No advertisement, No invitation, yet such a big congregation. It is nothing short of a marvel and unbelievable till one is a part of it.. Today Kumbh Mela at Allahabad is the biggest spectacle of faith and symbolic of ‘Jagat Kutumbkam ‘ or global village, wherein different cultures, different religions, different schools of thoughts come together and discuss and share information and knowledge. It is like an open university on religion.
The Kumbh Mela will commence on 27th January 2013 and will end on 25 February 2013. During this period, Allahabad would be the most populated city of the world. Kumbh Mela at Allahabad will be held on the banks of river Ganga, Yamuna, mythological Saraswati and the confluence of the rivers, which is known as Sangam.
On the sandy banks of the rivers, a new township comes up, wherein pilgrims, saints, preachers, healers, government departments, social organisations etc. set up their accommodation and offices. People assemble here to bathe in the holy rivers daily and more so on specified holy bathing days known as Snan Parvs (Bathing Days). to listen to holy discourses, to exchange and learn religious philosophies etc. People from different parts of India and from abroad converge at these places to bathe in the river on the auspicious occasion, known as Kumbh Snan Yoga.
It is believed that the dip grants salvation. Religious discourses, cultural activities and other events keep the people at large spell bound during this month long festival. It is something which has to be seen to believe. If one misses the opportunity to be a part of the worlds largest congregation in 2013, then the next opportunity would be available in 2025. This congregation at the Kumbh Township at Allahabad is like a model of Indian culture, integrity, secularity and expanse.
The faith and belief in god has propelled these people to be at Kumbh Allahabad despite of the several hardships on their way. Kumbh Mela does not belong to any particular religion, caste or creed rather it symbolizes the main spirit of Indian culture and thought. For such a sea of humanity to converge at a point of known attraction, the reason cannot be attributed to a mere myth. Kumbh Mela is a cultural festival, which symbolizes the stability and integrity the Indian Nation.
In 1885, Mark Twain wrote about Allahabad Kumbh;
"Pilgrims plodded for months in heat to get here, worn, poor and hungry, but sustained by unwavering faith"
Kumbh Mela is also celebrated at three more places in India. At Hardwar, it is celebrated on the banks of river Ganga, at Ujjain, Kumbh is celebrated on the banks of river Shipra and at Nasik on the banks of river Godawri.
The Mythology
As per Garuda Puran (I 240.26-28, Ramayana -III.35.27.34 and Mahabharata I-25.ff..) once upon a time sage Durvasa (spiritually enlightened sage) visited Amravati, the capital of Swarga (heaven). The sage in pleasant mood intended to see Lord Indra and on meeting him affectionately offered garland of ' never wilting flowers'. Lord Indra took them in a casual way and passed the garland to Airawat (divine elephant) who in turn crushed the garland under its feet. Angered at Lord Indra's arrogance, Sage Durvasa pronounced a curse on him, devoiding him of all the riches, virtues and power. Knowing this, demon king Bali attacked Lord Indra and snatched away all the riches and virtuous possessions. The gods were weakened and then Lord Vishnu (the preserver of the Universe) advised Lord Indra that to regain his lost powers and splendour he needed ambrosia or Amrita (divine nectar). To extract this from the depths of the ocean, the demons were motivated to churn the ocean along with the gods. Mighty mountain Mandarachal was used as churn staff, formidable serpent king Vasuki became the string to move the churn, Lord Vishnu in the guise of koorm (tortoise) gave support from the bottom and Lord Brahma (the creator of Universe) guided the churning from top.
With the churning, fourteen Ratnas (virtuous jewels) emerged from the ocean. These were Poison, Flying Horse, Magic Moon, Sky chariot, Vibrant Lyre, Rambha (the siren), Lakshmi (the paragaon of beauty and the provider of all riches), Vishwakarma (the divine architect), Dhanvantari (the divine healer), Gajaraj (the divine elephant), Kaustubh Mani , the divine conch shell, Varuni (the enchantress) and the coveted kumbh (pitcher) of Amrit (divine nectar).
With the emergence of amrit, there was scramble amongst the gods and demons for the possession of the divine elixir. Lord Vishnu handed over the kumbh(pitcher) of amrit to divine Garuda (the winged mount of Lord Vishnu). Garuda, who was to take the pitcher of nectar safely to heaven(Swarga ), was stopped on way at four places by the demons.These places are the present day Allahabad, Hardwar, Ujjain and Nashik, where Garuda had to put the pitcher down. Some of the nectar spilled at these places, sanctifying them forever. (As per Skand Puran, the story of taking away the pitcher by Jayanta, son of Lord Indra and the episode of spilling of nectar is mentioned, while other Purans - Vishnu, Brahamandu , Padma, Bhagwat , Agni, Mahabharat and Ramayana narrate the story of Garuda the winged mount of Lord Vishnu).
All along the flight, Garuda was guided by Lord Brihasapati (Jupiter),then transiting in the rashi (zodiac) Acquarius, Taurus and Leo. Sun and Saturn alongwith the Moon were on the vanguard in protecting the Amrit Kumbh (pitcher of divine nectar). The flight of Garuda lasted 12 days (12 human years). Therefore Kumbh is celebrated around every twelve years.
Importance of bathing during Kumbh
It is believed that bathing during Kumbh cures the bather of all sins and evils and grants the bather salvation. It is also believed that at the time of Kumbh Yog, the water of Sangam (confluence of rivers at Allahabad) is charged with positive healing effects and that water at the time of Kumbh is charges positively by enhanced electromagnetic radiations of the Sun, Moon and the Jupiter, the flux of which also varies in accordance to positions and the phases of the moon, and also by the + and - signs of the sun spots. As per Puranas (Hindu Scripts) properties of river water at Allahabad has been referred to as Amrit or elexir.
Allahabad is the modern name of the holy city called Prayag. Prayag was also referred to as Teerthraj Prayag, meaning the holiest of the holy. Kumbh at Allahabad is of a very special significance. Bathing at Prayag is mentioned in Brahma Purana (Hindu Script) as " bathing in the month of Magh at the bank of Ganga and Yamuna at Prayag bestows results of millions and millions of "Ashvamedha Yajna" (Vedic Sacrifice which bestows immense power).
Auspicious bathing dates for 2013 Kumbh Mela, Allahabad
Makar Sankranti 14 January (Shahi Snan)
Paush Poornima 27 January
Ekadashi Snan 6th February
Mauni Amavasya 10 February (Shahi Snan)
Basant Panchami 15 February (Shahi Snan)
Rath Saptami Snan 17 February
Bhisma Ekadashi Snan 18 February
Maghi Poornima 25 February
Mahashivratri 10 March
