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On prescribed dates during the Kumbh Mela, special bathing rituals are held on the ghats or banks of holy rivers. These are called Shahi or Amrit Snan; and are undoubtedly the most spectacular and anticipated events during the Mela. Sages and monks gather at the ghats for a holy dip, giving the devotees a rare and precious opportunity to see them up close. Naga sadhus – ascetics whose only covering is ash or Bhasma - hold out a message to the onlookers. Everything is prey to the scourge of Time and ultimately will return to ashes. After the bathing of sages, it is auspicious to take bath in the holy water.

Kumbh Mela is regarded as the world’s largest peaceful congregation of people and has been inscribed as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.<ref>https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/kumbh-mela-01258#identification</ref> A grand spectacle of sadhus and saints who congregate at the sacred riverside to take a purificatory bath, this event draws people from all corners of this vast ancient land and lately internationally. In Sanatana culture, the tradition of river bathing on the occasion of special festivals or Sankranti has been going on since ancient times. Kumbh festival is also a river-based tradition held at an interval of every twelve years at the confluence of the Ganges at Haridwar, Kshipra at Ujjain, Godavari at Kik, and Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati at Prayagraj, depending on the celestial planetary positions of the Sun and Brihaspati. The festival is a blend of three main traditions, namely pilgrimage, celestial planetary confluence, and rivers. It conveys the spirit of faith, sacrifice, dedication, commitment, and cooperation along with spiritual progress.{{#evu:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep6AhYEkWXI&feature=youtu.be

=== Importance of Rivers in Sanatana Tradition ===

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

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{{Citation needed}}. 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.

Since Vedic times, there has been a tradition of snana (bathing in the river), dana (charity), and sacrifice on the banks of the [[Tirthakshetra (तीर्थक्षेत्रम्)|Tirtha Kshetra]], and rivers during Sankranti and Grahana etc. Nobody can say with certainty when Kumbh Mela began. We do know, however, that it is from hoary antiquity and could go back, unbroken, over thousands of years. Without any formal invitations sadhus, saints and aspirants converge at the Mela site under the banners of their respective Akharaas and sects. Traditionally, the Kumbh Mela 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{{Citation needed}}. Each Akhara is distinct in its philosophy, practices of worship, choice of chief deity etc.  In spite 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. The Kumbh Mela beckons them and they respond – emerging from their distant abodes in jungles, caves or mountains. The wanderers too, turn their steps towards the Kumbh Mela.  

At the Kumbh Mela bathing in the holy waters of rivers holds deep significance. In Sanatana tradition Rivers are life-giving and are worshipped as worldly manifestations of the Goddess. Sanatana Dharma extols the maternal aspect of rivers and considers a dip in their waters as purifying and elevating. It also maintains a sense of duty towards the rivers for their preservation. At one level this cleanses the body and soul of ills; and at another level reaffirms the Hindus’ duty to keep rivers clean, and preserve their life-giving energy.

On prescribed dates during the Kumbh Mela, special bathing rituals are held on the ghats or banks of the rivers. These are called Shahi or Amrit Snan; and are undoubtedly the most spectacular and anticipated events during the Mela. Sages and monks gather at the ghats for a holy dip, giving the devotees a rare and precious opportunity to see them up close. Naga sadhus – ascetics whose only covering is ash or Bhasma - hold out a message to the onlookers. Everything is prey to the scourge of Time and ultimately will return to ashes. After the bathing of sages, it is auspicious to take bath in the holy water.

== Time and venue of Kumbh Mela ==

== Time and venue of Kumbh Mela ==

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 organized 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.

The timing and venue of Kumbh Mela is determined on the basis of astronomical events. It is believed that during these planetary alignments, adhyatmik energy is at its peak, making Kumbh Mela a truly divine event. Calculations are made by studying the positions of three celestial bodies Sun, Moon and Jupiter in different rashis or zodiac signs.

The timing and venue of Kumbh Mela is determined on the basis of astronomical events. It is believed that during these planetary alignments, adhyatmik energy is at its peak, making Kumbh Mela a truly divine event. Calculations are made by studying the positions of three celestial bodies Sun, Moon and Jupiter in different rashis or zodiac signs.

==References==

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