In this New Year 2019, Kumbha Mela will be held at Prayag Raj (the then Allababad).  It will be held from 15th January,2019 and will continue till  March,2019.

Kumbha Mela is a mass Hindu Pilgrimage gathering.  Hindu people gather to take bath in a sacred or holy river.  Kunbha Melas are considered to be the largest peaceful gathering in the world.

TRADITION

Tradition ascribes the Kumbha Mela’s origin to the 8th century Philosopher Shankara. He instituted regular gatherings of learned ascetics for discussion and debate.

MYTH

The founding myth of the Kumbha Mela is attributed to the Puranas            (Collection of myth and legends). It recounts how the Gods and demons fought over the pot (Kumbh / Kubhha) of amrita, the elixir of immortality produced by the joint churning of the milky ocean.  During the struggle, drops of the elixir (amrita) fell on the Kumbha Mela’s four earthly sites on the river banks of the following places:

  1. Haridwar / Hardwar – In the bank of river Ganges
  2. Prayag Raj (the then Allahabad) – In the confluence of three rivers i.e. Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Swaraswati .
  3. Nashik – In the bank of river Godavari.
  4. Ujjain – In the bank of river Shipra

It is the belief of the Hindus that due to primordial nectar at these places, these places have become auspicious and pure and the water of the river turns into nectar during the auspicious period of Kumbha Mela.

BELIEVE

Hindus believe that people who bathe in the river during the auspicious dates  ( during Kumbha Mela) are blessed by the Gods themselves and all their sins would be washed away.

KUMBHA MELAS

Kumbha Melas are held only in 4 places :

  1. Hardwar / Haridwar
  2. Prayag Raj (the then Allahabad)
  3. Nashik
  4. Ujjain

Kumbha Melas are held at every 3rd year at one of the above places by rotation. Thus Kumbha Mela is held at each of the places every twelfth year.

ARDH KUMBHA MELA

Ardh Kumbha Mela’s are held every 6th year. It is held only at two places :

  1. Haridwar
  2. Prayag Raj

What happens in Kumbha Meal ?

Ritual bathing at the banks of the river in whichever town Kumbha Mela is being held.

PROGRAMME AND SCHEDULE FOR ARDHA KUMBHA MELA 2019 AT PRAYAG RAJ

  • Duration of the Mela – It will start from 15th January to 4th March, 2019
  • It is estimated that more than 2 crore people will take bath on this occasion.
  • Special Bath Dates –

Makar Sankranti – 1st Sahi Snan , 15th January,2019 (Tuesday).
Pausa Purnima – 21st January,2019 (Monday).
Mauni  Amavasya – 2nd Sahi Snan, 4th February,2019 (Monday).
Vasant Panchami – 3rd Sahi Snan, 10th February, 2019 (Sunday).
Maghi Purnima – 4th March, 2019 (Monday).

CONCLUSION

I am giving a poetic conclusion and I imagine the following …..

(The atmosphere at Kumbha Mela  Prayag Raj)

The atmosphere will certainly be devotional, magical and unparallel

Chanting of Veda Mantras will make it mesmerizing and unusual

Yagnas at Kumbha Mela will make the atmosphere devotional

Sadhus and Naga Sadhus  will be the main attraction

Mini India  will be seen at Prayag Raj and will draw all attention

Let us get  psychological strength and taste of  religious flavor & fervor

Let us be a part of this religious congregation

Let us get motivation, energy  and enthusiasm  to recreate a new generation.

 

THANKS A LOT

BYE ……..

Ratikanta Singh