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	----------	--------	--------
1986	---------	----------	--------	Kumbh
1989	Kumbh	---------	---------	---------
1991	---------	Kumbh	---------	---------
1992	---------	---------	Kumbh	Ardh Kumbh
1995	Ardh Kumbh	---------	---------	---------
1998	---------	---------	---------	Kumbh
2001	Kumbh	---------	---------	---------
2003	---------	Kumbh	---------	---------
2004	---------	---------	Kumbh	Ardh Kumbh
2007	Ardh Kumbh	---------	---------	---------
2010	---------	---------	---------	Kumbh
2013	Maha Kumbh	---------	---------	---------

 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)