"If there is one place on the face of earth where all the dreams of living men have found a home from the very earliest days when man began the dream of existence, it is India!"
It is even more than a blessing to be born in a land with such rich cultures and traditions, the oldest civilizations and our “Sone ki chidiyan”. The vitals include manners, beliefs, traditions, faith and, what’s an Indian not knowing these about our holy “land of temples”.
Did you know? India hosts the world’s largest cultural and religious human gathering! Any guesses of what it could be?
It’s the world famous “Kumbh Mela” which has been included in the UNESCO's representative list 'Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity'.
Just to blow off your mind,
Kumbh was last held at Prayagraj or Teerthraj (“The place of sacrifice and offering”), a city in Uttar Pradesh at the Triveni Sanngam, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers which saw a footfall of over 24 crore devotees!
Now, let’s dig deep and see when can you be a part of this majestic festival.
Kumbh mela is held every 12 years at these four different locations.
1)Haridwar (river Ganga)
2)Prayag (Triveni sangam of Yamuna, Ganga and Saraswati)
3)Ujjain (river Kshipra)
4)Nasik (river Godavari)
The next Kumbh Mela would be held at Haridwar in 2021 (well, time to get the tickets done). But, the maha kumbh mela which is held only at Prayagraj returns after 144 years or 12 “Purna kumbh” melas. The one held at Prayajraj in 2019 was an “ardh kumbh mela” which happens after every six years at only Haridwar and Prayagraj. While, the “Purna Kumbh” rotates every 12 years at these 4 places. The years are decided according to the Hindu luni-solar calendar ( The positioning of different planets in the solar system).
Said all this, Why do you think it’s celebrated?
The story of Samudramanthan !
The ocean churning was done by the gods and the demons to avail the nectar of immortality. With the gods on one side and demons on the other, mountain Mandrachala as the churning stick beneath which sat lord Vishnu in the form of a tortoise ,preventing the mountain from sinking and Nagraja Vasuki as the rope. The first to emerge in this churning was a venomous poison which was consumed by the Lord Shiva. The churning continued and poured fourth a number of treasures and gifts one of which was Amrit. The demons Rahu and Ketu disguised themselves as gods and drank it. While, the sun and moon saw this and complained to Vishnu who severed their heads with his Sudarshan Chakra. The divine nectar had reached only their heads.
Further, a great war between the gods and the demons followed. Finally, Vishnu disguised as the enchanting Mohini tricked the demons and recovered the nectar. Which he gave to Garuda, his winged charioteer. But, the demons caught up and a tussle followed. Garuda kept on running for 12 days (12 year for gods) to avoid amrit kalasha to fall in the hands of demons. During this, few drops of amrit fell at the places Ujjain, Nasik, Prayagraj, and Haridwar and is believed to have granted mystical powers to these places. This is the reason Kumbh mela is organised here.
Fulfilling and deep as our Hindu culture is. But, what’s it that attracts people from all round the world to be a part of this? A gathering that breaks all the narrow boundaries of age, nationality, caste, sex, religion.
The sanctity of our holy rivers!
Ganges, the holiest river in the world. It is belief ( even mention in various religious texts and books such as the “gospel of sri Ramakrishna”) that an ablution in this “Water Marvel” can help you get rid of all the past sins and facilitates Moksha or liberation from the cycle of life and death. The water of the holy Maa Ganga is believed to carry phenomenal powers to restore and rejuvenate atma-shakthi to one who is in a weakened state.
And oh! Apart from this sacred bath how can you miss meeting the “Divine Souls”, the Sadhus. The continuous chanting of the Hindu mantras, the tranquillity of the sangam, Experiencing life in a tent. The opportunity to find oneself!! Where else would you find a festival celebrated with such zeal, fervour, and sanctity ! Yes, this is the unbeatable Sanatan Dharma and we are proud to be born in its cradle. Hindustan !!
By - Adwiti Bishwanath
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