Haridwar Kumbha Mela 2010 – Maha Kumbh Mela India – Haridwar Ardha Kumbha Mela Photos, Videos

Kumbh Mela is a mass Hindu pilgrimage. It occurs four times every twelve years and rotates among four locations: Allahabad (Prayag) at the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna and mythical Saraswati River, Haridwar along Ganga River, Ujjain along the Kshipra River and Nashik along the Godavari River, so a Kumbh Mela is practically held every three years across the four locations.

The Kumbh Mela is huge gathering of Sadhus and Gurus from all over India & abroad. They come in Millions from all the corners for this common goal. There are thousand of sect in India the most common are two, Vaishnava (Followers of Vishnu) and Shaiva (Followers of Shiva). The greatest features of this mela are furious and exotic Naga Sadhus (The Naked ones) covered in ash, matted hairs. They are known as preserver of faith.

Maha Kumbh held at Allahabad after every twelve years, which is once in life time event, if some how your have missed Maha Kumbh than other option of similar significance is Ardh Kumbh which held at Haridwar and Allahabad after every 6 years.

Allahabad was hosted last Ardh Kumbh Mela in Jan 2007 during the months of Jan - Feb. In 45 days celebration, more than 70 million Hindu pilgrims took part and making it the largest gathering anywhere in the world. On January 15, the most auspicious day of the festival of Makar Sankranti, more than 5 million participated. The upcoming Kumbh Mela in Haridwar is in 2010

Etymology

Kumbha is a Sanskrit word for Pitcher, sometimes referred to as the Kalasha, it is also a zodiac sign in Indian astrology for Aquarius, the sign under which the festival is celebrated, while Mela means 'a gathering' or 'a meet', or simply a fair.

The Mythological Origin

Kumbh's history originates from the beginning of the Creation. All devtas were under the influence of a curse that made them weak and coward, Brahma, (the creator God) advised them to churn the ocean for Amrit (Nectar), intake of which will make them immortal, devtas sough the help of demons for the purpose. Gods and demons made a temporary agreement to work together in obtaining amrita (the nectar of immortality) from the Milky Ocean, and to share this equally.The Mandara Mountain was used as a churning rod, and Vasuki, the king of serpents, became the rope for churning. With the demigods at Vasuki's tail and the demons at his head, they churned the ocean for 1,000 years. However,Dhanwantari, the divine healer, appeared with the "Kumbh" containing nectar in his palms, when the Kumbha (pot) containing the amrita appeared, the demons ran away with the pot and were chased by the gods. By their joint churning Amrit was one of the resultants, found in the last. A battle ensured. For twelve days and twelve nights (equivalent to twelve human years) the gods and demons fought in the sky for the possession of this pot of amrita. It is said that during the battle, drops of amrita fell on to four places: Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik. Kumbha mela is observed at these four locations where the nectar fell.

To commemorate this holy event, Hindus from all over the country come together for to take a holy dip in the mighty Ganga. Hindus believes that simply by bathing in the Ganges zone at the time of Kumbh is freed from their past sins (karma), and thus one becomes eligible for liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

The Khumba Mela takes place every three years rotating through Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik

-- Prayag (near the city of Allahabad, in the state of Uttar Pradesh) at the confluence of three rivers Ganga (Ganges), Yamuna and Saraswati
-- Haridwar (in the state of uttaranchal pradesh) where the river Ganga enters the plains from Himalayas
-- Ujjain (in Madhya Pradesh), on the banks of Ksipra river, and
-- Nasik (in Maharashtra) on the banks of Godavari river.

Upcoming Kumbh Mela

Haridwar (The Gateway to God) will host the Ardha Kumbha mela in the year 2010
Allahabad (Prayag) Maha Kumbh Mela 2013 (January 27th to February 25th)
The Maha Kumbha Mela will again be held at Allahabad (Prayag) in the year 2013.
Nasik Maha Kumbh Mela 2015 (August 15th to September 13th)
Nasik will host the Maha Kumbha Mela in 2015
Ujjan Maha Kumbh Mela 2016 (April 22nd to May 21st)

Haridwar invite you in 2010 for Ardha Kumbh Mela

Hardwar, is situated on the foothills of Shivaliks. It is here that the river Ganga, coming down from the gigantic Himalayas, touches the plains. Haridwar is the first place where the river meets the plains. Also known as Mayapuri, Gangadwar, Tapovan and Mokshadwar in the ancient scriptures, Haridwar is a city with immense religious significance and a major pilgrimage town for the Hindus. It is among the seven sacred cities of India and one of the four holy sites for Kumbh Mela. It also finds importance as one of the major Shaktipeeths.

The upcoming Kumbh Mela in Haridwar is in 2010. Millions of Sadhus and pilgrim are expected to come for taking dips in the Ganges on this time. Diyas carrying people wishes flowing on the waters, people drenched in holiness with folded hands in front of the holy temples are some of the most common sights that one can experience during the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar. Shut your mind and let your heart soak in all the spirituality, that draws people to the holy land of Haridwar every 12th year.

The Planetary positioning

The astrological date for Kumbh at Haridwar falls when Venus and Jupiter coincide with Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries. This planetary position is said to medicate the waters of the Ganga at a particular spot called Har ki pauri on the banks of River Ganges in Haridwar, and turns it into nectar on these days, thereby attracting millions to purify their inner-self through holy bathing rituals. Spiritually, position of planets during the Kumbh Mela is good for concentration and meditation.

The main bathing dates for the Ardh Kumbh Mela in Haridwar are:

Feb. 18, 2004
April 13, 2004

Accessibility (How to Reach)

Airport - The main airport is Jolly Grant at Dehradun (52 kms). Air Deccan connects Delhi to Dehradun; from there one can take a Bus or Train.
Railways - Haridwar is a Major Railhead which is well connected to various cities and towns of India.
Road - When travelling from Delhi, NH 54 passes through Haridwar. Other highways also connect Haridwar to Delhi, Dehradun, Nainital and other Mmajor cities and small towns.

Sacred attraction at Haridwar