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{{One source|date=January 2019}}  

{{One source|date=January 2019}}

The Kumbh is beyond imagination. ... Unless it is experienced....  

== Kumbh Mela - Some Salient Aspects ==

Kumbh Mela is the world’s largest, grandest, most spectacular event. Drawing 50 million people from all corners of this vast land

KM is a confluence of sages and ascetics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KM is a confluence of sages and ascetics.  

Without any formal invitations these saints converge at the Mela site under the flags of their respective Akharaas and sects. The KM beckons to them and they respond – emerging from their distant abodes in jungles, caves or mountains. The wanderers too, turn their steps towards the Kumbh Mela.

Without any formal invitations these saints converge at the Mela site under the flags of their respective Akharaas and sects. The KM beckons to them and they respond – emerging from their distant abodes in jungles, caves or mountains. The wanderers too, turn their steps towards the Kumbh Mela.

Kumbh is world renowned for its magnificence and grandeur. Even more astounding is the beautiful diversity that it encompasses. From south to north…east to west, from Himalaya to Sahyadri, Ganga to Kaveri, streams of spirituality, wisdom and awareness merge in this Divine Kumbh Mela.

Rivers have always been revered in Sanatana Dharma. River banks have traditionally been venues for organising religious festivities. Infact, many pilgrimage sites called Teerth are located on the banks of rivers.  Teerth means that place that transports or takes one across the symbolic river of life. In doing so, one is set free from worldly bondages.  Kumbh by virtue of being held on river banks becomes the locus of attaining liberation.

 

The entire country manifests itself in the Kumbh which can be termed a national herald. In many ways Kumbh denotes the essence of India. It flows through the very core of the Indian way of life – reaffirming and revitalizing it. It would not be an exaggeration to term it as the driving force behind SD. KM is the highest expression through which a Nation celebrates its civilizational continuity.

 

Kumbh is a rare moment when, the sages, ascetics and spiritual masters, from every corner of India reach householders. While normally devotees make difficult journeys to get blessings of great sages, in Kumbh the sages come themselves to impart blessings. All over the Kumbh, the sages meditate; hold sacred discussions about how to attain ultimate knowledge and the divine nectar overflows; the divine nectar for which sadhakas rush from across the globe.   

 

The Kumbh is a golden opportunity to glimpse into the soul of India – to comprehend SD. A journey into understanding Kumbh is a journey into unravelling the mystery that is India. A peep into the mystical Kumbh is an attempt to de-mystify India. To understand India, one has to understand the essence of SD and Viewing SD through the looking glass of the Kumbh can make it simpler. Understanding the Kumbh can pave the way to understanding India – '''for Kumbh is India itself'''.

 

The presence of countless sages, saints and monks, imbues the atmosphere of the Mela, with a purity that is impossible to experience elsewhere. KM in its true sense denotes an invocation to the collective consciousness; Kumbh is celebration of awareness, a mahayagya for cosmic wellbeing. On the banks of the Mela, flow sacred rivers and among the multitudes on their banks, flow sentiments that elevate humanity to a higher plane.  

Kumbh is organised at four places on the banks of sacred rivers. In the north at Haridwar; and in the east at Prayaag, on the banks of the river Ganga. Ujjain in the west hosts the Kumbh on the banks of river Shipra while in the south it is the Godavri whose banks at Nasik are the venue for the grand event.

Kumbh is organised at four places on the banks of sacred rivers. In the north at Haridwar; and in the east at Prayaag, on the banks of the river Ganga. Ujjain in the west hosts the Kumbh on the banks of river Shipra while in the south it is the Godavri whose banks at Nasik are the venue for the grand event.

On an average the Mela is held every three years across four different locations. Hence, each location becomes the chosen location after a span of 12 years. Once the location is declared, a temporary township emerges there - almost out of thin air - ready to house the surging crowds that would descend there during the month long fair. The Kumbh township is a mobile citadel that moves from one location to another, taking within its folds, the devout whose numbers keep growing with every passing year.

On an average the Mela is held every three years across four different locations. Hence, each location becomes the chosen location after a span of 12 years. Once the location is declared, a temporary township emerges there - almost out of thin air - ready to house the surging crowds that would descend there during the month long fair. The Kumbh township is a mobile citadel that moves from one location to another, taking within its folds, the devout whose numbers keep growing with every passing year.

Traditionally, the KM has been the prerogative of Akharaas, that is, special sects to which sages and saints bear allegiance. Nearly all of the designated 13 Akharaas trace their origins to Adi Shankaracharya. Each Akhara is distinct in its philosophy, practices of worship, choice of chief deity etc.  Inspite of this diversity, all Akharaas subscribe to a common mission – the upholding and propagation of Sanatana Dharma. Their coming together at the Kumbh Mela bears testimony to this common purpose.

Traditionally, the KM has been the prerogative of Akharaas, that is, special sects to which sages and saints bear allegiance. Nearly all of the designated 13 Akharaas trace their origins to Adi Shankaracharya. Each Akhara is distinct in its philosophy, practices of worship, choice of chief deity etc.  Inspite of this diversity, all Akharaas subscribe to a common mission – the upholding and propagation of Sanatana Dharma. Their coming together at the Kumbh Mela bears testimony to this common purpose.

But what is the origin of the Kumbh Mela? When did this huge event first make its presence felt in the Indian mainland? How did it become one of the torch bearers of Sanatana Dharma in this huge nation? The first documented reference to the Kumbh Mela can be found in a sixth century treatise.

But what is the origin of the Kumbh Mela? When did this huge event first make its presence felt in the Indian mainland? How did it become one of the torch bearers of Sanatana Dharma in this huge nation? The first documented reference to the Kumbh Mela can be found in a sixth century treatise.

These astrological phenomena are deeply symbolic – the three celestial bodies have profound spiritual and physical associations. In SD Sun symbolises the Aatman; Moon the Mann; and Jupiter the Dharma. When Dharma is practiced it purifies the chitt or mann which in turn elevates the soul and opens the door for self-realisation. It is the main cause which attracts saadhaks to the kumbh mela from all over the world.

These astrological phenomena are deeply symbolic – the three celestial bodies have profound spiritual and physical associations. In SD Sun symbolises the Aatman; Moon the Mann; and Jupiter the Dharma. When Dharma is practiced it purifies the chitt or mann which in turn elevates the soul and opens the door for self-realisation. It is the main cause which attracts saadhaks to the kumbh mela from all over the world.

Among the many mythological tales associated with the KM, the most popular is the ancient legend of the Samudra Manthan.

Among the many mythological tales associated with the KM, the most popular is the ancient legend of the Samudra Manthan.

Once Lord Vishnu decreed the churning of the celestial ocean for obtaining Amrit or the nectar of life. Both the Devtas and Daanavs were to participate in this arduous task and were to get a portion of this juice of immortality. Considering the legendary animosity between these agents of good and bad, a conflict broke out between them on the division of Amrit. In the ensuing conflict, a few drops fell out of the Kumbha or pitcher; over four places on earth. Later these sites became the venues for the KM.

Once Lord Vishnu decreed the churning of the celestial ocean for obtaining Amrit or the nectar of life. Both the Devtas and Daanavs were to participate in this arduous task and were to get a portion of this juice of immortality. Considering the legendary animosity between these agents of good and bad, a conflict broke out between them on the division of Amrit. In the ensuing conflict, a few drops fell out of the Kumbha or pitcher; over four places on earth. Later these sites became the venues for the KM.

In the Sanatan tradition folk lore has deep educational connotations. It presents profound and esoteric truths in simple and interesting tales for the uptake by common masses.  

In the Sanatan tradition folk lore has deep educational connotations. It presents profound and esoteric truths in simple and interesting tales for the uptake by common masses.

 

 

 

 

 

KM is a rare opportunity to understand the tradition of saints and sages of India. They are the flagbearers of India’s spiritual legacy. Their unceasing penance has ensured the continuance of this legacy and the establishment of Dharma. That is why in SD they are treated as the highest authority in society.  

 

KM is a rare opportunity to understand the tradition of saints and sages of India. They are the flagbearers of India’s spiritual legacy. Their unceasing penance has ensured the continuance of this legacy and the establishment of Dharma. That is why in SD they are treated as the highest authority in society.

These great men may look different on the outside but essentially they are similar in the core values they uphold. They are all seekers of truth. Under the tutelage of these saints at the KM, ordinary men can find answers to the questions that have been plaguing them; and a deeper synthesis with their wisdom could show the path to a meaningful life.

These great men may look different on the outside but essentially they are similar in the core values they uphold. They are all seekers of truth. Under the tutelage of these saints at the KM, ordinary men can find answers to the questions that have been plaguing them; and a deeper synthesis with their wisdom could show the path to a meaningful life.

They throng to the KM but it would be wrong to call them tourists. They are Teerthyaatri in the true sense of the word. Teerthaatan is an amazing innovation of SD. Tourists and pilgrims are different. True, both undertake journeys. But the similarity ends here. unlike Tourist, Teerthyaatries don’t seek adventure, excitement or mesmeric sights. Their journey is deeper, an inner movement, a movement to get answers to life’s perplexing questions. It is an all encompassing journey – from the stated to the unstated; from the gross to the subtle; from the manifest to unmanifest.

They throng to the KM but it would be wrong to call them tourists. They are Teerthyaatri in the true sense of the word. Teerthaatan is an amazing innovation of SD. Tourists and pilgrims are different. True, both undertake journeys. But the similarity ends here. unlike Tourist, Teerthyaatries don’t seek adventure, excitement or mesmeric sights. Their journey is deeper, an inner movement, a movement to get answers to life’s perplexing questions. It is an all encompassing journey – from the stated to the unstated; from the gross to the subtle; from the manifest to unmanifest.

In SD, search for truth is a noble quest and all are free to choose any path in that direction. SD is not a controlling or restrictive faith but a liberating one. It bestows upon its believers the freedom of choice – be that of the Guru or scripture or deity. The seeker can undertake the study of the Shastras, meditate or become follower of seers and wise men. The ways are myriad; and the choice free.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In SD, search for truth is a noble quest and all are free to choose any path in that direction. SD is not a controlling or restrictive faith but a liberating one. It bestows upon its believers the freedom of choice – be that of the Guru or scripture or deity. The seeker can undertake the study of the Shastras, meditate or become follower of seers and wise men. The ways are myriad; and the choice free.

KM is a celebration of individual choice which allows the natural unfoldment of a human being.

KM is a celebration of individual choice which allows the natural unfoldment of a human being.