Maha Kumbh 2013

I welcome all of you, who love the god most  and who hate the god most!

  
History of Kumbh Mela

           Kumbh derives its name from the immortal Pot of Nectar, which the Demigods (Devtas) and Demons (Asuras) fought over, described in ancient Vedic scriptures known as the Puranas. It is these Vedic literatures that have stood the test of time, out of which the tradition has evolved into the one that the world now knows as The Kumbh Mela. Legend tells a tale from the bygone days of the universe when the demigods and the demons conjointly produced the nectar of immortality. The demigods, because cursed, were crippled of fear that eventually made them weak. The task being too sturdy for them alone, the demigods made a mutual agreement with the demons to complete it in full and share the nectar of immortality in half. It is said that the demigods and the demons assembled on the shore of the milk ocean that lies in the celestial region of the cosmos. And it began!

         For the task of churning the milk ocean, the Mandara Mountain was used as the churning rod, and Vasuki, the king of serpents, became the rope for churning. With the demigods at Vasuki’s tail and the demons at his head, the churning began. At first, the churning of the milk ocean produced a deadly poison which Lord Shiva drank without being affected. As Lord Shiva drank the poison, a few drops fell from his hands which were licked by scorpions, snakes, and similar other deadly creatures. Also, during the churning, the Mandara Mountain began to sink deep into the ocean, seeing which Lord Vishnu incarnated as a great tortoise and supported the mountain on His back. Finally, many hurdles and 1000 years later, Dhanwantari appeared with the Kumbh of immortal nectar in his hands. The demigods, being fearful of the demons' ill intent, forcibly seized the pot with its safety entrusted onto the four Gods - Brahaspati, Surya, Shani, and Chandra.

         Demons, after learning that their part of the agreement has not been kept, went after the demigods and for 12 days and 12 nights, the chase continued. Wherever the demigods went with the pot of nectar, fierce fighting ensued. It is believed that during this chase, a few drops from the Kumbh fell at four places - Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nasik. There is also a prevalent legend that it was actually the demons that were being chased by the demigods for 12 days and 12 nights, during which the drops of elixir of immortality fell at these four places. These four places are since believed to have acquired mystical powers. Because 12 days of Gods are equivalent to 12 years for humans; the Kumbh Mela is celebrated once every 12 years in each of the four places - banks of river Godavari in Nasik, river Kshipra in Ujjain, river Ganges in Haridwar, and at the Sangam of Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati in Allahabad, where the drops are believed to have fallen. Millions of devout, come together to partake in ritualistic bathing and ceremonies to cleanse themselves of all sins.



Maha Kumbh Mela

 
          The last time, in 2001, when the Maha Kumbh Mela was held here, nearly 60 million took a bath at Sangam, plus thousands others bore witness to the grandness of the event. After 12 long years, the wait is finally over as the Maha Kumbh is once again back to where it belongs – Allahabad. And the Kumbh Mela that is held here is considered to be the largest and holiest of all the four destinations and is believed to be the most auspicious. Allahabad is one of the most sacred cities in India, wherein the purity lies in the belief that after creating the world, Brahma, the great creator offered his first sacrifice at this place; and also because of the important position it holds according to the Hindu scriptures for possessing the holy confluence, known as Triveni Sangam, of the three sacred rivers of India - Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati.

         In 2013, from 27th January to 25th February, the banks of the Sangam will once again be in an uproar as millions - devout and commoners alike will make the place their temporary homes. And the sight of Sadhus, the guardians of the faith; Naga Babas, covering their naked bodies with ash; and Mahants, lured to come out of their hideouts in forests, mountains, and caves, charging towards the Sangam to take a holy dip in the waters at the appointed time will once again make up for the visual dazzle. It’s believed that bathing here will free one from all the past sins, thereby liberating him from the cycle of life and death. Discomfort of having to travel miles and living open air under freezing weather will take a backseat and it’s the pure sense of devotion and spirituality that will prevail, evident through their faces.

         Famous for its culture and contemporary heritage, the city of Allahabad will once again become a major attraction for foreigners willing to witness the greatest expression of Indian religion, and study and learn Indian culture as the roots of tradition and customs can be easily traced in this land of Triveni Sangam. The Maha Kumbh Mela to be held in Allahabad (Prayag) in the year 2013 will commence from 27th of January and will continue till 25th of February.



Kumbh Mela Dates 2013 (Allahabad)

         Kumbh Mela, the grandest of all gatherings is a commingling of millions of souls that come together to purge themselves before entering the heavenly realm of God; it is an open invitation, which is grabbed on like the very last opportunity by the devotees to deem themselves fit for an entry. It is held every three years in each of the four different locations - Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain, returning to each of the four places after a gap of every twelve years. Besides the regular Kumbh Mela, an Ardh (half) Kumbh Mela takes place six years after the Maha Kumbh in each of the location. And how it lands up in each location varies according to what position the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter hold in that period in different zodiac signs.

          It comes to Haridwar when Jupiter is in Aquarius and Sun is in Aries during the Hindu month of Chaitra i.e. in the month of March-April. In Allahabad it is celebrated in the month of January-February when Jupiter is in Aries or Taurus and Sun and Moon are in Capricorn during the Hindu month of Magha. In the Hindu month of Bhadraprada (August-September), when Sun and Jupiter are in Leo, Kumbh Mela comes to Nasik. And Ujjain gets to organize it when Jupiter is in Leo and Sun is in Aries, or when all three are in Libra during the Hindu month of Vaisakha i.e. April-May. Below is a comprehensive list of Kumbh Mela dates with the names of the host cities.

Kumbh Mela Dates 2013 (Allahabad)

         The Maha Kumbh Mela to be held in Allahabad (Prayag) in the year 2013 will commence from 27th of January and will continue till 25th of February. Below is a table mentioning the important dates of Maha Kumbh Mela 2013:

Date (2013)       Day             Event

27th January      Sunday          Paush Purnima
6th February     Wednesday    Ekadashi Snan
10th February    Sunday          Mauni Amavasya Snan (Main Bathing Day)
15th February    Friday           Basant Panchami Snan
17th February    Sunday          Rath Saptami Snan
18th February    Monday        Bhisma Ashtami Snan
25th February    Monday        Maghi Purnima Snan

Kumbh Mela Dates 2015 (Nasik)
          The Kumbh Mela to be held in Nasik in the year 2015 will commence on 14th July and will continue for a year, ending on 11th August 2016. Below is a table mentioning the important dates of the Kumbh Mela to be held in Nasik in 2015:

Date (2015)      Day                Event

14th July            Tuesday           Flag hoisting of the main ceremony at Ram Kunda

14th August       Friday              Flag hoisting of the Akhara at Sadhugram

29th August       Saturday          First Shahi Snan

13th September Sunday            Second Shahi Snan

18th September Friday              Third Shahi Snan

On 11th August 2016 the Kumbh Mela will end with the flag lowering ceremony.

Kumbh Mela Dates 2016 (Ujjain)
          The Maha Kumbh Mela to be held in Ujjain in the year 2016 will commence on 22nd of April and will end on 21st of May 2016.

How to Reach Allahabad

           The next Maha Kumbh Mela will be held in Allahabad in the year 2013, from 27th January to 25th February. Allahabad, also known by the ancient name of Prayag, is the second oldest city in India and is revered as one of the most holy places for the Hindus. The amalgamation of three great rivers of India - Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythological Saraswati, happens here; and the point where these three meet is known as Sangam. Being an important religious, educational, and administrative center of India, Allahabad is well connected to all the major cities of India via Air, Rail, and Road. If you are looking forward to being a part of this grand gathering of millions of living souls, then brief information on how to reach Allahabad for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2013 is given below.

Travelling to Allahabad

By Air
The Allahabad Domestic Airport, also known as Bamrauli Air Force Base, is 12 Km from Allahabad and though it is operational for domestic flights, it serves only a limited number of cities in India. Other two nearest airports from Allahabad are Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport in Varanasi (150 Km) and Amausi International Airport in Lucknow (200 Km). Both these airports are well connected to rest of the major cities of India. Daily flights from major airlines like Air India, Air India Express, GoAir, IndiGo, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines, and Spice Jet are available. Local cabs and Interstate buses can be boarded from near the airports to reach Allahabad.

By Rail
Being the headquarters of the North Central Railway Zone in India, Allahabad has eight railway stations within its city limits, all of which are well connected to many of the major cities of India namely - Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Bhopal, Gwalior, Jaipur etc. Cabs, Auto Rickshaws, and City buses are available near all the railway stations to reach your onward destination.

By Road
As Allahabad is located in the heartland of the great Indian plains, the road density is quite high in these parts and is well connected to rest of the country via National and State Highways. The NH2 runs right through the city while NH27 starts from Allahabad and ends at Mangawan in Madhya Pradesh. NH96 connects to NH28 in Faizabad and brings together two major centers of Hindu Pilgrimage - Allahabad and Ayodhya. The three bus stands of Allahabad cater to different routes of the country through interstate bus services. Local transportation like tourist taxis, cabs, auto rickshaws, and local buses are also available that connects you to various parts of Allahabad and some neighboring cities.

Distance from Major Cities of India
Agra 433 KM
Kanpur 200 KM
Ayodhya 167 KM
Mumbai 1444 KM
Lucknow 204 KM
Kolkata 799 KM
Chennai 1790 KM
Patna 368 KM
Trivandrum 2413 KM
Delhi 643 KM
Udaipur 956 KM
Varanasi 125 KM
Jaipur 673 KM
 
Allahabad Map

            Allahabad, also known by its ancient name Prayag, is the second oldest city in India and is located in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. Enrooted deep in history, the place has many a mentions in the sacred religious texts on India. It's this history that makes it a tourist's delight with many places to visit; the most famous among them being Sangam. Also known as Triveni Sangam, the site is the confluence of three of the most sacred rivers - Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. It is near the banks of this convergence that millions gather to be a part of the Kumbh Mela. Apart from hosting the Kumbh Mela (next to be held in 2013), it is also a home to many a monuments and other tourist attractions enriched with history that defines the country of India. When here, during the Kumbh or otherwise, make sure you also visit the attractions like Allahabad Fort, Patalpuri Temple, Asoka Pillar, Akshaya Vat, Hanuman Mandir, Shankar Viman Mandapam, Mankameshwar Temple, Minto Park, Swaraj Bhawan and Anand Bhawan, Jawahar Planetarium, Allahabad Museum, Muir College, Company Bagh, Khusro Bagh, Mayo Memorial Hall etc.

           Apart from these attractions, which have also been mentioned in brief in one of the sections "Allahabad Tourist Attractions", there are also a few other attractions located around Allahabad that can be visited for their heritage and legacy. Among them, Bhita, an archeological site located on the banks of river Yamuna housing the ruins of an ancient city from 300 BC is definitely a place to be for the history lovers. There is also a place called Jhusi, known for its collection of ashrams and temples. Last but not the least, Kaushambi, one of the greatest Buddhist centers (Lord Buddha is believed to have visited the place twice to deliver discourses), housing an old ruined monastery and an ancient fort; and Shringverpur, a related legend of which tells that Lord Rama stayed here for the night before setting foot into the forest, are also there to make the visit to Allahabad all the more worthwhile. And to make access easy to all these locations, we have provided the map of Allahabad for you that will also help you make your way through the roads, and locate public amenities like Banks, ATMs, and Hospitals etc. Stick to the map and have a wonderful visit to Allahabad and a few attractions around it.


God always with us, in us and bless us!
Aravindam