Kumbh Mela is one of the most significant Hindu festivals, celebrated every 12 years, which attracts millions of devotees from around the world. The mythological significance of Kumbh Mela is rooted in Hindu mythology, particularly in the story of the churning of the ocean of milk, known as the Samudra Manthan.
Kumbh significance
According to Hindu mythology, the gods (Devas) and demons (Asuras) collaborated to churn the ocean of milk to produce the nectar of immortality, Amrita. The churning process was so intense that it created a massive oceanic whirlpool, and four precious objects emerged from the depths:
1. Kamadhenu: The divine cow that grants wishes.
2. Lakshmi: The goddess of wealth and prosperity.
3. Chandra: The moon god.
4. Amrita Kalasha: The pot of nectar.
As the gods and demons fought over the Amrita Kalasha, four drops of the nectar spilled onto the earth at four different locations:
1. Prayag (Allahabad): Where the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers meet.
2. Haridwar: Where the Ganges River flows.
3. Ujjain: On the banks of the Shipra River.
4. Nashik: On the banks of the Godavari River.
Why Kumbh Mela is celebrated every 12 years?
To commemorate the spill of the Amrita, Kumbh Mela is celebrated at these four locations over a course of 12 years, which is the time it takes for Jupiter (Brihaspati) to complete one orbit around the Sun.
The 12-year cycle is also linked to the Hindu calendar, which is based on the lunar cycle. The Kumbh Mela is celebrated when the planet Jupiter is in the zodiac sign of Aquarius (Kumbha) and the Sun is in the zodiac sign of Aries (Mesha). This rare celestial alignment occurs every 12 years, marking the beginning of the Kumbh Mela.
The Celebration of Kumbh Mela
The festival is a celebration of the divine nectar's power to grant spiritual enlightenment and liberation. During Kumbh Mela, devotees gather to:
- Take a holy dip in the sacred rivers.
- Participate in spiritual discourses and rituals.
- Seek blessings from sadhus and sages.
- Engage in charitable activities and self-reflection.
Each site’s celebration is based on a distinct set of astrological positions of the Sun, the Moon, and the Jupiter. The celebrations occur at the exact moment when these positions are fully occupied, as it is considered to be the holiest time in Hinduism.
During the Kumbh Mela, a number of ceremonies take place; the traditional procession of Akharas called ‘Peshwai’ on elephant backs, horses and chariots, the shining swords and rituals of Naga Sadhus during ‘Shahi Snaan’, and many other cultural activities that attract millions of pilgrims to attend the Kumbh Mela.
The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is going to be held at Prayagraj from January 13th, 2025 to February 26th, 2025.
