MAHA KUMBH MELA IN INDIA, 2010
The Purna (complete) Kumbh takes place at four places (Prayag (Allahabad), Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik) after every twelve years,while the Ardh Kumbh Mela is celebrated every six years at Haridwar and Prayag. Over 45 days beginning in January 2007, more than 17 million Hindu pilgrims took part in the Ardh Kumbh Mela at Prayag, and on January 15, the most auspicious day of the festival of Makar Sankranti, more than 5 million participated. Read More: > HERE <
Prof. (Dr.) Chitralekha Singh* – Kumbh Mela is a very big festival, participated by millions of people by taking a dip in the sacred waters at Haridwar, Parayag (Allahabad), Ujjain, Nasik & Vrindavan. This festival is observed at an interval of twelve years, when there is coincidence between the moon, the sun and the planet B’rhaspati. The bath, worship, charity and Satsang (religious congregation) are all important.
Churning of the sea by combined effort of the gods and demons produced Amrit (immortal juice). Gods and demons, both wanted it. So the pot was shifted from place to place and wherever this was shifted there was some spillage and these places were Haridwar, Prayag, Divya Vrindavan (where Garuda the vehicle of Vishnu has put the Amrit juice on Kadamb tree), Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar, Vrindavan, Kumbh Mela is held in these places. At Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar, Kumbh Mela is held every three years, but at Parayag it is after 12 years with Arddh Kumbh Mela held every 6 years.
Kumbh Mela after 6 years or 12 years is the proportional gain in the Magh Mela held at Parayag every year during the month of Magh (January – February) when lacs of pilgrims from all over India assemble to have a dip in the holy waters, in an attempt to wash away all their sins. Magh Mela (fairs) is held every year and everyday. Thousands of people are seen bathing in this water, throughout the month. Probably it was king Harsavardhan who was the initiator of this assembly (Mela).
During Kumbh Mela (after every 12 years) Parayag and all other pilgrimageswears a festive look, decorated with bright and glittering festoons. For a few days these places transforms into a Kumbhanagar, with lacs of pilgrims from all over India. Thousands of Sadhus and Sanyasis, who come down from their isolated mountain homes, and tourists from all over the world assemble these places to participate in this auspicious fair.
During the festival, the days of Makar Sankranti, Basant Panchmi, Maha Sivaratri, Chetra Amaveseya, Ram Navami and Baisakhi are recognized as more auspicious and benevolent.
(All the sketches are done by artist /author Prof. (Dr.) Chitralekha Singh at Haridwar, Maha Kumbh 2010 festival dated 5.02.2010)
Dean: Institute of Visual & Performing Art, Mangalayatan University, Vishwamitrapuri (Beswan), Aligarh.
Visit at: www.artistchitralekha.com
e.mail: artistchitralekha@artlover.com
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