Kumbh Mela 2021

homage to Ma Ganga
Paying homage to the sacred river – waving the arathi lamps
The Kumbh Mela is a major pilgrimage and festival in Hinduism.[1] It is celebrated in a cycle of approximately 12 years at four river-bank pilgrimage sites: the Allahabad (Ganges-Yamuna Sarasvati rivers confluence), Haridwar (Ganges), Nashik (Godavari), and Ujjain. The festival is marked by a ritual dip in the waters, but it is also a celebration of community commerce with numerous fairs, education, religious discourses by saints, mass feedings of monks or the poor, and entertainment spectacle. The seekers believe that bathing in these rivers is a means to atonement, penance for past mistakes, and that it cleanses them of their sins. Approximately 50 and 30 million people attended the Allahabad Ardh Kumbh Mela in 2019 and Maha Kumbh Mela in 2013 respectively to bathe in the holy river Ganges, making them the largest peaceful gathering events in the world. In 2021 the Kumbh Mela will be held in Hardiwar.


One of the holiest places in India, It is significant that pilgrims often go from Haridwar to the two great Himalayan shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath, as Har means Shiva (the deity of Kedarnath), Hari means Vishnu (the deity of Badrinath), and Dwar means gate. Hardwar is therefore the gateway to the two holy shrines of Shiva and Vishnu.

All religions believe that the destiny of mankind is determined by the celestial war that goes on between good & evil, in essence, are a celebration of the victory of good over evil.

Kumbh means ‘vessel’ and mela means ‘a festival’. At the root of the kumbh mela legend, is the search for the nector of immortality that would end the war between gods and demons.

Every 03 years, a kumbh mela is held by rotation in Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nashik & Ujjain. Then there are the Ardh kumbh melas at Haridwar & Prayag raj, every six year, the purna kumbh mela held every 12 years (only at prayagraj).

And the greatest blessings for the pilgrims – both the sadhus & ordinary person is bathing in the holy waters of Ganges in 2021at Haridwar, where millions of devotees would come to bath during the forthcoming kumbh mela, considered as the holiest site for the holy dip.

At the heart of the greatest gathering on earth, behind the gigantic , all encompassing energy of belief & power, lies the spiritual secret of Hinduism – the MOKSHA.

Astrologically whenever Jupiter enters in Aquarius & Sun in Aries,a powerful supercharge happens at Haridwar. The whole area is energize – the water, the air, and the entire atmosphere becomes charged with that force. Taking bath in Ganges which is imbued with that power, promotes spiritual growth, health, emotional strength and put you on the path of MOKSHA.

 

ritual bathing
ritual bathing in the holy river at sundown (which is one of the three important times of day)

This year, the Maha Kumbh Mela began today, January 14, and will continue till April 27 in Haridwar…it is being held here after 11 years — not the usual 12 — because of specific auspicious dates. In fact, this is the first time in 80 years that such a phenomenon has happened.”
The last time of Maha Kumbh Mela was in 2013. Millions of devotees attend this profound spiritual festival and one highlight is that they bathe in holy waters to cleanse karma and bring moksha and also to share healing blessings with the world.

The important bathing dates for Kumbh Mela 2021: (shahi snan means holy dip or sacred bathing)
* January 14, 2021: Makar Sankranti
* February 11, 2021: Mauni Amavasya
* February 16, 2021: Basant Panchami
* February 27, 2021: Maghi Poornima
* March 11, 2021: Maha Shivratri (first shahi snan — royal bath)
* April 12, 2021: Somwati Amavasya (second shahi snan)
* April 14, 2021: Baisakhi (third shahi snan)
* April 27, 2021: Chaitra Purnima (fourth shahi snan)

Q and A on Kumbh Mela

 

 Kumbh Mela accomodation
Significant preparations are made to accommodate visitors to the Kumbh Mela

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