Ujjain Kumbh Mela 2028 | Simhastha,�Poorna Kumbh Mela in Ujjain

Kumbh Mela, Ujjain Overview

The Kumbh Mela in Ujjain is one of the largest and most significant religious gatherings in the world. Held every 12 years, Ujjain is one of the four sacred cities, alongside Haridwar, Nashik, and Prayagraj, where this grand event takes place. This ancient festival holds immense spiritual importance for Hindus, attracting millions of devotees from across India and the world. The Kumbh Mela at Ujjain is an occasion of great religious fervor, marked by ritualistic bathing in the Shipra River, which is believed to purify the soul and wash away sins.

Kumbh Mela is a Hindu pilgrimage of faith in which Hindus and people from all over the world gather together at a place to bathe in a sacred river. From ancient times, four fairs are widely recognised as the Kumbh Melas: the Haridwar Kumbh Mela, the Allahabad Kumbh Mela, the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha and the Ujjain Simhastha. These four fairs are held periodically at one of the four places by rotation. The main festival site is located on the banks of the river Ganga at Haridwar, Sarasvati at Allahabad; the Godavari at Nashik; and the Shipra at Ujjain. Bathing in these rivers is believed to clean people of all sins.

The Ujjain Kumbh Mela is a pompous and colourful event and is a treat for travellers. It is an enriching experience which immerses the attendees of the fair in the colours of spirituality and old world charm. One is never too young or too old to attend the Kumbh Mela. A ceremonial bath in these holy rivers is considered to be the essence and most significant ritual of this festival. It is believed that a holy dip in these rivers cleanses the soul of individuals and frees them from all their sins, as the rivers turn into the areas of sanctity during the favourable time of the Kumbh Mela.

History of Kumbh Mela

Located in Malwa region of central India, Ujjain is an ancient city based on the bank of the Kshipra River. Considered to be one of the seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri) by the Hindus, it is believed to be the place where Lord Krishna, Balarama and Sudama, received their education from Maharshi Sandipani. The Ujjain Kumbh Mela first began in the 18th century inspired by the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela. The 'Khulasat-ut-Tawarikh' is the earliest available text that mentions Ujjain as a sacred city. It does not talk about any fair at Ujjain although it does mention about the Kumbh Melas at Haridwar, Prayag and Trimbak. Just like the fairs at Prayag and Nashik, the Ujjain mela was not called a Kumbh Mela until the 19th century. The term Kumbh Mela was only used for the Haridwar fair.

Ujjain Kumbh Mela Dates

The Ujjain Kumbh Mela takes place every 12 years in the city of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. The last Kumbh Mela at Ujjain was held in 2016 and the next one will take place after 2028. The fair is also known as Simhasth Mela in Hindi as it derives its name from the celebratory event of planet Jupiter (Brahaspati) entering in the Leo sun sign( Simha Rashi), according to Hindu astrology. It is one of the four Kumbha Melas. The main bathing ritual takes place on the full moon day in Vaisakha month (April-May) of the Hindu calendar. Ujjain is also home to Lord Mahakaleshwar, one of the 12 'jyotirlings' in the country.

Religious Significance

The Kumbh Mela at Ujjain is deeply tied to Hindu mythology and the cosmic battle for the nectar of immortality (Amrit). According to legend, during the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), a few drops of the nectar fell at four locations on Earth — Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nashik, and Ujjain. This gave these cities the distinction of hosting the Kumbh Mela. Ujjain’s Kumbh Mela is unique as it is celebrated during the auspicious time of the "Simhastha" festival, when Jupiter (Brihaspati) enters the zodiac sign Leo (Simha). It is believed that the blessings of the deities are most potent during this time, and a dip in the Shipra River during the mela can grant spiritual redemption and liberation (Moksha).

Legend of Kumbh Mela

Once the gods (Devdas) decided to churn the sea (Samudra Manthan), as it contained the immense treasures of wealth and mortality. The most glorious treasure among them was the 'Amrit' or the nectar of immortality. Churning of the sea, however, required immense strength and the combined strength of all the gods was not enough to carry out the cumbersome task. Thus, the gods asked the Demons (Asuras) to join hands and help them fulfil the task. In return, the gods had promised the demons an equal share of the nectar. After 1000 long years of struggle, the Kumbh (pot) of nectar finally emerged out of the ocean. Fearing that drinking the nectar would turn the demons into immortal, the demigods took away the nectar pot and fled. According to the legend, the chase between the demons and gods stretched for twelve days, and during the chase, drops of the nectar dripped over Haridwar, Allahabad, Ujjain and Nashik, which turned these cities into pilgrimage sites. This legend has been passed over from generations to generations and has led to the kick-start of the twelve-day festival of Kumbh Mela.

Celebrations of Kumbh Mela

Pilgrims from all corners of the country gather in the city of Ujjain for the holy fair. During the Kumbh Mela, non-vegetarian food is banned throughout the city. Some ancient delicacies are prepared for the pilgrims that include Dal Bafale, a dish similar to the famous Rajasthani dish Dal Baati. Saints with matted locks of hair, their bodies covered in ashes and tridents in hand can be seen roaming all around. The city is filled with all kinds of artists, from astrologers to palmists to snake-charmers, the list does not end. Saffron becomes the colour of the city and colourful flags and banners flow across all streets. The air is engulfed with the hymns of the saints chanting the prayer of river Ganges along with the rhythms of conch shells. Bands play and people dance in euphoria.