“Kumbh Mela", INDIA

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On 14^th of January, 2013, the festival of “Makar Sankranti” is observed through out India. The said festival is celebrated in all the major states of India and is often called by different names in local languages. This brief write up is regarding the human congregation that is taking place at Allahabad for Holy Bath at different respective dates.

In India, the city of Allahabad is gearing to host the biggest congregation of Hindus as well as humanity, on the occasion of great “Kumbh Mela’. The earlier Kumbh Mela which organized during 2001 recorded more than 70 Million Religious visitors who took part in this pilgrimage.

This year preparations by government agencies is at brisk pace, a new town gets developed on the occasion of kumbh Mela. A mammoth task performed by both people and administration on this occasion.

First let me write in brief about “Kumbh or Kumbh Mela”

The literal meaning of the term “Kumbh” is a pitcher, but the uses and its meaning has been described differently. In Hindu mythology pitcher is often referred as ‘kalash’ & is an integral part in our daily life in all sacred religious activities in Hindu culture, and hence this pitcher is a symbolic reflection of dynamic life form within a frame work or perimeter as “Kumbh”.

As per the Holy Scriptures it is stated that in a ‘pitcher’ or ‘kalash’, its mouth generally symbolizes the presence of Vishnu, its neck that of Rudra and the base of Brahama. Not only is that, all goddesses in the center and the entire oceans as in its interior, thus encompassing the major prophecies of all the four Vedas. This is the major view in establishing the significance of the Kumbh.

As such Kumbh is the confluence of all our cultures. It is the symbol of spiritual awakening. It is the eternal flow of humanity. It is the flow of life itself. It is the symbol of the confluence of nature and humanity both at the confluence of three major Rivers at Allahabad namely River Ganga, River Yamuna and River Saraswati.

Kumbh is the source of celestial energy. Kumbh makes human kind realize and understand the present world and the other which is beyond human reasoning. It is the sins, blessings, wisdom, ignorance, darkness as well as light. These Holy Rivers are the symbols of the lyrical flow of life giving humanity. Rivers are indicators of the flow of water also life in the human body.

Major Significant Days During The Kumbh Mela are as follows:-

Ø  Makar Sankranti A Holy bath at this occasion has special significance. Religious Pilgrims taking a holy bath at Kumbh acquire pious credits.

Ø  Paush Purnima The day occurs when the moon is full in the Hindu month of Paush. This is the last full moon of winter season. The sadhu and hundreds of thousands of religious pilgrims do take deep bath at the confluence of three rivers at Allahabad, Kumbh Mela.

Ø  Mauni Amavasya Snan For the holy men and women, this is the main bathing day. New members to various holy monastic orders receive their first initiation on this day.

Ø  Basant Panchami Snan This is the fifth day of the luminous half of the lunar month and is the beginning of spring in North India. Holy bath at the river has its importance.

Ø  Rath Saptami Snan Rath Saptami festival is observed on the seventh day of Shukla Paksha in the Magh Month (January – February) in the traditional Hindu calendar. Bathing on this day at Allahabad has its own significance.

Ø  Bhishma Ekadasi Snan On this day, Bhishma Pithamaha, the oldest, wisest, most powerful and most righteous person belonging to the Kuru dynasty (approx. over 5000 years ago), narrated the greatness of Lord Krishna through Sri Vishnu Sahasranama to Yudhishtira, the oldest brother of Pandavas. Hence, bathing on this day at Allahabad has its own significance.

The official dates as per the Hindu Calander for holy Bath is as given:-

ü 14 January 2013 (Monday) – Makar Sankranti

ü 27 January 2013 (Sunday) – Paush Purnima

ü 6 February 2013 (Wednesday) – Ekadashi Snan

ü 10 February 2013 (Sunday) – Mauni Amavasya Snan (Main Bathing Day)

ü 15 February 2013 (Friday) – Basant Panchami Snan

ü 17 February 2013 (Sunday) – Rath Saptami Snan

ü 21 February 2013 (Thursday) – Bhisma Ekadashi Snan

ü 25 February 2013 (Monday) – Maghi Purnima Snan