2020 has just begun with the great vibes of the magnificent Kumbh Mela 2021 as its preparations are just around the corner. This auspicious fair is visited by more than 100+ million devotees from all across the world. Kumbh Mela is at the top of the largest religious gathering in the world.
This one of a kind pious Indian festival is authorized by UNESCO and as well as it is enlisted as the main part of its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. With so much happening around, you should not miss out on Kumbh Mela 2021 which held only 4 times in 12 years. Have a look at the article on Kumbh Mela 2021: The First-Timers Guide to Kumbh Mela.
All About Kumbh Mela
Exciting and chaotic are the words that best characterize the Kumbh Mela. In the midst of the intermittent mantras chanting, the heart rendering moves of the Aghoris and the sacred ghats lit up with bright diyas, you can help to stop yourself to go with the flow of this mesmerizing fair. The Kumbh Mela 2021, won’t just lend you with a day’s inclination however an incredible experience of a lifetime.
Swarming like fireflies favoring a bulbous giant, a large number of passionate devotees meet up to wash their wrongdoings or sins during the Kumbh Mela.
The beginning of these mammoth spiritual social affairs can be followed back to the presence of Demons and Gods on earth. As per the Hindu mythology, the word ‘Kumbh’ derived from the Sanskrit word ‘pitcher’ that had the ‘Amrita’ the everlasting nectar that had shown up during the ‘Samudramanthan’.
There is a belief that the Gods and the devils had churned the ocean to create the same.
Kumbh Mela is one of the most euphoric religious festivals in India. It is celebrated 4 times every 12 years’ intervals. Groups of Naga Sadhus and a crowd of passionate devotees visit this unique fair from all over the world. This fair is truly the world’s biggest act of belief.
Kumbh Mela is viewed as the most pious time to take a bath in the sacred river to free themselves from their wrongdoings and accomplish a stage forward towards salvation.
The most famous draws of the mela are the Nagas (bare sadhus), Urdhawavahurs (who open their body to extreme austerities) and the Kalpwasis (the ones who take bath thrice a day). Aside from these, the customs that are performed during this time are worth experiencing.
The Kumbh Mela discovers the World’s biggest serene social affair at some of the symbolic places in the existence of Hinduism. Haridwar (Ganga River), Prayag Raj (Triveni Sangam of River Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati), Ujjain (Kshipra River), and Nasik (Godavari River) are the main Kumbh Mela Destinations which are said to be eternally blessed during the Kumbh Mela days. Ardent roamers and enthusiastic travelers who long to experience the Cultural Heritage of Incredible India can be a part of the relentless agitation at the Kumbh Mela 2021.
Why Kumbh Mela Is Celebrated in India?
There is the belief in Hindu mythology that during an epic battle named ‘Samudramanthan’ between the gods and the devils, the nectar of from that big pot fell at these four locations which are Haridwar, Prayag Raj, Ujjain, and Nasik. At these main four destinations, Kumbh Mela takes place 4 times in every 12-year intervals. The Hindu devotees visit these places with a desire to dip in these sacred river waters to wash away all their sins and wrongdoings.
Basically, there are 5 types of Kumbh Mela held in India:
- Maha Kumbh Mela – Maha Kumbh Mela held only in Prayag Raj (Prior it was known as Allahabad).
- Purna Kumbh Mela: – It comes every 12 years.
- Ardh Kumbh Mela. It means Half Kumbh which means half of 12 years interval.
- Kumbh Mela.
- Magh (Kumbh) Mela.
What Is Maha Kumbh Mela?
The Maha Kumbh Mela held at regular intervals for 144 years at Prayag Raj (Allahabad), after the culmination of 12 Purna Kumbh Mela’s. The Purna Kumbh Mela is held at regular 12 years’ intervals and subsequently, the Maha Kumbh Mela is held every 144 years (12*12=144).
What Is Ardh Kumbh Mela?
The Ardh Kumbh Mela aka Half Kumbh Mela is held at every 6 years’ intervals in two unique locations, Haridwar and Allahabad. Ardh signifies ‘half’ which is deciphered as half of 12 years.
Why Kumbh Mela Is Held Every 12 Years?
The epic war between the divine gods and the demons over the ownership of the Nectar of Immortality went on for 12 heavenly days which are equivalent to 12 human years. That is the reason, why Kumbh Mela or generally called Purna Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years intervals at the 4 sacred places in India.
Where Is Kumbh Mela 2021 Happening?
The next Kumbh Mela 2021 is going to held at Haridwar, India. This religious event is visited by millions of passionate devotees from all over the world.
There is a religious significance of Kumbh Mela among Hindu devotees that a visit to the pious Kumbh Mela and a dip in the sacred river waters will free them from all their sins. The Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years by rotation at one of the four sacred pilgrimage places, Haridwar, Prayag Raj, Nasik, and Ujjain.
What to Expect from Religious & Cultural Events of Kumbh Mela 2021?
The main attractions of Kumbh Mela are a holy bath in the waters of the sacred river that is believed to cleanse all sins from life. The next main attraction of Kumbh Mela is the divine ‘Aartis’ on the banks of the sacred river followed by the prayers and mantras chanted by the pujaris or priests. The Kirtan, Pravachan, Mahaprasad and the Naga Sadhus are also the part of major attractions of Kumbh Mela.
Who Are Naga Sadhus and Where Do They Live?
The Naga Sadhus are the great followers of Lord Shiva. They live an ascetic and solitary life without relinquishing their desires for the body; material and comfort of life don’t even wear any clothes and remain bare all long for a lifetime.
The Naga Sadhus live in the Himalayan caves which are away from any connection of human civilization. They remain to meditate there in order to earn salvation and enlightenment and this is why Naga Sadhus don’t wear clothes because they believe clothes create a connection to the materialistic world.
Their bodies are always smeared with the ashes of the burned dead bodies to mark their devotion towards Lord Shiva.
What Are the Main Bathing or Snan Dates of Kumbh Mela 2021?
Wanna know When Kumbh Mela 2021 is Happening? Well, the main bathing dates for this 3-months long Kumbh Mela 2021 fair are:
First Bath/Snan: Makar Sankranti (January 14, 2021)
Second Bath/Snan: Mauni Amavasya (February 11, 2021)
Third Bath/Snan: Vasant Panchami (February 16, 2021)
Fourth Bath/Snan: Magh Purnima (February 27, 2021)
First Shahi Snan/Bath: Mahashivratri (March 11, 2021)
Second Shahi Snan/Bath: Somvati Amavasya (April 12, 2021)
How to Reach Kumbh Mela 2021 In Haridwar?
The nearest airport to Haridwar is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (41 km away). The airport has direct flights operating from Dehradun to major cities like Delhi and Mumbai and connecting flights to all the cities of India. One can hire a cab from outside the airport to go to Haridwar.
The Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (41 km away) is the nearest Airport to Haridwar. The air terminal has non-stop flights operating from Dehradun to significant urban cities like Delhi and Mumbai and corresponding flights to every one of the urban cities of India. One can also book a taxi or cab from outside the airport to reach Haridwar for Kumbh Mela 2021.
If you are visiting Kumbh Mela 2021 by rail, then, you should know Haridwar has its own railway station that connects it to the other places of the country. It offers great rail connectivity with the major urban cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Dehradun, Kolkata, Jaipur, Patna and many more.
Haridwar also offers great road connectivity with Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttarakhand.
Now you have learned all about Kumbh Mela 2021, Where is it happening? When is it happening? What are the Types of Kumbh Mela? What to expect from this fair? What are the Religious and Cultural Events at Kumbh? What are the main Bathing or Snan dates of Kumbh Mela 2021? And a lot more, SO, get ready and plan your visit to Kumbh Mela 2021.
Book your Kumbh Mela 2021 tour packages online and have a memorable experience at this truly divine fair.
