Timing of kumbha
mela
Ardha
kumbha mela, HARIDWAR
The
Blissful Darshan
The
Mystics
Procession of Holy Saints
The
Atmosphere
The Legend
Prayag
Snan
Tent City
The Maha Kumbh Mela ("great festival of the pot
of nectar of immortality") is held every three years in each of four different
locations, returning to each of four places every twelve years. An Ardh (half)
Mela (festival) takes place six years after the Maha Kumbh in each location.
Kumbh Mela is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage and bathing festival that
takes place at the following 4 locations of India:
-
Prayag (near the city of Allahabad, in
the state of Uttar Pradesh) at the confluence of three rivers Ganga (Ganges),
Yamuna and Saraswati
-
Haridwar (in the state of Uttaranchal Pradesh) where the river
Ganga enters the plains from Himalayas.
-
Ujjain (in Madhya Pradesh), on the banks of Ksipra river.
-
Nasik (in Maharashtra) on the banks of Godavari river.
Dates for the Maha Kumbh Festival
(every 12 years in 4 locations)
-
The next Maha Kumbh Mela will be held April to May 2004
at Ujjain.
-
The next Ardh (half) Mela (festival) will be held Feb to
May 2004 at Haridwar.
-
In 2007 Maha Kumbh Mela will be held at Nashik in
Maharastra.
-
In 2010 Maha Kumbh Mela will be held at Haridwar in the
foothills of the Himalayas.
-
In 2013 Maha Kumbh Mela will be held in January and
February Allahabad (Prayag).
-
An Ardh (half) Kumbh Mela (festival) at Allahabad in 2007.
The basic point of the Kumbh Mela is for
pilgrims to bathe at certain sacred spots on certain auspicious days. A large
tented city is erected and pilgrims stay at tents owned by Pandas (religious and
spiritual guides) and at various ashrams. Others will just camp on the ground or
turn up for the actual bathing day. Certain of these bathing days are designated
"royal," and it is on these days that the naga sadhus (naked mendicants) parade
and bathe. On other days there will still be people bathing and other events and
random processions.
