Kumbh Mela in Haridwar Starts From 14 January 2010

Haridwar is one of India's top spiritual destinations, a holy wish ceremony is held along the banks of the Ganges River. This attractive ceremony creates a warm color as small candles are floated down the river. Coupled with the clanking of bells, chanting of mantras and enthusiastic crowd, it's extremely moving.

Kumbh Mela is a mass pilgrimage centered on the ritual of waterside bathing, it is variously called the ‘the Biggest Indian Bathing Festival’.

The 2010 Maha Kumbh Mela will be held at Haridwar in the foothills of the Himalayas. Haridwar is regarded as one of the seven holiest places to the Indians. The Holy river Ganga transverses the Himalayas to enter the Plains of North India for the 1^st time at Haridwar and this are what gave the city its very old name, Gangadwara (the place where the Ganges descends to the plains). Millions of people contribute in Kumbh Mela in Haridwar

What is the Legend behind the Kumbh Mela?

Kumbh means pitcher or pot. Mela means fair or festival. Hence, the Kumbh Mela means fair of the pot. It exclusively relates to the pot of nectar in Hindu mythology.

Legend has it that the gods once misplaced their strength. In order to get back it, they agreed with the demons to churn the primordial sea of milk for amrit (the nectar of immortality). This was to be divided equally between them. However, a fight broke-out, which went on for 12 human years. Throughout this battle, the celestial bird, Garuda, flew away with the Kumbh that held the nectar. Drops of nectar are believed to have fallen in the places that the Kumbh Mela is now held -- Haridwar, Prayag (Allahabad), Nashik and Ujjain.

What Rituals are performed at the Kumbh Mela?

The major ritual performed at that Kumbh Mela is the ritual bath. Hindus think that submerging themselves in the sacred waters on the luckiest day of the new moon will absolve them and their ancestors of sin, thus ending the cycle of new start. Pilgrims begin lining up to bathe from around 3 a.m. on this day.

As the sun rises, the different groups of sadhus move in procession towards the river to bathe. The Nagas generally lead, while each group tries to exceed the others with more grandeur and fanfare. The instant is magical, and everyone is absorbed in it.

After bathing, the pilgrims wear new clothes and go on to worship by the river bank. They then march around listening to discourses from the various sadhus.

Haridwar Kumbh Mela 2010 - Kumbh Mela 2010

Haridwar Kumbh Mela is one of the main and oldest religious gatherings held by Hindus believing that the waters of the Ganges River change into nectar on this auspicious occasion. People and Tourists from all over the world gather here for a holy dip in the divine water of Ganga as they trust it eliminates all the evil and earlier period sins from an individual's life.

Kumbh Mela Location

The Kumbh Mela is held on a rotating basis in 4 of the most holy Hindu places in India…on the banks of the Shipra River in Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh), Godavari River in Nashik (Maharastra), the Ganges River in Haridwar (Uttarakhand), and convergence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers in Allahabad and Prayag (Uttar Pradesh). The Kumbh Mela is held in each place once every 12 years

Kumbh Mela 2010 at Haridwar

Soon, the complete holy town of Haridwar would be reverberating with Vedic chants and temple bells. Rishis, Sadhus and yogis would over pack Haridwar. Pilgrims and devotees would be full of activity taking a sacred dip in the divine waters of the Ganges and observing rites and rituals. Thus one can experience the most surreal scenes on the riverbanks of the Ganges throughout Kumbh Mela. From dawn till dusk, rites and rituals carry on.

Kumbh Mela Pilgrims Tour:

Naga Babas, a big attraction for all, keep themselves full of activity meditating and practicing different yogic positions. These Naga Babas remain naked, through long matted hair and the body smeared in ashes. It is interesting to observe that the extremities of weather do not affect them.

Urdhwavahurs sadhus - who believe in observing self mortification, Sadhus of the Parivajakas sects who observe total silence. In arrange to clear the way, they do not say a word but tinkle little bells.

Shrishasins - who keep themselves in the standing pose round the clock. They remain full of activity meditating standing upside down.

Kalpvasis - Who remain by the river banks and performing rituals and bathing numerous times a day and devote their time to meditating.

Sacred bathing at the Kumbh Mela:

The most important ritual of the Kumbh Mela in India is the ceremonial dip in the water. The Hindus think that a bath in the holy waters will cleanse them and their sin and ancestor’s evil. This would make sure their salvation or moksha from the cycle of life, rebirth and death. Ritual bathing is done in the open on the banks of river with whole submergence of the body under water and an oblation to the sun. The most favorable day for the ritual bath at Kumbh is on the day of the new moon. Pilgrims begin lining up to bathe from around 3 a.m. on this day. After bathing, the pilgrims wear fresh clothes and go on to worship by the river bank. They then walk around listening to discussions from the various sadhus.

Bathing Dates throughout Kumbh Mela 2010

14 January, 2010 Makar Sankranti

15 January, 2010 Mauni Aamavasya - Suryagrahan Snan

20 January, 2010 Basant Panchami

30 January, 2010 Maagh Purnima

12 February, 2010 Shre Maha Shivratri Shahi Snan

15 March, 2010 Somawati Aamavasya Shahi Snan

16 March, 2010 Navsamvarambh Snan

24 March, 2010 Shree Ramnavami Snan

30 March, 2010 Chaitra Purnima (Parv Snan)

14 April, 2010 Mesha Sankranti Shahi Snan - Mukhya Snan Parv

28 April, 2010 Vaisakh Aadhimaas Purnima Snan

Therefore all of India's saints, mendicants, fakirs and sages come out of their caves to celebrate the Kumbh Mela. Kumbh Mela is the thus, the main religious gathering of humanity on the earth with a distinct amalgamation of religion and socio cultural significance.