The Kumbh Mela 2021 is held in Haridwar in Uttarakhand when the Sun enters the Aries and the Jupiter enters the Aquarius – Surya enters Mesha Rashi and the Guru or Brihaspati enters Kumbha Rashi.
Haridwar Kumbh Mela Important Bathing Dates 2021 are:
- Maha Shivratri – March 11
- Amavasya (Somvati Amavasya as it is Monday) – April 12, 2021
- Mesha Sankranti – April 14, 2021
- Chaitra Purnima – April 27, 2021
Who Participates In Kumbh Mela?
Pilgrims to the Kumbh Mela come from all sections of the religion ranging from Sadhus (saints) and Naga Sadhus who practice ‘sadhana’ and keenly follow a strict path of spiritual discipline, to Rishis who leave their seclusion and come to visit the civilization only during the Kumbh Mela, to seekers of spirituality, and to common people practicing Hinduism.
Why Is Haridwar Kumbh Mela Organized In 2021 not the regular year 2022?
Kumbh 2021 is unique due to its astrological significance and will be organized a year earlier in Haridwar as sun (surya) would enter in Aries (Mesha) and Jupiter (Guru) in Aquarius (Kumbha) in 2021 instead of 2022 making this mega event unique and auspicious. In 2022, Jupiter or guru would have entered Pisces or Meena Rashi.
Important Ceremonies In Kumbh Mela
During the Kumbh Mela, a number of ceremonies take place; the traditional procession of Akharas called ‘Peshwai’ on elephant backs, horses and chariots, the shining swords and rituals of Naga Sadhus during ‘Shahi Snan’, and many other cultural activities.
Four Kumbh Melas In 12 Years
As per Hinduism, Kumbh Mela is an important and religious festival which is celebrated four times over the course of 12 years. The location of the festival keeps rotating between four pilgrimage sites situated on the banks of the holy rivers. These places are: Haridwar on the Ganges in the Uttarakhand, Ujjain on the Shipra river in Madhya Pradesh, Nashik on the Godavari River in Maharashtra and Prayagraj at the confluence of three rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati in the Uttar Pradesh.
Largest Religious Gathering In The World
Kumbh Mela is the largest religious congregation of pilgrims on earth which witness millions of people including ascetics, saints, sadhus, kalpavasis and visitors irrespective of their caste, creed and gender.
The event encapsulates the science of astronomy, astrology, spirituality, ritualistic traditions, social and cultural customs and practices, making it extremely rich in experience.
It is thereby, The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage under UNESCO has inscribed ‘Kumbh Mela’ on the representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Story Of Kumbh Mela
Kumbh Mela is made up of two-words Kumbh and Mela. The name Kumbh is derived from the immortal pot of nectar which the Devatas and the demons fought over (Samudra Manthan – churning of ocean) as described in Hindu scriptures. Mela, as we all are familiar, is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘gathering’ or ‘to meet’.
It is believed that, a few drops of Amrit or elixir of immortality from the Kumbh fell at four places – Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nasik.