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Sunday, January 13, 2013

Kumbh Mela - biggest religious gathering in the world


Kumbh Mela is a mass Hindu Pilgrimage in which Hindus gather at the Ganges,River Godavari and River Kshipra, where bathing for purification from sin.

The Ardh (half) Kumbh Mela is celebrated every six years at Haridwar and Allaahabad, the Purna (complete) Kumbh takes place every twelve years, at four places Allahabad,Haridwar,Ujjain and Nasik. The Maha (great) Kumbh Mela which comes after 12 'Purna Kumbh Melas', or 144 years, is held at Allahabad

In 2001, more than 40 million people gathered on the main bathing day at Allahabad, breaking a world record for the biggest human gathering.

In 2007,around 70 million people participated in the 45-day Ardh Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.

Next Maha Kumbh Mela will start on Jan 27,2013 at Allahabad


Venues

Year
Allahabad
Nasik
Ujjain
Haridwar
1983
Ardh Kumbh
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1986
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Kumbh
1989
Kumbh
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1991
---------
Kumbh
---------
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1992
---------
---------
Kumbh
Ardh Kumbh
1995
Ardh Kumbh
---------
---------
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1998
---------
---------
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Kumbh
2001
Kumbh
---------
---------
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2003
---------
Kumbh
---------
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2004
---------
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Kumbh
Ardh Kumbh
2007
Ardh Kumbh
---------
---------
---------
2010
---------
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Kumbh
2013
Maha Kumbh
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 Kumbh Mela in Haridwar




 

Kumbh Mela in Ujjain


 

 

Kumbh Mela in Nasik

 

 

 

 

 

Kumbh Mela in Allahabad











Timing of Celebration
Kumbh Mela is celebrated at different locations depending on the position of the planet of Brhaspati(Jupiter)  and the sun. Each site's celebration dates are calculated in advance according to a special combination of zodiacal positions of Sun, Moon, and Jupiter.


  • When Jupiter and the sun are in the zodiac sign Leo (Simha Rashi) it is held in Trimbakeshwar, Nashik
  • When the sun is in Aries (Mesha Rashi) it is celebrated at Haridwar
  •  When Jupiter is in Taurus (Vrishabha Rashi ) and the sun is in Capricorn (Makar Rashi) Kumbha Mela is celebrated at Prayag  and 
  • When Jupiter and the sun are in Scorpio (Vrishchik Rashi) the Mela is celebrated at Ujjain

The Ritual
The major event of the festival is Ritual Bathing at the banks of the river in whichever town it is being held -
  • Ganga in Haridwar
  • Godawari in Nasik
  • Kshipra in Ujjain and
  • Sangam (confluence of Ganga,Yamuna and Saraswati) in Prayag(Allahabad)































































                          









































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