Kumbha Mela in India
Kumbha Mela in India
India is known for hosting the biggest religious congregation which happens after every 12 years on planet earth, is the Kumbha Mela where during a period of thirty to 45 days depending upon the hindu astronomical calendar some 50 million people take bath at four sacred rivers in India. The Kumbha Mela is recognized world over , one of the greatest human activity on the planet. Sacred by nature, it began following the belief that nectar fell at the four places namely, Haridwar, Prayag, Ujjain and Nasik while the great ocean was churned to get the nectar from the sea bottom. As nectar appeared, there was a quarrel to possess it between the gods and the demons (the positive and the negative forces of the nature). The creature of the world had the nectar pot in his hand and as he ran to keep it safe from the demons, some drops of the nectar fell at the above named places.
Since then every 12 year at the above named four centres, millions of sadhus, saints, yogis, vairagis and those who are in search of truth, come to the places and take bath. This year the 12 year religious year congregation took place at the ancient city of Ujjain situated on the banks of mokshdayani holy river Shipra. When the sun god is on the zodiac sign of Simha (leo), then Kumbha Mela takes place at Ujjain. The whole Kumbha Mela lasts for around one month and devotees can take bath in the holy river on any day but there are 4-5 auspicious dates which are considered the most divine. Hence the maximum number of pilgrims are gathered on these days. These auspicious dates are decided according to the position of the moon during the month which includes, the crescent moon, the eleventh day of ascending moon, 13th day of ascending moon, full moon and no moon. The city of Ujjain is as ancient as the history is. The name of the city appears in religious texts and historical references which are about 4000 years old.
The documented history and authored history tells us that the Kumbha Mela has existed there and was celebrated with great religious festivity and faith. This great confluence of sadhus, saints, vairgi, sanyaasi, parivrajak and public is a unique spectacle to see and participate. Nowhere on earth such pulic activity has been recorded. The immortal existence of Mahakaal Shiva temple is a great charm for the pilgrims and the tourists coming to the Kumbha Mela. The equator passes from the city of Ujjain and at the intersecting spot of latitudes and longitudes, there is the famous Mangal Nath temple. The great learned astronomer Maharaja of Jaipur Sawai Jai Singh also chose Ujjain for constructing the first astronomical observatory as he was aware of the geographical importance of the place. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh had made and constructed five astronomical observatories in India, the other four are situated in Delhi, Mathura, Varanasi and Jaipur and these observatories contain some of the most intelligent never before thought or practiced after, astrological instruments. The Jaipur observatory is a functioning observatory even at present and scholars and tourist around the globe come to visit it. It is also a UNESCO world heritage property. The city of Ujjain has been praised and elaborately described by the great Sanskrit poets like Kalidas, Bhavbhuti, Magh and Shudraka and these poets have described the Ujjain as a very rich, affluent and beautiful city. Kumbha is unique but kumbha at Ujjain is super unique.