Kumbh Mela

Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj 2019 stamp of India

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Sagar Manthan

Kumbh Mela 2019 - Crowd Near Shastri Bridge - Prayagraj, India

1674 CE Prayag Snana Vidhi, Puranas manuscript, Sanskrit, Devanagari sample i

Devotees at Kumbha

Ashoka pillar, Allahabad, c.1900

Kumbh Mela is a major pilgrimage and festival in Hinduism that is celebrated in a cycle of approximately 12 years at four river-bank pilgrimage sites: the Prayagraj (at the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati rivers), Haridwar (along the Ganges River), Nashik (on the banks of the Godavari River), and Ujjain (on the banks of the Shipra River). The festival is marked by a ritual dip in the waters, but it is also a celebration of community commerce with numerous fairs, education, religious discourses by saints, mass feedings of monks or the poor, and entertainment spectacle.

The origin of Kumbh Mela is found in Hindu mythology, which tells the story of a battle between the gods and demons over the nectar of immortality. During this battle, drops of the nectar fell on the four locations on Earth, giving them their sacred status. The name "Kumbh Mela" translates to "Festival of the Pot," referring to the pot of nectar.

History

The historical records regarding Kumbh Mela are sparse, but it is believed that the festival has been observed for at least 1,500 years. The Chinese traveler Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) mentioned a ritual organized by Emperor Shiladitya (identified with Harsha) at the confluence of two rivers, that is believed to be an early reference to the Kumbh Mela.

Significance

The Kumbh Mela is not only significant for its religious importance but also for the immense gathering of people it attracts, making it one of the largest peaceful gatherings in the world. The festival is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The main event is the ritual bath on the banks of the rivers in each town, which is considered to be an act of purification, washing away sins and helping the devotee break the cycle of rebirth, thereby attaining Moksha (liberation).

Rituals and Practices

During the Kumbh Mela, several rituals are performed; foremost among them is the ritual bath. Other activities include religious discussions, devotional singing, mass feeding of holy men and women and the poor, and religious assemblies where doctrines are debated and standardized. Kumbh Mela is also significant for the presence of Sadhus (holy men) from different Hindu monastic orders, who visit the Kumbh Mela to perform sacred rituals.

Types of Kumbh Melas

There are four types of Kumbh Melas: the Maha Kumbh Mela, which is held every 12 years at Prayagraj; the Purna Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years at the other three sites; the Ardh Kumbh Mela, held every six years at Haridwar and Prayagraj; and the Kumbh Mela, held every three years, rotating among the four sites.

Challenges

The Kumbh Mela faces several challenges, including the management of the large crowds, ensuring the safety of pilgrims, maintaining cleanliness, and managing the environmental impact of the event on the rivers and surrounding areas.

In Popular Culture

The Kumbh Mela has been depicted in numerous films, documentaries, and books, highlighting its cultural significance and the diversity of the Indian subcontinent.