The Spiritul Maha Kumbh Mela In India
Even UNESCO could never ignore the quality, the never-ending divine beauty & the humanity of this place & therefore, in December 2017, UNESCO included this hopeful Maha Kumbh Mela on its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.
Where is the Kumbh Mela Held?
The Mela considers place on a rotational base in four of the holiest Hindu places in India — on the banks of spectacular Godavari river in Nashik, the Shipra river in Ujjain, the Ganges river in Haridwar & the confluence of these Ganges, Yamuna, & mythical Saraswati rivers in Allahabad/Prayag. The confluence of these rivers is related to the Sangam.
When is the Kumbh Mela Held?
In each location once each 12 years. Theoretically, it should happen every three years in a strange place. However, the specific time and place of the festival depend on astrological plus religious considerations. This means that the Mela sometimes appears only a year apart at the various sites.
There is also a Kumbh Mela, which is held once every 12 years. Within, the sixth year, the Ardh Kumbh Mela (half mela) takes place. In addition, in Allahabad, every year the Maagh Mela is observed in the month of Maagh at the Sangam. This Maagh Mela is related to the Ardh Kumbh Mela and Kumbh Mela when it happens in the sixth also twelfth years, respectively.
The Maha Kumbh Mela is supposed to be the most auspicious mela. It always occurs in Allahabad, as the meeting of the rivers there is considered to be particularly holy. The Ardh Kumbh Mela occurs in both Allahabad & Haridwar.
What Rituals are Performed at the Kumbh Mela?
The main ceremony is the ritual bath. Hindus believe that submerging themselves in these sacred waters on the various auspicious day of the new moon will release them and their ancestors of sin, thus ending the cycle of rebirth. Pilgrims begin lining up to bathe at around 3 a.m. on that day.
The Nagas usually lead, while each group seeks to outdo the others by more grandeur and fanfare. The moment is magical, also everyone is absorbed in it.
After bathing, the travelers wear fresh clothes and proceed to worship by the river bank. They then walk around listening to lectures from the various sadhus.
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