MAHA KUMBH FAIR 2010

The most awaited religious fair for the Hindus, Maha Kumbh, offers a one of a kind experience. Kumbh mela takes place in four destinations of the country namely Ujjain, Allahabad, Haridwar and Nasik, owing to the mythological significance that these places hold, with Allhabad being the most sacred destination and the only one where Maha Kumbh is held.

Prayag in Allahabad witnesses a gathering of millions of devotees from all over the world during the Maha Kumbh. These also include Naga Saints, Urdhwavahurs, Parivajaks, Shirshasins, Kalpvasis etc who believe in taking severe penance to reach their ultimate goal of salvation. One can see priests performing yagyas, bathing in the Triveni waters, saints having long matted hair and skin covered with ashes, meditating for long hours on their heads.

TIME AND DURATION:

Maha Kumbh takes place once in every 12 years, the next one lined up in 2013. The festival goes on for more than a month, with Amavasya being the most important day for the holy dip into the Triveni waters.

MYTHOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:

The origin of Kumbha Mela has been linked to the formation of the Universe with Samudra Manthan. It is believed that Gods were losing their powers, as a result of a curse, which made them lethargic and rendered them incapable. It was at this time that the creator of Universe, Lord Brahma, announced that only amrit or nector stored deep within the ocean can bring back their powers. For this, the Gods decided to churn the ocean using a mountain called Meru, as a churning stick and a snake named Vasuki, as a rope.

It was a tedious task which the Gods could not accomplish alone, so they decided to take the help of demons. They played a trick on them and promised them their share of nectar if they made their contribution. The demons agreed and as a result of the exercise, they successfully excavated nectar out of the ocean.

When Gods attempted to run with the amrit, demons fought for it, which led to falling of some drops of nectar on Earth at four places, namely Allahabad, Ujjain, Nasik and Haridwar, where Kumbh fair takes place every year. Gods drank the nectar but its droplets are still considered to be present in these sacred places, one of it being the Triveni waters of Allahabad.

RITUALS:

The site where the Maha Kumbh takes place, once in fourteen years, is called the Triveni Sangam, which is the point of confluence of the three most sacred rivers of India namely Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. The water is considered to have droplets of nectar that fell during the formation of Universe and it is a famous belief of the people that a bath in its waters can cure several diseases and can free humans from the cycle of birth and death. A scientific reason for the healing properties of the river waters in that during the time of Maha Kumbh, Triveni waters are positively charged by electromagnetic radiation of the Sun, Jupiter and Moon.

Apart from the most important ritual of the fair, the holy bath, devotees also engage themselves in singing devotional songs and participating in morning and evening artis. Feeding the priests, saints and the poor is also considered as a sacred exercise that purifies one's souls.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS:

Apart from the Kumbh and Maha Kumbh fairs that make Allahabad the holy place of attaining Moksha or Salvation, the city is dotted with some of the most important tourist attractions of Uttar Pradesh. Someshwar Temple, Hanuman Temple, Nagbasuki Temple and Patalpuri temple are the important Hindu temples located in the city. Allahabad Fort which dates back to the 16th century, is one of the best examples of Mughal forts. Anand Bhavan, with rich historical memoirs of the Nehru family and the Allahabad Museum with its archaeological jewels of the 3rd century AD can give the traveler an insight into the various layers of Indian history.

The most important dates are 14 Jan, 12 & 13 Feb, 15 Mar and 14 April 2010

Please read the important details - http://www.kumbh2010haridwar.gov.in/bathdates.htm