Kumbha Mela 2010, Maha Kumbh Mela Haridwar, Maha Kumbha Festival

Kumbh Mela | Kumbha Mela | Kumbh Mela Haridwar | Kumbh Mela 2010

Kumbha Mela - The largest gathering of people for a religious purpose in the world. Kumbh Mela to be held at Hardwar in Uttarakhand in 2010. For the preparation of the religious mela festival, the union govenrment has released Rs.400 crore. 

The largest religious gathering in the world. According to astrologers, the 'Kumbh Fair' takes place when the planet Jupiter enters Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries.

Kumbha (Kumbha means pot) Mela (means fair) is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage that takes place at the following four locations of India:

Prayag, Allahabad (in the state of Uttar Pradesh) at the confluence of three holy rivers - Ganga (Ganges), Yamuna and Saraswati

Haridwar (in the state of Uttar Pradesh) where the river Ganga enters the plains from Himalayas 

Ujjain (in Madhya Pradesh), on the banks of shipra river, and 

Nasik (in Maharashtra) on the banks of Godavari river. 

 
The pilgrimage occurs four times every twelve years, once at each of the four locations. Each twelve-year cycle includes the Maha (great) Kumbha Mela at Prayag, attended by millions of people, making it the largest pilgrimage gathering around the world.

Ardha Kumbha and Maha Kumbha are the occasions when millions of people gather to take holy dip in the sacred waters. This is main reason for one to attend the Maha Kumbha and the Ardha Kumbha festival. It is believed that a holy dip in sacred rivers during Maha Kumbh or Ardh kumbh takes human out of the circle of life and death and one attains Moksha. Devotees, saints/sadhus turn up in great number from all over the world to take a dip in the holy waters of rivers like the Ganges, Yamuna and the mythological Saraswati at Parayag (Sangam). According to traditions these holy rivers offers purity, wealth, fertility and wash away the sins of all those who take bath. 
 
 During his inaugural address at the India International Trade Fair here on Saturday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal expressed happiness over the release of fund by the Centre.


Pokhriyal said, "visitors to the Kumbh Mela are not in lakhs but in crores. So our government is doing everything to manage things smoothly. Preparation is on full swing and with this financial support we will be able to make this event a success."


The festival is scheduled to start Jan 14 on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, considered an auspicious day on the Hindu calendar.