The mystical Kumbh Mela (fair) is a religious extravaganza of India. It takes place on the banks of different rivers when the planet Jupiter enters Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries, as per Astrology. It is considered the most auspicious pilgrimage of Hindus. Devout Hindus gather to discuss their faith and spread the teachings of their religion. They take bath in the holy river, perform Puja (worship), and listen to the discourses of Sadhus with the belief that it will absolve them and their ancestors of all the sin they have committed and help them attain Nirvana (freedom from the vicious cycle of birth and death).

Mythology about Kumbh Mela

The Kumbh Mela holds its significance ever since the ages. Legend has it that once the Devtas (the Gods) lost their strength, and to regain their strength, they decided to churn the primordial ocean of milk on the advice of the Bramha (the God of creation) for Amrit (Nectar), which would make them immortal after drinking. Since they had lost their strength, they sought the help of Rakshas (the demons) and agreed to share the Amrit equally at the end. The Mandar Mountain was used as churning rod and Vasuki (the king of serpents) as the rope for churning. After churning for 1000 years, the Dhanvantri (the divine healer) appeared with "Kumbh" (the pot) in his palms containing nectar. However, a fight broke out between the Gods and the Demons for taking the whole Amrit which went on 12 human years. During the fight, Garuda, the celestial bird flew away with the Kumbh holding the nectar. As he flew from one place to another, the drops of nectar fell at four places on earth which is now called Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nasik. To commemorate this event, Hindus gather at these places giving it the name, Kumbh Mela.

The Holy Dip - the major ritual performed in Kumbh Mela

The main bathing days are referred as 'Shahi Snans', meaning royal bathing. A sacred dip in the Kumbh is believed to purify one from the sins, thus, leading him on the path of salvation. This is because according to the legend, at the time of the fair, the river waters are charged with amazing medicinal effects due to superior electromagnetic radiation of the Sun, Moon, and the Jupiter, this fluctuation is dependent on the positions and the phases of the moon. Thus, this dip is revered as the most sacred of all the traditions and that a Hindu must do so at least once in lifetime. Briefly, this fair is a fusion of religious, spiritual, and socio-cultural significance that provides freedom from evils to the mankind.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR MAHA KUMBHA - HARIDWAR 2010

• 14 Jan 2010 Thu Makar Sankranti Snan - First Snan (bath)
• 15 Jan 2010 Fri Mauni Amavasya and Surya Grahan (Solar Eclipse) - 2nd Snan
• 20 Jan 2010 Wed Basant Panchmi Snan - Third snan
• 30 Jan 2010 Sat Magh Purnima Snan - Fourth Snan
• 12 Feb 2010 Fri Maha Shivratri - Pratham Shahi Snan - First Royal Bath
• 15 Mar 2010 Mon Somvati Amavasya - Dvitya Shahi snan - 2nd Royal Bath.
• 24 Mar 2010 Wed Ram Navmi - Fifth Snan
• 30 Mar 2010 Tue Chaitra purnima snan
• 14 Apr 2010 Wed Baisakhi - Pramukh Shahi Sanan
• 28 Apr 2010 Wed Shakh Purnima - snan

When and where it is held

It is held every 12 years at the following four locations in India on rotational basis:

Prayag (Allahabad), in the state Uttar Pradesh, at the confluence of river Ganga (the Ganges), Yamuna, and mystical Saraswati Haridwar in the state of Uttaranchal at the place where the river Ganga comes to plains Ujjain in the state of Madhya Pradesh on the banks of river Kshipra (Shipra) Nasik in the state of Maharashtra on the bank of river Godavari For each site Kumbh Mela comes in every 12 years. Each site's celebration is based on particular zodiacal positions of the Sun, the Moon, and Jupiter, the holiest time occurring at the exact moment these zodiacal conditions are fulfilled.

The following table shows the positions of the planets when the Kumbh Fair is held at four different places in India.

The exact time and place of the festival is determined by astrological calculations and religious considerations. Therefore, sometime it occurs only at the gap of a year at different locations.

Five types of Kumbh Melas take place at different times at different locations:

Maha Kumbh Mela: takes place every 144 years in Allahabad only.

Purna (Complete) or Maha Kumbh Mela: takes place after every 12 years.

Ardh Kumbh: takes place in the 6th year after Kumbh Mela.

Kumbh Mela: takes place every three years each time at different place out of the four sites of pilgrimage.

Magh Mela: takes place annually only in Allahabad at the time of Jan-Feb, which is the Magh Hindu month, Except for the year in which Kumbh Mela and Ardh Kumbh Mela are held.