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