| The Kumbh is an extremely sacred and popular Hindu | | | | interesting to note that the venue of the Ardh |
| festival in India which attracts people from all parts | | | | Kumbh is based on the planetary position of the Sun, |
| of the country. Steeped in culture and tradition, the | | | | the moon and Jupiter. |
| Hindu religion has festivals for almost every occasion. | | | | It is interesting to note that if the Kumbh at |
| In fact, these festivals are a perfect instance of | | | | Allahabad happens to be on a Monday, then it is |
| unity among diversity. The festivals form an integral | | | | called ‘Somvati Amavasya’. In this case, |
| constituent of our art, music and architecture. It | | | | the spiritual advantage of the Kumbh increases |
| casts an immense impact on our literature as well. | | | | immensely. According to the legend in the Puranas, a |
| It is a common feature in India that the places of | | | | war broke out between the Gods and the Demons in |
| pilgrimage are usually located in the mountains or | | | | order to seize the pot which contained the holy |
| dense forested areas or even, on the banks of | | | | ‘amrit’ or nectar. However, the Demons |
| rivers. The word ‘Kumbh’ literally means | | | | managed to run away with the ‘amrit’. |
| ‘Pitcher’ and ‘Ardh | | | | During their flight, few drops of the holy nectar fell |
| Kumbh’ means ‘Half Pitcher’.Both | | | | on 4 places of the earth. These 4 places eventually |
| are human fairs in which, millions of people participate | | | | became the venues of the Mela. |
| from all over the world. People attend this fair on the | | | | When the fair is held at Nasik and Ujjain, it is known |
| banks of the holy rivers; Ganga, Yamuna and | | | | as ‘Simhastha Kumbh’. This is due to |
| Saraswati in Allahabad. The confluence these 3 rivers | | | | the location of the planet Jupiter in the |
| at Prayag is considered holy by the Hindus. | | | | ‘Simha’ (Leo) constellation. At Prayag, it |
| Ardh Kumbh and Kumbh has a mythological | | | | is known as ‘Vrishastha’ (i.e. when |
| background to its credit. People take a holy bathe in | | | | Jupiter is in Taurus). When Jupiter is in Aquarius, it is |
| these rivers. They believe that by doing this, they will | | | | known as ‘Kumbhastha’ and the venue |
| be purged out from their sins. This is the reason why | | | | is at Haridwar.During the Ardh Kumbh, the |
| people come to the Ardh Kumbh even when | | | | ‘sadhus’ (Indian sages) go to Ujjain |
| transportation is a major problem and the | | | | along with their ‘Akharas’. The interval |
| temperatures are unbearably cold. Maha Kumbh, also | | | | between the ‘Simhastha Kumbh’ at |
| known as Poorna Kumbh, is held after every 12 | | | | Nasik and Ujjain is usually one year. |
| years at Haridwar, Prayag, Ujjain and Nashik. It is | | | | |