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The Ujjain Kumbh is celebrated when Jupiter ascends into sun sign Leo's

quarter or the Simha constellation of zodiac which is why it is called

'Simhastha'. The Simhastha is special in Ujjain as it is the seat of divine

Mahakal- the Lord of all times. The ritual of bathing in the holy waters of

Kshipra begins on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-

April) and continues on various dates till the full moon shows up in thend

following month of Vaishakha. Simhastha 2016 shall begin on 22 of April andst

will continue till 21 of May.

Sadhus of various sects from across the country assemble in Ujjain. Holy men

mingle with ordinary people as they take their ritual dip in the holy waters of

the Kshipra.

Simhastha is not just a practice or a ritual instead it highlights the deep ethos

of Sanathan dharma. It is a spectacular sight that amazes the onlookers andcompels them to think about the divine force which binds India in one thread

of recognitions, traditions and beliefs. During Simhastha, one can notice the

power of India's unity with all the diversities on the ghats of Kshipra. People'The holy bath of the Kumbh is equal in piety to thousands of Kartik snans from different places and various walks of life come to Ujjain to immerse(baths), a hundred Magh snans and crores of Narmada snans. The fruits of a themselves in holy Kshipra-the enhancer of life, with only one ambition ofKumbh snan are equal to the fruits of thousands of Ashvamedh Yajnas and attaining salvation (Moksha).lakhs of journeys around the earth'. - Skanda Purana The Nagas (sanyasis of Shiavite cult) and their shahi snan in Kshipra when they

are hundreds in number, is an important occasion which is the majorThe Simhastha Kumbh is a unique celebration in India. The most popular attraction of Simhastha. The Nagas are one of the significant branches oflegend regarding the origin of Kumbh Melas is the samudra manthan or Sanathan dharma's cultural legacy. Their akharas(wrestling arenas) are rare'churning of the ocean'. Gods and demons competed fiercely in the churning and invaluable proof of their zeal that has kept the practice alive over thein search of the divine nectar of immortality. During this epic battle to capture centuries, till date. It is an unusual sight to witness the shahi snan when thethe urn (kumbh) containing the nectar, drops of the precious liquid fell on four Nagas show up in their rustic appearance donning the attire of dhooni,places Haridwar, Prayag (Allahabad), Nashik and Ujjain. Hence, river Kshipra

rudraksh and vairagya and decorated with weapons, to take bath in the holybecame the enhancer of life and to celebrate this event since then the grand river.festival came in vogue. Kumbh Mela, held once every twelve years at these In this journey for salvation, your hospitality will be taken care of, by yourfour places attracts millions of devotees. host-Madhya Pradesh Tourism. We welcome you to Ujjain- the divine domain

of Mahakal.

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During the rare celestial time of the Simhastha, millions of pilgrims arrive at thebanks of Kshipra to take the holy dip, unified by the traditions and beliefs of the

Indian culture. These ghats of the Kshipra are a constant center of bathing,

giving alms and libations. The many ghats of Kshipra attract pilgrims,

photographers, poets and locals. During Simhastha, these people become

witness to one of the biggest festival of faith, when millions of people converge

to take the dip in the holy waters of Kshipra.

Main dates of holy bath

First bath - 22 April 2016 (Friday) Full Moon Night

6 May 2016 (Friday) Vaishakha Krishna Amavasya

9 May 2016 (Monday) Shukla Tritiya11 May 2016 (Wednesday) Shukla Panchmi

21 May 2016 (Saturday) Poornimath th

Apart from this, 17 and 19 May 2016 are also main dates for taking the

holy bath.

Ghats of Kshipra and Ramghat

The Holy Bath of Faith