Kumbh Mela occurs between the two Purna Kumbha Melas. It is held at only two places, Haridwar and Allahabad, every sixth year. The Maha Kumbh occurs after 12 Purna Kumbh Melas i.e. every 144 years. Kumbh Mela is celebrated four times every twelve years. However, the site of observance rotates between four pilgrim places, Cover Story Cover Story

Transcript of Kumbh Mela

AUGUST 2015 | WWW.WISHESH.COM WWW.WISHESH.COM | AUGUST 2015

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Kumbh Mela and Maha Godavari Pushkaram 2015

Kumbh Mela is one of the deified festivals of India

and is organized at a big scale. It is the world’s largest congregation of devotees from different places for a religious purpose. The Sanskrit word Kumbha refers to water jug or Kalasha.

Mythology

The strong belief is that when Gods and demons

were fighting for nector, Vishnu flew away with the pot or kalasha, during which few drops of nectar spilled in four different places. These are the places where we celebrate Kumbh Melas. They include Hardwar, Nasik,Ujjain and Prayag (Allahabad).Huge crowds of devotees who participate in Kumb Mela strongly believe that bathing or taking a holy dip in the holy rivers located in these places will cleanse all the sins of humans.

When is Kumbh Mela Observed?

Kumbh Mela is celebrated four times every twelve years. However, the site of observance rotates between four pilgrim places, which include Haridwar on the Ganges river, Ujjain on the Shipra, Nasik on the Godavari, and Allahabad (Prayag) on the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical river Sarasvati.Ardha (Half) Kumbh Mela occurs between the two Purna Kumbha Melas. It

is held at only two places, Haridwar and Allahabad, every sixth year. The Maha Kumbh occurs after 12 Purna Kumbh Melas i.e. every 144 years.

Kumbh Mela is celebrated four times every twelve years. However, the site of observance rotates between four pilgrim places,

Cover StoryCover Story