Maha Kumbh Mela
Imagine that youre standing in a huge crowd and people are crowding around you. Normally you'd have been in a foul mood, but the event taking place before you was enough to lighten your mood. You see thousands of holy saints go by on top of elephants, horses, palaquains, chariots, camels, and even cars. You could feel a divine energy radiating of off them. You are excited by the shout and cries of ash-smeared sadhus, the neighing of horses and the trumpeting of elephants, grunting of camels, and bellowingof bulls. Gongs and drums beat, trumpets blare, conch shells blow and bells ring. In the midst of this ecstatic gathering, musicians and dancers perform. You are at the largest gathering of pilgrims in history and it was fascinating. You are at the Maha Kumbh Mela of Haridwar, in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Maha means great. Kumbh means pot. Mela is the actual pilgramage to 1 of 4 places; Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nasik. This festival happens every 3 years and returns to each of 4 places every 12 years. If you haven't already figured it out,theirs a Maha Kumbh Mela and Ardh Mela next year. An Ardh Mela means 1/2 festival and it occurs every 6 years after the Maha Kumbh in each location. Prayag is near the city of Allahabad, at the meeting of three rivers: Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. Haridwar is in the state of Uttar Pradesh where the Ganga flows from the Himalyas. Ujjain is located in Madhya Pradesh on the banks of the Ksipra River. Nasik is in Maharashtra on the banks of the Godavari River.
The Maha Kumbh Mela is a festival when saints and devotees can wash away their sins in holy rivers, and the cycle of their rebirth and death ends, so their souls can be embraced by God. It is at this time, that after 12 years, the saints and yogis of the Himalayas come out to bless the devotees. In this spiritual gathering the saints bath first, then the devoteesbath. Many devotees live in camps and ashrams for the whole Mela and lead sacred lives. They are called Kalpavas(men) and Kalpavasee(women).Even the tribal people celebrate this festival, but they call it Shabiri Kumbh Mela.
The legendary belief behind this festival is one that many have probably heard before, but never knew it corresponded with this festival. When creation first began, the gods became weak because of a curse. They all went to Brahma, (God of creation) who told them to find Kumbh, (a pot) containing Amrut. (substance of immortality) The Gods had got help from the demons. As Dhanwantari(divine healer) appeared with the "Kumbh", all the Gods began fighting. During this violent fight,a few drops fell in 4 places. These places are believed to be Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nasik. This is why the Mela takes in these sacred places.
The Maha Kumbh Mela has been part of our Indian tradition since time-immemorial. Today, the Maha Kumbh Mela is also a popular spectators event for people from all over the world. Many who live in Bharat itself can only dream of making this pilgrimage. If you ever get the chance to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela, stop imagining, and go.
