Kumbh Mela, Nasik

The earliest evidence of the Kumbh mela can be found in the accounts of the Chinese traveller Xuanzang, who visited India during the reign of King Harshavardhana, which is about 2000 years back. The origin of Kumbh Mela supposedly came from the drops of amrita (nectar) that were dropped by Lord Vishnu while transporting it in a Kumbha (pot). These four sites that received the drops of immortality are the present locations of the Kumbh mela. According to the mythological scholars, the Gods and demons were fighting over the pot of nectar when Lord Vishnu flew away with it, dropping a few drops on the four locations of Ujjain, Nasik, Allahabad and Haridwar. The fair is held every three years, switching between the four different locations. The planetary positions decide the location of Kumbh mela and then it is celebrated on a large scale over the selected place. The various festivities held during the fair include- religious discussions, devotional singing, feeding of the holy men and the underprivileged people and the most important of all, bathing in the sacred waters. Trimbakeshwar is a holy town in Nasik district of Maharashtra and hosts the fair every 12 years. The festival, here, is known as Simhastha.

According to the ancient tales, when Lord Vishnu flew from earth to heaven after the Samudra Manthan, a few drops of the amrita fell at the Godavari River in Nasik. This contributes to the sacredness of the place and makes sit one of the most famous pilgrimage places in India. Trimbakeshwar hosts this giant celebration when in the lunar month of Magh, the Sun and the Jupiter are in Leo zodiac sign. About a million pilgrims flock to Nasik to take part in the extravagant celebration of Kumbh mela. People come here to wash all their sins by taking a dip in the holy waters of Godavari. There are two bathing ghats here, namely Ramkund and Kushavarta. As the dates for this fair are announced quite early by the authorities, a lot of preparation is done to ensure the smooth celebration of all the festivities. The panorama of this celebration will inevitably leave the visitors awestruck. People leave their monotonous routines and take out time for the ecstasy during Kumbh mela.

Kumbh mela is one of the most peaceful and significant celebrations for the Hindus. Irrespective of all the barriers, millions of devotees flock to these fairs to bask in the glory and enthusiasm of this extravagant celebration. The show also witnesses the gathering of the most famous saints from various parts of the world. The Naga Sadhus, Urdhwavahurs, Parivajakas, Shirshasins and Kalpvasis; flock to the Kumbh mela in abundant numbers. It is the largest concentration of religious gatherings in the world and hence attracts a lot of visitors. The primary reason for these fairs to be popular is due to the spiritual calmness one can soak in. The ritual of taking a dip in the holy waters to disburden one from all the sins is believed to provide Nirvana from the vicious cycle of birth and death. One can indulge in devotional singing, meditative sessions, yoga classes, divine lectures, culture programs or light a Diya and grant a wish to attain the ultimate relaxation of the soul. The festivities of the fair hold a lot of meaning for the devotees. It is regarded as the opportunity to liberate one from the miseries and sufferings. References can be found regarding the significance of this religious commemoration in Rig Veda, Varaha Purana and Matsya Purana. One must undoubtedly witness this magical celebration which is thoroughly cherished by millions of devotees from throughout the world!

The various rituals and activities held at Kumbh mela include: Flag hoisting at Ram Kund Flag hoisting of the Akhara at Sadhugram Shravan Shudha or the First Snaan Shravan Poornima or First Shahi Snaan at Ram Kund Bhadrapad Amavasya or the Second Shahi Snan (Main bathing day) Bhadrapad Shukla Panchmi (Rushipanchami) or the Third Shahi Snaan Bhadrapad Shukla Dwadashi or Vaman Dwadashi Snan