Kumbh Mela is held at each of the four places namely Haridwar, Allahabad (Prayag), Nasik and Ujjain once in every 12 years. It is known to be a time when spiritual energy travels all around the place during this holy event. It’s a social harmony where you get to see many saints and sadhakas gathering at one place. This event even gives you the chance of seeking the blessings of these pious saints. The position of the Sun, Moon and Jupiter in different zodiac signs determines the location of the Kumbh in each of these places.
Ujjain, one of the most sacred places in India, is located on the banks of the holy Kshipra river in the western region of Madhya Pradesh. Kumbh in Ujjain is held when a rare configuration of planets takes place which happens once in 12 years. When the Sun is in the zodiac sign Aries and Jupiter in the zodiac Leo, it is held in Ujjain. Considering its relevance to the zodiac Leo meaning “Simha” in Sanskrit, the Kumbh is also referred to as “Simhastha Kumbh” or “Simhastha Kumbh Mahaparv.” “Kumbh” in its literal English translation means “jar”, which emerged from the “Samudra Manthan”(Churning of the Ocean) between Gods and Devils. Legend has it that the churning of ocean by the Gods and demons yielded a jar (Kumbh) full of Amrit (nectar). Gods did not wish to share it with demons. At the instance of Lord Indra, the King of Gods, his son Jayanta tried to run away with the jar, but he was followed by some of the demons.
During the struggle for its possession, a few drops of the nectar dropped at four places corresponding with Haridwar, Allahabad (Prayag), Ujjain and Nasik on earth. The drops of nectar were well received by the holy rivers at these places.
It is the great bathing festival which sees lakhs of devotees coming together from across the world to celebrate this month-long congregation. The ceremonial bathing takes place in the holy Kshipra river on the full moon day of Chaitra month and continues in different intervals during the entire month of Vaishakh, culminating on the tenth full moon day. Sadhus are seen clad in saffron robes with Vibhuti ashes smeared on their skin as per the requirements of ancient traditions. Some, called naga sanyasis, may not wear any cloth even in severe winter. It is considered a sign of separation from the materialistic world.
PM to release ‘Simhastha Declaration’: chouhan Indore: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the “Simhastha Declaration” next year on 14 May at the end of the three-day “Conference on Different Religions” during the run-up to the Simhastha Kumbh at Ujjain. Chouhan was talking to media persons at the end of the 3rd International Dharma Conference at Brilliant Convention Centre here on 27 October 2015. He said that it’s a tradition that Simhastha remains a “Kumbh” of people for thoughtful contemplation on issues of welfare and well being of the human kind. A report on the suggestions and findings of this conference would be prepared in the form of a booklet which would be circulated in the country. This would be used as the Base Declaration. Similarly, an international conference on world religion would be organised on 12, 13 and 14 May 2016, where from the three-day conference, an essence would be released by PM Modi as a “Simhastha Declaration”. Chouhan also announced that two centers would be established close to the Sanchi Buddhist University. The first would be the “Centre for Healing”, where one can learn how to feel happy and cope with dreaded illnesses. The second would be the “Centre for Alternate Learning”. A 20-acre land has been earmarked for the purpose and would be allotted to any country that wishes to open a learning centre of their religion.
VITAL STATS Festival duration: 30 days (22 April-21 May 2016) Tentative Area: Over 3,000 hectares Zones: Six zones and 22 sectors
- Advertisement -