Upcoming Kumbh Mela

KUMB MELA



Kumb Mela in 1850


Kumbh Mela is a mass Hindu pilgrimage. It occurs four times every twelve years and rotates among four locations: Allahabad (Prayag) at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna and mythical Saraswati river, Haridwar along the Ganga river, Ujjain along the Kshipra river and Nashik along the Godavari river.

The Maha Kumbh Mela ('Great' Kumbh Mela) which comes after 12 'Purna Kumbh Melas' which is after every 144 years is also held at Allahabad .The 2001, Maha Kumbh Mela was attended by around 60 million people, making it the largest gathering anywhere in the world .

According to Indian astrology, it is celebrated when the planet of Brihaspati (Jupiter) moves into the zodiac sign of Aquarius or Kumbha . Each sites celebration dates are calculated in advance according to a special combination of zodiacal positions of Sun, Moon, and Jupiter.

According to Paramahansa Yogananda in his work the Autobiography of a Yogi, it was on the Kumbha Mela in January 1894 at Allahabad that his Guru Sri Yukteswar met Mahavatar Babaji for the first time

 

In 2001, Kumbhmela was held in Allahabad. It is estimated that about 16 million people took a bath in the river Ganges on the occasion. It was extraordinary in terms of arrangement and discipline

 

 

 

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. Some 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

 

Upcoming Kumbh Mela

 

Haridwar (the gateway to God) will host the Purna Kumbha mela in the year 2010 (March-April)

 

The Purna Kumbha Mela will again be held at Allahabad (Prayag) in the year 2013 (January 27 to February 25)

 

Nasik will host the Ardha Kumbha Mela in 2015 (August 15 to September 13)

 

Ujjan Ardha Kumbh Mela 2016 (April 22 to May 21)