Hindu culture is an extension of mythology. Consequently, it has sailed through the years with its strong background of folklore. As Kumbh Mela is the consequence of an important mythological incident we will initiate some background depth on it.
To get to the depth of Kumbh Mela, you need to know about what it means! Kumbh is a pot that has sin clearing nectar and mela is quite a popular name in India which means public gathering. Subsequently when these both combine it forms Kumbh Mela- A union that is based on a fight incident in traditional Hinduism past which was quite powerful.
As today’s motive is to get you through the whole story of Kumbh Mela, an imprint on 5 W is important i.e. Why, What, When, Where, and Whom. Subsequently, by knowing 5 W you can become an encyclopedia of Kumbh.
Why This Practice?
The grounds of everything start with why and in context with Kumbh Mela it is crucial like set in stone. Like many mythological incidences, Kumbh Mela is what took birth from the fight of good and evil. There evolved a fight between gods and demons – who will get the emerged “Potion of nectar”.
The nectar was considered to be the doze of immortality and who doesn’t want that? When a war is fought for self-fulfillment, its result is mostly bad. And that’s what happened. Amidst the fight, the pot of nectar got spilled at 4 places and those places are considered to conduct Kumbh today.
Hindu culture sits mostly on the pillow of beliefs! Although some texts direct our mind towards this incident, there is not substance proof that a fight sequence ever happened. You can see some mentions in inscriptions of Magha Mela from which modern-day Kumbh is inspired.
What is This Amalgamation Of Thousands?
Kumbh is said to be an affair of washing sins in the river in case there exist any past bad deeds. Although Kumbh Mela was not started with this cause, earlier the cause was to get in the philosophical reality of Hinduism and to discuss what it constitutes.
Paul J. Meyer once quoted “Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort.” So to go with a similar motive many beings arrange for fairs, making a way for themselves to contribute in some way.
Also, humanity is not untouched from Kumbh Mela – “if you will ever go to Kumbh Mela you will see a sight of poor and monastics being fed”.
When Does This Auspicious Event Occur?
Astronomy roped the “when” of this event. Jupiter, the sun, and the moon play an important part in ascertaining the timing of kumbh gathering. As hit by astronomical figures, kumbh mela is celebrated once in 12 years.
To be precise, the gap between Prayagraj and Haridwar is an extended age of 6 years. The cycle marks the commencing of Ardh Kumbh and Maha Kumbh which you can convert as 50% and 100% arrangement.
Kumbh Mela is the giant of the events. Why we are saying that? First of all, is held for an exaggerated period of one to three months, and for that entire time, the pilgrim’s crowd is humungous. It’s just like watching bees in their hive.
Out of all the day’s people participate in Kumbh, it has contained the most of its visitors on the day of Amavasya which is again a sign of how much we are in awe of our stars and galaxy as a whole.
Next Kumbh Mela Dates
- 2021 Kumbh Mela – Haridwar (Uttarakhand) – 14 January to 27 April
- 2025 Kumbh Mela – Prayagra (Uttar Predesh) – Dates are not announced yet.
- 2027 Kumbh Mela – Nashik (Maharashtra) – Dates are not announced yet.
Here is details about Haridwar Kumbh Mela 2021 bathing dates.
After All Where Is Important!
As discussed earlier the nectar fell at four places and these places today are considered to be the place of substance to the sky. You will not be taken by surprise in knowing those places – Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. All these cities are most famous in their respected states for attracting millions of humans every year and boosting tourism.
Now we will bring rivers inside the conversation of Kumbh Mela. And why not? These rivers wash sins of travelers from around the world. These rivers are considered to be a synonym of “river” because whenever we think about rivers they pop into our heads – Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, and Shipra.
Whom – People Play Extra- Ordinary Part
At the end of the day, it’s the people that make Kumbh mela so special. In the past years, the number of pilgrims has rocketed.
The gathering is considered to be one of the best social gatherings, bringing a sense of peace to the whole country. It has brought peace because it sends out a message to unnecessary revolting powers in India – “How such a mass can gather without pyscheful tension”.
To be precise, if Kumbh Mela is what it is, all the credits go to its founding members and people who continued with this ritual. Otherwise, we couldn’t have sighted such a view of people.
Kumbh is in fact that popular that tourists come from different corners of the world because this event is tied with a band of trust and lots of belief.
If you have never been there, there is an implication that it should be a “MUST” in your bucket list of travel. Maybe you will end up liking it so much that you will mark your presence again.