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.