Kumbh Mela has achieved international popularity as "The biggest act of faith."

Millions of pilgrims come to participate in the holy event of Kumbh with a tremendous faith. They have a "persistent trust in something sublime". Last Kumbh in Haridwar was visited by about 15 million people in 48 hours on main Kumbh Lagan on the 13th and 14th of April.  

The pilgrims come from all walks of life, with a belief that their sins will be washed off in the holy waters of the sacred river Ganges if they take a dip during the Kumbh but the actual and more science based reasons are different. It is actually the position of stars and constellations during the Kumbh that makes it significant to take a dip in the river at that time. Actually Kumbh Mela takes place during an auspicious planetary position that is believed to medicate the Ganges waters with a concentration of certain rays due to their position and turn the river into nectar. Millions of devotees arrive to purify their inner self through holy bathing rituals. ( Possibly a lot of skin diseases are cured during that time ).  

The glowing hindu saints from Himalayas, sages, seers, sadhus, and yogis ( All synonyms for holy hindu men ) make their rare appearance at the Kumbh Mela.  

To watch the Kumbh Mela processions is to witness the spectacle of the march of the ages. As the holy saints ( some coming from nude sects ) pass by on their various rides -- elephants, horses, palanquins, chariots, cars, and camels -- they are continually spreading waves of powerful shakti (energy) to all the people who witness this awe-inspiring and most auspicious event. Devotees are besieged by the conspicuous spiritual vibrations that saturate the entire atmosphere. 

While the parade of saints marches towards the Ganges River, the sounds baffle all description -- the shout and cries of ash-smeared sadhus mingle with the neighing of horses, trumpeting of elephants, grunting of camels, bellowing of bulls. Gongs and drums beat, trumpets blare, conch shells blow and bells ring. In the midst of this cacophony, musicians and dancers perform. 

The Kumbh Mela is held at Haridwar in Phalgun and Chaitra (February/March/April). The Last Kumbh at Haridwar was in the year 1998. 

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

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Position of Planets

The most popular mythological Story Behind Kumbh: 

Kumbh's history originates from the beginning of the Creation of universe. All devtas( Gods) were under the influence of a curse that made them weak and coward, Brahma, (the creator God) advised them to churn the ocean for Amrit (Nectar), intake of which will make them immortal, the devtas sough the help of demons for the purpose. Gods and demons made a temporary agreement to work together in obtaining amrita (the nectar of immortality) from the Milky Ocean, and to share this equally. The Mandara Mountain was used as a 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, they churned the ocean for 1,000 years. However, Dhanwantari, the divine healer, appeared with the "Kumbh" containing nectar in his palms, when the Kumbha (pot) containing the amrita appeared, the demons ran away with the pot and were chased by the gods. By their joint churning Amrit was one of the resultants, found in the last. For twelve days and twelve nights (equivalent to twelve human years) the gods and demons fought in the sky for the possession of this pot of amrita. In the end the demons started winning and to save the Kumbh ( pot of nector ) gods ran away with it and moved around almost all over the earth. During this run and chase they kept the kumbh at four places Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik. It is said that during all this, drops of amrita fell on to four places:. The Kumbha mela is observed at these four locations where the nectar fell. 

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The Kumbh Melas: 

• Maha Kumbh Mela - occurring every 144 years - only in Allahabad
• Purna Kumbh Mela - after every twelve years - last one took place in January 2001 in Allahabad
• Ardh Kumbh - 6th year after Kumbh Mela
• Kumbh Mela - every 12 years, at each place : Prayag, Nasik, Haridwar and Ujjain
• Magh Mela - Annual, held every year except years of Kumbh Mela and Ardh Kumbh Mela Held in Magh (Jan-Feb); hence the name. Always in Allahabad

Upcoming Kumbh Mela

• Haridwar (the gateway to God) will host the Kumbha mela in the year 2010 (Jan-April)
• Allahabad (Prayag) Maha Kumbh Mela 2013 (January 27th to February 25th)
• The Maha Kumbha Mela will again be held at Allahabad (Prayag) in the year 2013.
• Nasik Maha Kumbh Mela 2015 (August 15th to September 13th)
• Nasik will host the Maha Kumbha Mela in 2015
• Ujjan Maha Kumbh Mela 2016 ( April 22nd to may 21st)

For a Kumbh Mela tour package of the 2010 Haridwar Ardh Kumbh Mela contact us at