essay on kumbha mela in kannada language

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Kumbh Mela 2021; ಕುಂಭಮೇಳದ ಮಹತ್ವ, ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ಮಾಹಿತಿ...

ವಿಶ್ವದ ಬೃಹತ್ ಧಾರ್ಮಿಕ ಸಮಾಗಮ ಎಂದೇ ಖ್ಯಾತಿಯಾಗಿರುವ "ಕುಂಭಮೇಳ" ಈ ಬಾರಿ ಸಂಕ್ರಾಂತಿಯ ಶುಭ ದಿನದಂದು (ಜ.14)ರಿಂದ ಆರಂಭಗೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಮಕರ ಸಂಕ್ರಾಂತಿಯಂದು ಸೂರ್ಯನು ಮಕರ ರಾಶಿಗೆ ಸಂಚಾರ ಮಾಡಿದ ನಂತರ ಮಹಾ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳವನ್ನು ಆಚರಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಈ ವರ್ಷ ಮಹಾ ಕುಂಭಮೇಳವು ಹರಿದ್ವಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ಜನವರಿ 14ರಿಂದ ಆರಂಭಗೊಂಡು ಏಪ್ರಿಲ್ 27ರವರೆಗೂ ನಡೆಯಲಿದೆ.

ಡಿಸೆಂಬರ್ 2017ರಲ್ಲಿ ಯುನೆಸ್ಕೊ ಈ ಮೇಳವನ್ನು ತನ್ನ ಅಮೂರ್ತ ಸಾಂಸ್ಕೃತಿಕ ಪರಂಪರೆ ಎಂದು ಶ್ಲಾಘಿಸಿತ್ತು. ಕುಂಭಮೇಳದ ಮಕರ ಸಂಕ್ರಾತಿಯ ದಿನ ಲಕ್ಷಾಂತರ ಜನರು ಬೆಳಿಗ್ಗೆ 4 ರಿಂದ ಸಂಜೆ 5 ರವರೆಗೆ ಗಂಗಾ, ಯಮುನಾ ಮತ್ತು ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ತ್ರಿವೇಣಿ ಸಂಗಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಪವಿತ್ರ ಸ್ನಾನ ಮಾಡುವುದು ಈ ಮೇಳದ ವಿಶೇಷ. ಈ ಮೇಳಕ್ಕೆ ದೇಶ, ವಿದೇಶಗಳೆಲ್ಲೆಡೆಯಿಂದ ಕೋಟ್ಯಂತರ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಭಕ್ತರು ಆಗಮಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ. 2020ರಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಯಾಗ್ ರಾಜ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಅರ್ಧ ಕುಂಭ ನಡೆದಿದ್ದು, ಈ ಬಾರಿ ಪೂರ್ಣ ಕುಂಭ ಹರಿದ್ವಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಮುಂದೆ ಓದಿ...

ಕುಂಭಮೇಳದ ಮಹತ್ವ

ಹಿಂದೂ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಂಭಮೇಳಕ್ಕೆ ವಿಶೇಷ ಸ್ಥಾನ. ಮಕರ ಸಂಕ್ರಾಂತಿಯಂದು ನಡೆಯುವ ಈ ಮೇಳಕ್ಕೆ ತಿಂಗಳ ಮುನ್ನವೇ ತಯಾರಿ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತದೆ. ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳವನ್ನು ನಾಲ್ಕು ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಗೊಮ್ಮೆ ಆಚರಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಅರ್ಧ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳವನ್ನು ಆರು ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಗೊಮ್ಮೆ ಹರಿದ್ವಾರ ಹಾಗು ಪ್ರಯಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಆಚರಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ, ಪೂರ್ಣ ಕುಂಭ ಹನ್ನೆರಡು ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಗೊಮ್ಮೆ , ಮಹಾ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳ 12 'ಪೂರ್ಣ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳ'ಗಳ ನಂತರ, ಅಂದರೆ 144 ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಗೊಮ್ಮೆ ಅಲಹಾಬಾದ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಆಚರಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ನಾಸಿಕ್ ನ ಗೋದಾವರಿ ನದಿ ತಟದಲ್ಲಿ, ಉಜ್ಜೈನಿಯ ಶಿಪ್ರಾ ನದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ, ಹರಿದ್ವಾರದ ಗಂಗಾ, ಪ್ರಯಾಗದ ಗಂಗಾ, ಯಮುನಾ ಹಾಗೂ ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ನದಿ ಸಂಗಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಈ ಕುಂಭಮೇಳ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತದೆ. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಪುಣ್ಯ ಸ್ನಾನ ಮಾಡುವುದರಿಂದ ಪಾಪಡಗಳು ತೊಡೆದು ಹೋಗುತ್ತದೆ ಎಂಬ ನಂಬಿಕೆ.

ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳ ವಿಶೇಷ

ಆದಿ ಶಂಕರರು ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳವನ್ನು ಆರಂಭಿಸಿದರು ಎನ್ನಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಪುರಾತನ ನಂಬಿಕೆಗಳ ಪ್ರಕಾರ, ದೇವರು, ಅಸುರರು ಒಟ್ಟಾಗಿ ಸಮುದ್ರ ಮಂಥನ ನಡೆಸುವಾಗ ಅಮೃತ ಬರಲು ಆರಂಭವಾಯಿತು. ಅಮೃತಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಅಸುರರು ಹಾಗೂ ದೇವರ ನಡುವೆ ನಡೆದ ಜಗಳದಲ್ಲಿ ಗರುಡ ಪಕ್ಷಿ ಅಮೃತವಿದ್ದ ಕುಂಭವನ್ನು ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಂಡು ಹೋಗುವಾಗ ಕುಂಭದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ಅಮೃತದ ಕೆಲವು ಹನಿಗಳು ಭೂಮಿಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಬಿದ್ದವು. ಎಲ್ಲಿ ಅಮೃತದ ಹನಿಗಳು ಬಿದ್ದಿತೋ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳವನ್ನು ಆಚರಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಪ್ರಯಾಗ್, ಹರಿದ್ವಾರ, ನಾಸಿಕ್ ಮತ್ತು ಉಜ್ಜೈನಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಂಭಮೇಳವನ್ನು ನಡೆಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ.

ಈ ಬಾರಿ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳದ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ದಿನಾಂಕಗಳು

ಜನವರಿ 14, 2021: ಮಕರ ಸಂಕ್ರಾಂತಿ ಫೆಬ್ರುವರಿ 11, 2021: ಮೌನಿ ಅಮಾವಾಸ್ಯೆ ಫೆಬ್ರುವರಿ 16, 2021: ವಸಂತ ಪಂಚಮಿ ಫೆಬ್ರುವರಿ 27, 2021: ಮಾಗಿ ಪೂರ್ಣಿಮಾ ಮಾರ್ಚ್ 11, 2021: ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ (ಮೊದಲ ಶಾಹಿ ಸ್ನಾನ) ಏಪ್ರಿಲ್ 12, 2021: ಸೋಮವತಿ ಅಮಾವಾಸ್ಯೆ ಏಪ್ರಿಲ್ 14, 2021: ಮೂರನೇ ಶಾಹಿ ಸ್ನಾನ ಏಪ್ರಿಲ್ 27, 2021: ಚೈತ್ರ ಪೂರ್ಣಿಮಾ

ಗ್ರಹಗಳ ಸಂಯೋಜನೆಯಂತೆ ಮಹಾ ಕುಂಭ

ಸಮುದ್ರ ಮಂಥನದ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಚಂದ್ರನು ಅಮೃತವನ್ನು ಹರಿಯದಂತೆ ಕಾಪಾಡಿದ ಹಾಗೂ ಸೂರ್ಯದೇವ ಕುಂಭ ಸ್ಫೋಟಿಸದಂತೆ ರಕ್ಷಿಸಿದ ಹಾಗೂ ಶನಿದೇವ ಇಂದ್ರನ ಕೋಪ ನಿಯಂತ್ರಿಸಿದ. ಹೀಗಾಗಿ ಈ ಗ್ರಹಗಳ ಸಂಯೋಜನೆ ರಾಶಿ ಚಕ್ರದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದಾಗ ಮಹಾ ಕುಂಭ ಆಯೋಜಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಬೃಹಸ್ಪತಿ ಹಾಗೂ ಗುರು ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ರಾಶಿ ಚಕ್ರಕ್ಕೆ ಪ್ರಯಾಣಿಸಲು ಹನ್ನೆರಡು ವರ್ಷಗಳು ಹಿಡಿಯುವುದರಿಂದ 12 ವರ್ಷಗಳ ನಂತರ ಕುಂಭಮೇಳ ಆಯೋಜಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ.

ಈ ಬಾರಿ ಕೊರೊನಾ ಸೋಂಕಿನ ನಿರ್ಬಂಧ

ಮೇಳದಲ್ಲಿ ಒಟ್ಟು ಆರು ಪವಿತ್ರ ಸ್ನಾನ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತವೆ. ಮಹಾಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ ದಿನ ಕೊನೆಯ ಪವಿತ್ರ ಸ್ನಾನದೊಂದಿಗೆ ಕುಂಭಮೇಳ ಮುಕ್ತಾಯವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಈ ಬಾರಿ ಹರಿದ್ವಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಂಭಮೇಳ ನಡೆಯಲಿದ್ದು, ಸಿದ್ಧತೆಗಳು ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿವೆ. 800 ಹೋಟೆಲ್ ಗಳು ಹಾಗೂ 350 ಆಶ್ರಮಗಳು ಸಿದ್ಧವಾಗಿವೆ. ಕೊರೊನಾ ಸೋಂಕಿನ ಸವಾಲು ಈ ಬಾರಿಯ ಕುಂಭಮೇಳಕ್ಕೆ ಎದುರಾಗಿದೆ. ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಜನರು ಸೇರದಂತೆ ನಿರ್ಬಂಧ ಹೇರುವ ಸಾಧ್ಯತೆಯೂ ಇದೆ. ಮುಂಚೆಯೇ ಆನ್ ಲೈನ್ ಬುಕಿಂಗ್ ಅಥವಾ ಇ ಪಾಸ್ ತೆಗೆದುಕೊರ್ಳಳುವ ಅವಶ್ಯಕತೆ ಇದೆ.

sankranti Sankranti 2021 kumbh mela festival india religion ಸಂಕ್ರಾಂತಿ ಹಬ್ಬ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳ ಭಾರತ ಉತ್ಸವ ಆಚರಣೆ ಧರ್ಮ

ಬಿಜೆಪಿಯವರಿಗೆ ನೂರಾರು ಕೋಟಿ ಕೊಟ್ಟು ಶಾಸಕರನ್ನು ಖರೀದಿ ಮಾಡುವುದು ಹೊಸದೇನಲ್ಲ: ಶಾಸಕ

Maharaja Trophy: ಗುಲ್ಬರ್ಗ ಮಿಸ್ಟಿಕ್ಸ್ ವಿರುದ್ಧ ಭರ್ಜರಿ ಗೆಲುವು; ಫೈನಲ್ ಪ್ರವೇಶಿಸಿದ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಬ್ಲಾಸ್ಟರ್ಸ್

India Weather: ದೇಶದ ಈ ಭಾಗಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಂದಿನ 5-6 ದಿನಗಳ ಕಾಲ ಗುಡುಗು ಸಹಿತ ಭಾರೀ ಮಳೆ ಮುನ್ಸೂಚನೆ

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• kannada News
• Here Is A Kumbha Mela 2021 Date, Importance And Reason Behind Celebrating

ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳ 2021: ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ನಿಮಗೆಷ್ಟು ಗೊತ್ತು..? ಇಲ್ಲಿದೆ ಮಹತ್ವ..!

ಈ ಬಾರಿ ಅಂದರೆ 2021 ರ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳವನ್ನು ಜನವರಿ 14 ರಂದು ಗುರುವಾರ ಆಚರಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳದ ಮಹತ್ವವೇನು ಗೊತ್ತೇ.. ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳವನ್ನು ಯಾಕೆ ಆಚರಿಸಬೇಕು.. ಎಷ್ಟು ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಗೊಮ್ಮೆ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳವನ್ನು ಆಚರಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ.. ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳವನ್ನು ಆರಂಭಿಸಿದವರಾರು...

​ಸನಾತನ ಧರ್ಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳದ ಮಹತ್ವ

ಗ್ರಹಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ನಕ್ಷತ್ರಪುಂಜಗಳ ಚಲನೆಗಳ ಪ್ರಕಾರ, ಈ ಬಾರಿ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳವನ್ನು 12 ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಗೊಮ್ಮೆ ಆಚರಿಸುವ ಬದಲು 11 ನೇ ವರ್ಷದಲ್ಲೇ ಆಯೋಜಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಈ ಬಾರಿ ಸೂರ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ದೇವರುಗಳ ಗುರವಾದ ಬೃಹಸ್ಪತಿಯ ಸಂಯೋಗದಿಂದ ಕೇವಲ ನಾಲ್ಕು ರಾಜ ಸ್ನಾನಗಳು ಇರುತ್ತವೆ. ಈ ಸ್ನಾನಗಳಲ್ಲಿ, ನಿರ್ವಾಣಿಗಳು, ಸಾಧು - ಸಂತರು ಬಂದು ಸ್ನಾನವನ್ನು ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಹಾಗೂ ಹೊಸ ಸದಸ್ಯರನ್ನು ಈ ದಿನ ತಮ್ಮ ಗುಂಪಿಗೆ ಸೇರಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಕುಂಭಮೇಳವು ಹಿಂದೂಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಶೇಷ ಮಹತ್ವವನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿದೆ ಮತ್ತು ಈ ಜಾತ್ರೆಯ ಸಿದ್ಧತೆಗಳು ಮಕರ ಸಂಕ್ರಾಂತಿಗೂ ಒಂದು ತಿಂಗಳ ಮುಂಚಿತವಾಗಿ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭವಾಗುತ್ತವೆ.

ಹಗಲು ನಿದ್ರೆ ಬೊಜ್ಜಿಗೆ ಕಾರಣ..! ಯಾವ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಲಗಬೇಕು ಗೊತ್ತಾ..?

​ಇವರು ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳವನ್ನು ಆರಂಭಿಸಿದರು

ಕುಂಭಮೇಳವನ್ನು ಆಯೋಜಿಸಿದ ಇತಿಹಾಸವು 850 ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಗಿಂತಲೂ ಹಳೆಯದು ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಇದನ್ನು ಆದಿ ಶಂಕರರು ಪ್ರಾರಂಭಿಸಿದರು. ಅದೇ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ, ಸಮುದ್ರ ಮಂಥನದ ಕಥೆಯ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭದಿಂದಲೂ ಕುಂಭವನ್ನು ಆಯೋಜಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಕೆಲವು ಕಥೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಹೇಳಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಕೆಲವು ವಿದ್ವಾಂಸರು ಇದು ಗುಪ್ತ ಕಾಲದ ಆರಂಭ ಎಂದು ನಂಬುತ್ತಾರೆ ಆದರೆ ಹರ್ಷವರ್ಧನ ಚಕ್ರವರ್ತಿಯ ಆಳ್ವಿಕೆ ಕಾಲದಿಂದಲೂ ಪುರಾವೆಗಳು ಲಭ್ಯವಿದೆ. ಹಲವು ವರ್ಷಗಳ ನಂತರ ಆದಿ ಶಂಕರಾಚಾರ್ಯರು ಮತ್ತು ಅವರ ಶಿಷ್ಯ ಸನ್ಯಾಸಿಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ನಿರ್ವಾಣಿಗಳೊಂದಿಗೆ ಸಂಗಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಶಾಹಿ ಸ್ನಾನವನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿದರು.

ಪತಿ - ಪತ್ನಿ ಹೀಗಿದ್ದರೆ ಮಧುರ ದಾಂಪತ್ಯ ಎನ್ನುತ್ತಾನೆ ಚಾಣಕ್ಯ..! ದಾಂಪತ್ಯ ಹೀಗಿರಬೇಕು..?

​ಈ ನಾಲ್ಕು ಸ್ಥಳಗಳು ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳದಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಶೇಷವಾಗಿದೆ

ದಂತಕಥೆಗಳ ಪ್ರಕಾರ, ದೇವರುಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಅಸುರರು ಒಟ್ಟಾಗಿ ಸಮುದ್ರವನ್ನು ಮಥಿಸಿದರು. ಈ ಮಂಥನದ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಅನೇಕ ರತ್ನಗಳು, ಅಪ್ಸರೆಗಳು, ಪ್ರಾಣಿಗಳು, ವಿಷ ಮತ್ತು ಅಮೃತ ಸೇರಿದಂತೆ ಇತ್ಯಾದಿ ವಸ್ತುಗಳು ಹೊರಬಂದವು. ದೇವರುಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಅಸುರರ ನಡುವಿನ ಸಂಘರ್ಷವು ಅಮೃತದಿಂದ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭವಾಯಿತು. ಈ ಹೋರಾಟದ ಮಧ್ಯೆ, ಕೆಲವು ಹನಿ ಅಮೃತವು ಭೂಮಿಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಬಿದ್ದಿತು. ಅಮೃತದ ಹನಿಗಳು ಎಲ್ಲಿ ಬಿದ್ದರೂ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳವನ್ನು ಆಯೋಜಿಸಲಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಪ್ರಯಾಗ್, ಹರಿದ್ವಾರ, ನಾಸಿಕ್ ಮತ್ತು ಉಜೈನಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅಮೃತದ ಹನಿಗಳು ಬಿದ್ದಿದ್ದವು.

ಸೂರ್ಯ ಮಂತ್ರಗಳಾವುವು..? ಸೂರ್ಯ ಮಂತ್ರದ ಪ್ರಯೋಜನಗಳೇನು..?

​ದೇವರುಗಳಿಗೆ ವಿಶೇಷ ಬೆಂಬಲವಿತ್ತು

ಅಮೃತವನ್ನು ಎಳೆಯುವಲ್ಲಿ, ಚಂದ್ರನು ಅಮೃತವನ್ನು ಹರಿಯದಂತೆ ಉಳಿಸಿದ್ದನು ಮತ್ತು ನಂತರ ಗುರು ಬೃಹಸ್ಪತಿ ದೇವನು ಚಿತಾಭಸ್ಮವನ್ನು ಒಂದೆಡೆ ಯಾರಿಗೂ ಕಾಣದಂತೆ ಎತ್ತಿಟ್ಟಿದ್ದ, ಸೂರ್ಯದೇವ ಕಲಶ ಸ್ಪೋಟಿಸದಂತೆ ರಕ್ಷಿಸಿದನು ಮತ್ತು ಶನಿದೇವ ಇಂದ್ರನ ಕೋಪವನ್ನು ನಿಯಂತ್ರಿಸಿದನು. ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ, ಈ ಗ್ರಹಗಳ ಸಂಯೋಜನೆಯು ಒಂದು ರಾಶಿಚಕ್ರದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದಾಗ, ನಂತರ ಮಹಾ ಕುಂಭವನ್ನು ಆಯೋಜಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಏಕೆಂದರೆ ಅಮೃತ ಕಲಶವು ಈ ಗ್ರಹಗಳ ಸಂಯೋಜನೆಯಿಂದ ರಕ್ಷಿಸಲ್ಪಟ್ಟಿತು, ಅದರ ನಂತರ ದೇವರುಗಳು ವಿಷ್ಣುವಿನ ಸಹಾಯದಿಂದ ಅಮೃತವನ್ನು ಸೇವಿಸಿದರು.

ಶಿವಲಿಂಗಕ್ಕೆ ಹಾಲು ಅರ್ಪಿಸಿದರೆ ವ್ಯವಹಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಗತಿ..! ಈ ಅಭಿಷೇಕವೇ ಮಾಡಿ

​ಈ ಸಮಯದಿಂದ ಕುಂಭ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ

ವೈದಿಕ ಜ್ಯೋತಿಷ್ಯದ ಪ್ರಕಾರ, ಬೃಹಸ್ಪತಿ ಅಥವಾ ಗುರುವು ಒಂದೇ ರಾಶಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸುಮಾರು ಒಂದು ವರ್ಷಗಳ ಕಾಲ ವಾಸಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ ಮತ್ತು ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ರಾಶಿಚಕ್ರವನ್ನು ಪ್ರಯಾಣಿಸಲು ಅವರಿಗೆ 12 ವರ್ಷಗಳು ಬೇಕಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ 12 ವರ್ಷಗಳ ನಂತರ ಈ ಪವಿತ್ರ ಸ್ಥಳಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಂಭಮೇಳವನ್ನು ಆಯೋಜಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಪ್ರತಿ ಮೂರು ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಗೊಮ್ಮೆ ಕುಂಭಕ್ಕೆ ನಿಗದಿಯಾದ ವಿವಿಧ ಸ್ಥಳಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಜಾತ್ರೆ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತದೆ. ಗುರುವು ಕುಂಭರಾಶಿಯಲ್ಲಿದ್ದಾಗ ಮತ್ತು ಸೂರ್ಯ ಮೇಷ ರಾಶಿಯಲ್ಲಿದ್ದಾಗ, ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳವು ಹರಿದ್ವಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಘಟಿಸಲು ಪ್ರಾರಂಭವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ.

ಸ್ತ್ರೀ ಕುಲವನ್ನೇ ಶಪಿಸಿದ್ದ ಯುಧಿಷ್ಠಿರ..! ಇಲ್ಲಿದೆ ಮಹಾಭಾರತದ ಶಾಪಗಳು

ಮಹಾಕುಂಭದ ಆಯೋಜನೆ ಹೀಗಿರುತ್ತದೆ

ಧರ್ಮಗ್ರಂಥಗಳ ಪ್ರಕಾರ, ಭೂಮಿಯ ಒಂದು ವರ್ಷ ದೇವರುಗಳಿಗೆ ಒಂದು ದಿನಕ್ಕೆ ಸಮಾನವಾಗಿರುತ್ತದೆ. ಭೂಮಿಯ ಲೆಕ್ಕಾಚಾರದ ಪ್ರಕಾರ, ದೇವರುಗಳ ಮತ್ತು ಅಸುರರ ನಡುವಿನ ಯುದ್ಧವು 12 ವರ್ಷಗಳ ಕಾಲ ನಡೆಯಿತು. ಈ ಯುದ್ಧದ ಅವಧಿ 12 ವರ್ಷಗಳು ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ 12 ವರ್ಷಗಳ ನಂತರ ಕುಂಭವನ್ನು ಆಯೋಜಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ದೇವರುಗಳ 12 ವರ್ಷಗಳು ಭೂಮಿಯ 144 ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಗೆ ಸಮನಾಗಿವೆ. ಕುಂಭಮೇಳವನ್ನು 144 ವರ್ಷಗಳ ನಂತರ ಸ್ವರ್ಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಆಯೋಜಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ ಎನ್ನುವ ನಂಬಿಕೆಯಿದೆ. ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ, ಮಹಾಕುಂಭವನ್ನು ಆ ವರ್ಷದಲ್ಲಿ ಭೂಮಿಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಆಯೋಜಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ.

ಆಲಸಿ ಎಂದಿಗೂ ಶ್ರೀಮಂತನಾಗಲಾರ ಎನ್ನುತ್ತಾನೆ ಚಾಣಕ್ಯ..! ಶ್ರೀಮಂತರಾಗೋದು ಹೇಗೆ..?

ಓದಲೇ ಬೇಕಾದ ಸುದ್ದಿ

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ನೂರು ಕೋಟಿಗೂ ಮೀರಿದ ಜನಸಂಖ್ಯೆ, ವಿವಿಧ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ, ವೈವಿಧ್ಯಮಯ ಸಂಪ್ರದಾಯ, ವಿಸ್ಮಯಕರ ಆಚರಣೆ....ಆದರೆ ಒಂದೆ ಒಂದು ನಿಯಮಿತವಾಗಿ ಬರುವ ಉತ್ಸವ. ಕೇವಲ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ದೇಶವಲ್ಲ ಬದಲಿಗೆ ಇಡಿ ಜಗತ್ತೆ ಬೆಕ್ಕಸ ಬೆರಗಾಗಿ ಭಾರತದತ್ತ ನೋಡುತ್ತದೆ. ಕೋಟಿಗಟ್ಟಲೆ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಭಕ್ತಾದಿಗಳು ಇದರಲ್ಲಿ ಪಾಲ್ಗೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಅದರಲ್ಲೂ ವಿಶೇಷವಾಗಿ ನಾಗಾ ಸಾಧುಗಳು, ಇತರೆ ಸಂತರು, ಸಾಧುಗಳು ಪ್ರಮುಖವಾಗಿ ಪಲ್ಗೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಾರೆ.

ಗೊಐಬಿಬೊ ಕೂಪನ್ಸ್ : ದೇಶೀಯ ಫ್ಲೈಟ್ ಬುಕ್ ಮಾಡಿ 10% ಕಡಿತ ಪಡೆಯಿರಿ, ಸೀಮಿತ ಕೊಡುಗೆ ಮಾತ್ರ

ವಿವಿಧ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಗಳ ಪತ್ರಕರ್ತರೂ ಸೇರಿದಂದೆ ಪ್ರಪಂಚದ ಮೂಲೆ ಮೂಲೆಗಳಿಂದ ಕುತೂಹಲ ಹೊಂದಿರುವ ವಿದೇಶಿ ಪ್ರವಾಸಿಗರು ಈ ಉತ್ಸವಕ್ಕೆಂದು ಬರುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಆ ಒಂದು ದೊಡ್ಡ ಉತ್ಸವವೆ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳ. ದೇಶದ ನಾಲ್ಕು ಸ್ಥಳಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಇದನ್ನು ಗ್ರಹ, ರಾಶಿಗಳ ಲೆಕ್ಕದ ಆಧಾರದ ಮೇಲೆ ಪ್ರತಿ 12 ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಗೊಮ್ಮೆ ಆಚರಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಪ್ರತಿ ಸ್ಥಳಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಂಭವು ಆಚರಿಸಿದಾಗ ಸಾಧು ಸಂತರ ಮಹಾ ದಂಡವೆ ಹರಿದು ಬರುತ್ತದೆ ಹಾಗೂ ಆ ಸ್ಥಳಗಳ ಕಳೆಯೆ ಒಂದು ರೀತಿಯಾಗಿ ಬದಲಾಗಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಉತ್ಸಾಹ ಪಡೆಯುತ್ತದೆ.

ವಿಶೇಷ ಲೇಖನ : ಕೊಟ್ಟಿಯೂರು ವೈಶಾಖ ಮಹೋತ್ಸವ

ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯವಾಗಿ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳದ ಹೆಸರನ್ನು ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಕೇಳಿರುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಆದರೆ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳ ಎಂದರೇನು? ಏಕೆ ಆಚರಿಸಬೇಕು? ಹೇಗೆ ಆಚರಿಸಬೇಕು? ಎಂಬುದರ ಕುರಿತು ಬಹುತೇಕರಿಗೆ ತಿಳಿದಿರಿಲಿಕ್ಕಿಲ್ಲ. ಈ ಒಂದು ನಿಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಈ ಲೇಖನವು ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳದ ಕುರಿತು ಬೆಳಕು ಚೆಲ್ಲುತ್ತದೆ.

ಇದೆ ಜುಲೈ 14, 2015 ರಂದು ನಾಶಿಕ್ ಪಟ್ಟಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳವು ಜರುಗುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳದ ಕುರಿತಿರುವ ಈ ಲೇಖನ ಓದಿ, ನಿಮಗೆ ಮನಸ್ಸಾದಲ್ಲಿ ಅಥವಾ ಇಷ್ಟವಿದ್ದಲ್ಲಿ, ಈ ಸಲ ನಾಶಿಕ್ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳಕ್ಕೆ ಭೇಟಿ ನೀಡಿ ಅದ್ಭುತ ಅನುಭವ ಪಡೆಯಿರಿ. ಈ ಅಪರೂಪದ, ಮೈಯಲ್ಲೆಲ್ಲ ವಿದ್ಯುತ್ ಸಂಚಾರ ಮೂಡಿಸುವ ಅನುಭವ ಕೇವಲ 12 ವರ್ಷಕ್ಕೊಮ್ಮೆ ಮಾತ್ರ ಲಭಿಸುವಂಥದ್ದು.

ಇಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳು ಕಳೆದ ಸಮಯದ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳದ ವಿವಿಧ ಸ್ಥಳಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಆಚರಿಸಲಾದ ಉತ್ಸವದ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳಾಗಿವೆ.

ಮೋಡಿ ಮಾಡಿರುವ ಕುಂಭ:

ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳವು ಭಾರತ ದೇಶದ ಅತಿ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಧಾರ್ಮಿಕ ಉತ್ಸವವಾಗಿದೆ. ಈ ಮಹಾನ್ ಉತ್ಸವವು ದೇಶದ ನಾಲ್ಕು ಸ್ಥಳಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅದರಲ್ಲೂ ವಿಶೇಷವಾಗಿ ಬೇರೆ ಬೇರೆ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರತಿ 12 ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಗೊಮ್ಮೆ ಜರುಗುತ್ತದೆ.

ಚಿತ್ರಕೃಪೆ: Stefania Zamparelli

ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳವು ಆಚರಿಸಲ್ಪಡುವ ನಾಲ್ಕು ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಸ್ಥಳಗಳೆಂದರೆ ಪ್ರಯಾಗ್ (ಅಲಹಾಬಾದ್), ನಾಶಿಕ್, ಹರಿದ್ವಾರ ಹಾಗೂ ಉಜ್ಜಯಿನಿ. ಯಾವ ಸ್ಥಳಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳ ಯಾವಾಗ ಆಚರಿಸಬೇಕೆಂಬುದರ ಕುರಿತು ಲೆಕ್ಕಾಚಾರವಿದ್ದು ಅದರಂತೆ ಆಯಾ ಸ್ಥಳಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರತಿ ಹನ್ನೆರಡು ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಗೊಮ್ಮೆ ಈ ಮೇಳವನ್ನು ಆಚರಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಹರಿದ್ವಾರದಲ್ಲಿನ ಕುಂಭ.

ಚಿತ್ರಕೃಪೆ: wikipedia

ಉದಾಹರಣೆಗೆ ಗುರು ಮತ್ತು ಸೂರ್ಯನು ಸಿಂಹ ರಾಶಿಯಲ್ಲಿದ್ದಾಗ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳವನ್ನು ನಾಶಿಕ್ ನ ತ್ರಿಯಂಬಕೇಶ್ವರದಲ್ಲಿ ಆಚರಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಇದನ್ನು ಸಿಂಹಸ್ಥ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳ ಎಂತಲೂ ಕರೆಯಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಸೂರ್ಯನು ಮೇಷ ರಾಶಿಯಲ್ಲಿದ್ದಾಗ ಹರಿದ್ವಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳವನ್ನು ಆಚರಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಅಲಹಾಬಾದ್ ನಲ್ಲಿನ ಕುಂಭ.

ಚಿತ್ರಕೃಪೆ: Lokankara

ಅದೆ ರೀತಿಯಾಗಿ ಗುರು ವೃಷಭ ರಾಶಿಯಲ್ಲಿಯೂ, ಸೂರ್ಯ ಮಕರ ರಾಶಿಯಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಪ್ರವೇಶಿಸಿದಾಗ ಕುಂಬ ಮೇಳವು ಪ್ರಯಾಗ್ (ಅಲಹಾಬಾದ್)ನಲ್ಲಿ ಆಚರಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಕೊನೆಯದಾಗಿ ಗುರು ಹಾಗೂ ಸೂರ್ಯನು ವೃಶ್ಚಿಕ ರಾಶಿ ಪ್ರವೇಶಿಸಿದಾಗ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳವು ಉಜ್ಜಯಿನಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಆಚರಿಸಲ್ಪಡುತ್ತದೆ. ನಾಶಿಕ್ ನ ಗೋದಾವರಿ ತಟದಲ್ಲಿ ಜರುಗಿದ ಕುಂಭ.

ಚಿತ್ರಕೃಪೆ: AnandKatgaonkar

ಈ ನಾಲ್ಕೇ ಸ್ಥಳಗಳು ಏಕೆ? ಹೀಗೊಂದು ವಿಚಾರ ಮೂಡಲೂ ಬಹುದು. ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಉತ್ತರವಾಗಿ ಹೇಳಲಾಗುವ ಕಥೆ ಎಂದರೆ ಹಿಂದೆ ಸಮುದ್ರ ಮಂಥನದಿಂದ ಪಡೆದ ಅಮೃತವನ್ನು ಭಗವಾನ್ ವಿಷ್ಣು ದಾನವರಿಗೆ ಸಿಗದ ಹಾಗೆ ಸ್ವತಃ ತಾನೆ ಒಯ್ಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾಗ ಆತುರಾತುರದಲ್ಲಿ ಅಮೃತದ ನಾಲ್ಕು ಹನಿಗಳು ಬಿದ್ದ ನಾಲ್ಕು ಸ್ಥಳಗಳಲ್ಲೆ ಇಂದು ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳವು ಆಚರಿಸಲ್ಪಡುತ್ತದೆ. ನಾಶಿಕ್ ನ ತ್ರಿಯಂಬಕ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದ ಪಾಕ್ಷಿಕ ನೋಟ.

ಚಿತ್ರಕೃಪೆ: ParikshitNashik

ಹನ್ನೆರಡು ವರ್ಷಗಳೇ ಏಕೆ? ಇದಕ್ಕೂ ಉತ್ತರವಾಗಿ ಸಮುದ್ರ ಮಂಥನದಿಂದ ಬಂದ ಅಮೃತವೆ ಆಗಿದೆ. ಮೊದ ಮೊದಲು ದೇವತೆಗಳು ದಾನವರಿಗೆ ಅಮೃತ ಸಿಗದ ಹಾಗೆ ಸ್ವರ್ಗಲೋಕ, ಮೃತ್ಯುಲೋಕ ಹಾಗೂ ಪಾತಾಳಲೋಕಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಬಚ್ಚಿಟ್ಟಿದ್ದರು. ಮೃತ್ಯುಲೋಕ ಅಂದರೆ ಭೂಮಿಯ ಮೇಲಿದ್ದಾದ ಬರೋಬ್ಬರಿ 12 ದಿನಗಳಷ್ಟು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ತಂಗಿದ್ದರು ಹಗೂ ದೇವತೆಗಳ ಒಂದು ದಿನ ಮೃತ್ಯುಲೋಕದ ಒಂದು ವರ್ಷಕ್ಕೆ ಸಮನಾದುದರಿಂದ ಪ್ರತಿ 12 ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಗೊಮ್ಮೆ ಇದನ್ನು ಆಚರಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ತ್ರಿಯಂಬಕೇಶ್ವರದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಸ್ನಾನ ಮಾಡಲಾಗುವ ಕುಶವರ್ತ ಕುಂಡ.

ಚಿತ್ರಕೃಪೆ: Demorphica

ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ಪೌರಾಣಿಕ ಕಥೆಯ ಪ್ರಕಾರ ಒಮ್ಮೆ ಶಿವನು ಎಲ್ಲ ಪುಣ್ಯ ತೀರ್ಥಗಳನ್ನು ಕರೆಯಿಸಿ ಅವರನ್ನು ಕುರಿತು ಮೃತ್ಯುಲೋಕದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಪಾಪ ಕರ್ಮಿಗಳನ್ನು ಅವರ ಪಾಪಗಳಿಂದ ಮುಕ್ತರನ್ನಾಗಿ ಮಾಡಲು ಆದೇಶಿಸಿದರು. ಅದರಂತೆ ಎಲ್ಲ ತೀರ್ಥಗಳು ಭೂಮಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ನೆಲೆಸಿ ಪಾಪ ಕರ್ಮಾದಿಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿದವರ ಪಾಪಗಳನ್ನು ನಶಿಸಹತ್ತಿದರು. ಅಲಹಾಬಾದ್ ಕುಂಭ.

ಚಿತ್ರಕೃಪೆ: Yosarian

ಆದರೆ ಇದರಿಂದ ಸ್ವತಃ ತೀರ್ಥಗಳೆ ಪಾಪಗಳಿಂದ ತುಂಬ ತೊಡಗಿದರು. ಇದರಿಂದ ಬೇಸರಗೊಂಡ ಅವರು ಮತ್ತೆ ಶಿವನ ಬಳಿ ತೆರಳಿ ತಮ್ಮ ಅಳಲನ್ನು ತೋಡಿಕೊಂಡರು. ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಶಿವನು ಅವರನ್ನು ಕುರಿತು ಗೋದಾವರಿ ತಟಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗಿ ಏಕಾಂತದಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದು ವರ್ಷಗಳ ಕಾಲ ನೆಲೆಸಿ, ನಿಮ್ಮ ಜೊತೆ ನಾನು ಹಾಗು ದೇವತೆಗಳೆಲ್ಲರೂ ಇರುತ್ತೇವೆಂದು ಹೇಳಿ ನಂತರ ಗೋದಾವರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪವಿತ್ರ ಸ್ನಾನ ಮಾಡಿದಾಗ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಎಲ್ಲ ಪಾಪಕರ್ಮಗಳು ನಶಿಸುತ್ತವೆಂದು ಹೇಳಿದರು.

ಚಿತ್ರಕೃಪೆ: commonswiki

ಹೀಗಾಗಿ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳವು ಪವಿತ್ರ ಸ್ನಾನ ಅಥವಾ ಶಾಹಿ ಸ್ನಾನಕ್ಕೆ ಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧಿ ಪಡೆದಿದೆ. ಈ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಪವಿತ್ರ ಸ್ನಾನ ಮಾಡಿದನ್ಯಾರೆ ಇರಲಿ ಅವರೆಲ್ಲರ ಸಕಲ ಪಾಪ ಕರ್ಮಗಳು ಕ್ಷಣ ಮಾತ್ರದಲ್ಲೆ ನಶಿಸಿ ಹೋಗುತ್ತವೆನ್ನಲಾಗಿದೆ. 2007 ರ ಅಲಹಾಬಾದ್ ಕುಂಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಭಕ್ತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪರವಶರಾಗಿರುವ ನಾಗಾ ಸಾಧುಗಳ ನರ್ತನ.

ಚಿತ್ರಕೃಪೆ: elishams

ಶಿವಪುರಾಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಿಂಹಸ್ಥ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳದ ಕುರಿತು ಮಹತ್ವವನ್ನು ವಿವರಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಒಮ್ಮೆ ಗೌತಮಮುನಿಯ ಪಾಪವನ್ನು ನಿಗ್ರಹಿಸಲು ಶಿವನ ಕೋರಿಕೆಯಂತೆ ಗಂಗೆಯು ಭೂಮಿಗೆ ಬಂದಿಳಿದಳು. ತದ ನಂತರ ಅವಳು ಮರಳಿ ತನ್ನ ಜಾಗಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗಬೇಕೆಂದಾಗ ಸಕಲ ಋಷಿ-ಮುನಿಗಳು, ದೇವತೆಗಳಾದಿಯಾಗಿ ಗಂಗೆಯನ್ನು ಕುರಿತು ಲೋಕಕಲ್ಯಣಾರ್ಥವಾಗಿ ಇಲ್ಲಿಯೆ ನೆಲೆಸಲು ಕೋರಿಕೊಂಡರು. ವಿದೇಶಿಯರೂ ಆಕರ್ಷಿತರಾಗಿ ಪೂಜೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ತೊಡಗಿಕೊಂಡಿರುವುದು.

ಚಿತ್ರಕೃಪೆ: Ranveig

ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಗಂಗೆಯು ಒಪ್ಪಿ ಅವರನ್ನು ಕುರಿತು ನೀವು ನನ್ನ ಜೊತೆ ನೆಲೆಸಬೇಕೆಂದು ವಿನಂತಿಸಿದಾಗ ಅದಕ್ಕೊವರೊಪ್ಪಿ ಯಾವಾಗ ಸೂರ್ಯ ಹಾಗೂ ಗುರು ಸೀಂಹ ರಾಶಿಯನ್ನು ಪ್ರವೇಶಿಸುತ್ತಾರೊ ಅಂದು ನಾವು ನಿನ್ನ ಜೊತೆ ಭೂಮಿಯ ಮೇಲಿರುತ್ತೇವೆಂದು ಅಭಯ ನೀಡಿದರು. ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ನಾಶಿಕ್ ಪಟ್ಟಣದ ತ್ರಿಯಂಬಕೇಶ್ವರದಲ್ಲಿ ಜರುಗುವ ಸಿಂಹಸ್ಥ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳಕ್ಕೆ ದೇಶದ ಮೂಲೆ ಮೂಲೆಗಳಿಂದ ಭಕ್ತಾದಿಗಳು ಸಾಗರದಂತೆ ಹರಿದು ಬರುತ್ತಾರೆ. 2013 ರ ಅಲಹಾಬಾದ್ ಕುಂಭದಲ್ಲಿ ತಮ್ಮ ಭಕ್ತರೊಂದಿಗೆ ಶ್ರೀ ಕೇಶವಾನಂದ ಭಾರತಿ ಸ್ವಾಮಿಗಳು

ಚಿತ್ರಕೃಪೆ: Bharathiya

ಮುಂದೆ ಶ್ರೀರಾಮನು ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳದ ಮಹತ್ವವನ್ನು ಅರಿತು ತ್ರಿಯಂಬಕೇಶ್ವರದಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದು ವರ್ಷಗಳ ಕಾಲ ವಾಸ ಮಾಡಿ ಯಾತ್ರೆ, ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧ ಮುಂತಾದ ಧಾರ್ಮಿಕ ಕೈಂಕರ್ಯಗಳನ್ನು ಕುಶವರ್ತದ ಬಳಿ ಸಂಪನ್ನಗೊಳಿಸಿದ. 2010 ರ ಹರಿದ್ವಾರ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳ.

ಚಿತ್ರಕೃಪೆ: Edson Walker

ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳದಲ್ಲಿ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಪವಿತ್ರ ಹಾಗೂ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಚಟುವಟಿಕೆಯೆಂದರೆ ಸ್ನಾನ ಮಾಡುವುದಾಗಿದೆ. ಇದಕ್ಕೆಂತಲೆ ಹಲವು ವಿವಿಧ ಹೆಸರಿನ ಸ್ಥಳಗಳು ನಾಲ್ಕೂ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿವೆ. ಒಟ್ಟಾರೆ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳ ನಿರ್ವಹಣಾ ಸಮೀತಿಯು ವಿವಿಧ ಸ್ಥಳಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಯಾವ ಯಾವ ಪಂಥದವರು ಮೊದಲು, ತದನಂತರ ಸ್ನಾನ ಮಾಡಬೇಕೆಂದು ನಿಗದಿಪಡಿಸಿರುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಅದರಂತೆಯೆ ಆಯಾ ಪಂಥಗಳ ಜನರು ಶಿಸ್ತುಬದ್ಧವಾಗಿ ಸ್ನಾನ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಜನಸ್ತೋಮ ಸ್ನಾನಕ್ಕೆಂದು ನದಿಯೆಡೆ ಹೊರಡುತ್ತಿರುವುದು.

ಚಿತ್ರಕೃಪೆ: Stuti

ಉದಾಹರಣೆಗೆ ಹರಿದ್ವಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ಜರುಗುವ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳದಲ್ಲಿ ನಿರಂಜಿನಿ ಗೋಸಾವಿ ಪಂಥದವರ್ ಮೊದಲು ಮಿಂದರೆ, ನಂತರದಲ್ಲಿ ನಿರ್ವಾಣಿ ಗೋಸಾವಿಯರು ಸ್ನಾನ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಅದೇ ನಾಶಿಕ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಇದರ ವ್ಯತಿರಿಕ್ತವಾಗಿರುತ್ತದೆ. ಕುಂಭದ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ನಾಗಾ ಸಾಧುವೊಬ್ಬ ಧೂಮ್ರಪಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ನಿರತನಾಗಿರುವ ದೃಶ್ಯ.

ಚಿತ್ರಕೃಪೆ: Roshan Travel Photography

ನಾಶಿಕ್ ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳವೂ ಸಹ ಅತಿ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಪ್ರಮಾಣದ ಕುಂಭೋತ್ಸವವಾಗಿದ್ದು ಲಕ್ಷಾನುಗಟ್ಟಲೆ ಜನರನ್ನು ಆಕರ್ಷಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ನಾಶಿಕ್ ಪಟ್ಟಣ, ತ್ರಿಯಂಬಕೇಶ್ವರ ಹಾಗೂ ಸುತ್ತಮುತ್ತಲಿನ ಪ್ರದೇಶಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಉಲುವು ತುಂಬಿಕೊಂಡು ಮದುವೆಯ/ಜಾತ್ರೆಯ ಸಮಾರಂಭದಂತೆ ವಾತಾವರಣ ಏರಪಟ್ಟಿರುತ್ತದೆ. ಕುಂಭದ ಉತ್ಸವಕ್ಕೆ ಚಾಲನೆ ನೀಡುವ ಮೊದಲು.

ನಾಶಿಕ್ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನಿಂದ 1120 ಕಿ.ಮೀ, ಬೆಳಗಾವಿಯಿಂದ 620 ಕಿ.ಮೀ ಹಾಗೂ ಪುಣೆಯಿಂದ 210 ಕಿ.ಮೀಗಳಷ್ಟು ದೂರವಿದ್ದು ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ರಸ್ತೆ ಸಂಪರ್ಕ ಹಾಗೂ ರೈಲು ಸಂಪರ್ಕವನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿದೆ. ದಕ್ಷಿಣ ಭಾರತದಿಂದ ಹೋಗಬಯಸುವವರು ಪುಣೆಗೆ ತೆರಳಿ ಅಲ್ಲಿಂದ ನಾಶಿಕ್ ತಲುಪಬಹುದು. ಅಲಹಾಬಾದಿನ ಮಹಾ ಕುಂಭ ನಗರಿ.

ಕುಂಭ ಮೇಳದಲ್ಲಿ ನಾಗಾ ಸಾಧುಗಳ ಬಿಡಾರ. ವಿಚಿತ್ರ ವೇಶ ಭೂಷಣಗಳು ಪ್ರಧಾನವಾಗಿ ವಿದೇಶಿ ಪ್ರವಾಸಿಗರನ್ನು ಆಕರ್ಷಿಸುತ್ತವೆ.

ಶಂಖ ಊದುವುದರಲ್ಲಿ ನಿರತನಾದ ಒಬ್ಬ ಭಕ್ತ.

ಲೋಕಃ ಸಮಸ್ತಃ ಸುಖಿನೋ ಭವಂತು... ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯದಾಗಲಿ...

ಚಿತ್ರಕೃಪೆ: Sreeram Nambiar

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Just before going to the “ Kumbh Mela Facts, History, Information, Significance, Importance | What is the purpose of the Kumbh Mela? | Who started Kumbh Mela? | How many years to celebrate Kumbh Mela? | What is the secret of Kumbh Mela? | Why is Kumbh Mela celebrated “, let us have a brief idea and information.

First of all, let us know what does the term ‘कुंभ / ಕುಂಭ / Kumbh / Kumbha’ signify:  Literally, Kumbha means an auspicious water pot. It signifies a container and water in the pot.

[Remember the KumbhKarna of Ramayana. He was the brother of Ravana. He is so called because he had huge ears (Karna) and those ears were in the shape of Kumbh (pots) and thus the name KumbhKarna (KumbhaKarna).]

In a religious parlance Kumbha is compared with a Kalash(a), which is nothing but a Pot (घट / ಘಟ / ghaṭa / Ghata) containing water with other divine ingredients.

A Kalasha (or a Kumbha) is considered as highly divine and holy symbol in Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma).

A Kalasha can generally be made out of the following material, that is, earthen (mud), copper, brass, silver, gold depending on one’s capacity and occasion.

Also, Kumbha is an astrological sign Aquarius (i.e., Kumbha Rashi) 11th house in the natural zodiac whose Lord is Sri Shani Deva / Saturn.

Traditionally speaking, we should always remember that a Kalasha is being used in all the Hindu religious ceremonies, that is, Nitya Karma, Deva Karya (E.g., Daily Pooja, Homa, Vrata etc.), Shubha Karya (E.g., Marriage, Gruha Pravesha etc.); Pitru Karya etc.

Apart from the above, we also use Kalasha being on special occasions like while welcoming a distinguished personality (Purna-Kumbha).

In devalaya / temple ceremonies, we come across a ceremony called ‘Kumbhabhishekam’ (Kumbha Abhishekam) where, top of the temple tower (In Sanskrit it is known as ‘Shikhara’) is denoted as Kumbha is given a ceremonial sacred bath with holy waters at the time of consecration and also at periodical intervals.

Next Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj : In the year 2025, Mahakumbh Mela will start from the bathing festival of Paush Purnima on 13 January 2025 and will end on Mahashivratri on 26 February 2025.

Kalasha shloka that we usually come across indicates the significance and symbolism of Kalasha:

कलशस्य मुखे विष्णु,कण्ठे रुद्र समाश्रितः | मूले तत्र स्थितो ब्राह्मो मध्ये मात्रुगणास्म्रुतः || कुक्षौ तु सागरास्सर्वे सप्त द्विपा वसुन्धरा |

ऋग्वेदोऽपि यजुर्वेद: सामवेदोह्यथवर्णः || अन्गैश्च सहितासर्वे कलशाम्बु समाश्रिताः |

ಕಲಶಸ್ಯ ಮುಖೇ ವಿಷ್ಣು, ಕಂಠೇ ರುದ್ರ ಸಮಾಶ್ರಿತಾಃ | ಮುಲೇ ತತ್ರ ಸ್ಥಿತೋ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮೋ ಮಧ್ಯೆ ಮಾತೃಗಣಾಸ್ಮೃತಃ || ಕುಕ್ಷೌ ತು ಸಾಗರಾಸ್ಸರ್ವೇ ಸಪ್ತ ದ್ವಿಪಾ ವಸುಂಧರಾ |

ಋಗ್ವೇದೋऽಪಿ ಯಜುರ್ವೇದ: ಸಾಮವೇದೋಹ್ಯಥರ್ವಣಃ || ಅಂಗೈಶ್ಚ ಸಹಿತಾಸರ್ವೇ ಕಲಶಾಮ್ಬು ಸಮಾಶ್ರಿತಾಃ |

kalaśasya mukhē viṣṇu, kaṇṭhē rudra samāśritāḥ | mulē tatra sthitō brahmō madhye mātr̥gaṇāsmr̥taḥ || kukṣau tu sāgarās’sarvē sapta dvipā vasundharā |

r̥gvēdō̕pi yajurvēda: Sāmavēdōhyatharvaṇaḥ || aṅgaiśca sahitāsarvē kalaśāmbu samāśritāḥ |

Sloka meaning:  Bhagavan Lord Sri Vishnu resides in the mouth of the Kalasha (Kumbha / Kumbh), Sri Rudra Deva (Shiva) is in the neck; At the bottom Sri Brahma Deva resides; in the middle are the divine mothers;

In the stomach exist all seas and seven islands of this earth;  Rig Deva, Yajur Deva, Saama Deva and Atharavana Veda with all Vedangas are also present in the water.

In the ultimate way, a Kumbha signifies cosmic womb that of Bhagavan Lord Sri Vishnu who is Hiranyagarbhah and which is source of origin of the universe from where creation took place.

We should note that, Kumbha is one of the unlimited names of Bhagavan Sri Vishnu. The reference to this can be seen in the Sri Vishnu Sahasranama in shloka 68, that is,

अर्चिष्मानर्चितः कुम्भो विशुद्धात्मा विशोधनः । अनिरुद्धोऽप्रतिरथः प्रद्युम्नोऽमितविक्रमः ॥ 68 ॥

ಅರ್ಚಿಷ್ಮಾನರ್ಚಿತಃ ಕುಂಭೋ ವಿಶುದ್ಧಾತ್ಮಾ ವಿಶೋಧನಃ । ಅನಿರುದ್ಧೋಽಪ್ರತಿರಥಃ ಪ್ರದ್ಯುಮ್ನೋಽಮಿತವಿಕ್ರಮಃ ॥ 68 ॥

arciṣmānarcitaḥ kumbhō viśud’dhātmā viśōdhanaḥ। anirud’dhō̕pratirathaḥ pradyumnō̕mitavikramaḥ॥ 68॥

Bhagavan Lord Sri Vishnu is the one who contains in Himself everything in the universe as water in a pot. Water is another form of Bhagavan Sri Vishnu – नारायण / ನಾರಾಯಣ / nārāyaṇa / Narayana whose abode is water, the one who moves (floats) in the infinite water and is also the water itself.

(Just after the MahaPralaya, Bhagavan Lord Sri Vishnu sleeps on a leaf. This leaf will be floating on water. For this reason, Bhagavan Sri Vishnu is also known as Narayana.)

(नारा / Naaraa means water, and Ayana means sleeping. This means, Bhagavan Lord Sri Narayana sleeps on the water after the MahaPralaya.)

Bhagavan Sri Vishnu is known as He is called as omnipotent (सर्वशक्त / ಸರ್ವಶಕ್ತ / sarvaśakta), omnipresent (सर्वव्यापि / ಸರ್ವವ್ಯಾಪಿ / sarvavyāpi) and omniscient (सर्वज्ञ / ಸರ್ವಜ್ಞ / sarvajña).

Therefore, the divine theory of of Kumbha Mela is nothing but, the worship of Bhagavan Sri Vishnu and thus he is known as जगद्योनि / ಜಗದ್ಯೋನಿ / jagadyōni / Jagadyoni (Bhagavan Sri Vishnu is the grand first of all).

Thus, we should always pay our obeisance to the primordial Sarvottama / Supreme Bhagavan Sri Narayana who is present in all the unlimited ‘Rivers and Teerthas’ as अंतर्यामि / ಅಂತರ್ಯಾಮಿ / antaryāmi / Antaryami.

Information about festival Kumbh Mela: The Kumbh Mela, the celebration and festivity of the auspicious sacred kumbh / pitcher is anchored in Hindu Sanatana Dharma.

As we all know, Kumbh Meala is the largest open social gathering occasion and it is the collective act of holy beliefs & faith of India and this festival is celebrated since unknown age.

The Mela (A huge gathering) draws a large number of devotees from all over a country, through the span of 48 days to bath at the most holy waters of the most divine rivers of Triveni Sangam, that is, Ganga, the Yamuna, and the Guptagamini (The mysterious Saraswati).

Basically, this huge get-together incorporates not only common people, but also divine Saints, Sadhus, Ascetics, Sadhvis, Pilgrims etc. from varying backgrounds from not only all across India, but from around the world too.

In Hindu Sanatana Dharma, a Kumbh Mela is a Dharmic journey that is commended various times over a course of 12 years.

The geological area of Kumbh Mela spans over four locations in India, and the Mela site continues rotating between one of the four pilgrimages on four holy rivers as given below:

1. Prayagraj at the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the legendary Guptagamini (Saraswati) in Uttar Pradesh.

2. Haridwar on the Ganges in Uttarakhand.  3. Ujjain on the Shipra in Madhya Pradesh.  4. Nashik on the Godavari in Maharashtra

Bathing dates in Prayagraj Kumbh Mela: Taking a Snan (Divine bath) in the holy waters on all days of Prayagraj Kumbh beginning from Makar Sankranti (first day of the period of Magha maas, when the Sun enters Makar rashi / Capricorn) is viewed as highly blessed days, yet there are some divine showering dates too.

There are magnificent processions of saints and their disciples, and members of various Akharas take part in the holy custom of Snan (Divine bath) also known as ‘Rajyogi Snan’ at the start of Kumbh.

Snan (Divine bath) is the highlight of Kumbh Mela and the most important part of the festival, where large number of devotees take part in it.

It is basically after the Snan (Divine bath) is finished, that individual people are allowed to take the divine bath, in the belief that the people will get the added benefits of the essence of holy deeds and considerations of the saints by taking the plunge after them.

In Kumbh Mela, usually 12 crores of people / devotees took the Snan (Divine bath) at the auspicious Kumbh Mela.

More than 16 lakh devotees took a holy dip here at the Sangam of Prayagraj, that is, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the Guptagamini (Mystical Saraswati), on the promising occasion of Makar Sankranti day, denoting the beginning of the Kumbh Mela.

Sadhus, Saints, Rishis, etc. of 13 akharas (That is, 7 Shaiva, 3 Vaishnava, 2 Udasina, and 1 Sikh) who have customarily taken an interest in the Kumbh Mela, were the first to take the holy bath known as ‘Shahi Snan’ (Divine bath) on the essential day of the 55-day long Kumbh Mela.

Usually, Lakhs of devotees take the ‘Shahi Snan’ or divine dip on ‘Mauni Amavasya’, which is the most significant of all the sacred bathing days at the Kumbh Mela.

Why Mahakumbh Mela at Prayag (Prayagraj) is celebrated once in 12 years?

Answer: Since unknown time, we Hindus are celebrating the Great Mahakumbh Mela at Prayag (Prayagraj) once in every 12 years. This is based on Brahaspati / Guru graha (Planet Jupiter) movement.

Anyone who knows about the movement of Brahaspati / Guru graha (Planet Jupiter) should know that, this graha / planet takes 12 Earth years to complete one full rotation around the Sun and definitely there is influence of this Planet Jupiter on Earth.

Now, let me know who is forward in Science & Technology since unknown time. Indians (Hindus) or so called educated or developed foreigners?

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Kumbh Mela: Origins and Lore

Manan Kapoor

The author is Copy Editor and Writer with Sahapedia.org

Undoubtedly one of the largest congregations of religious pilgrims, the Kumbh Mela has captured the imagination of people across the world. Included in UNESCO’s list of the 'Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’, the festival has many myths and lore associated both with its origins and the many rituals performed during the 55 days that it is held. While it is popularly believed to find mention in the Vedas and Puranas, many scholars have argued that this scriptural reference is possibly more recent and was made to give it antiquity. Irrespective of the differences in opinion and scholarship, there is no denying the socio-cultural significance of the Kumbh Mela for Hindus and Indians.

The Kumbh Mela is a tremendous display of faith—a festival that attracts millions of pilgrims from around the world. It is popularly believed that the Mela, or fair, has roots in the Puranas and the Vedas, and that taking a dip in the holy water during the festival grants one moksha, escape from the cycle of birth and death. However, over time, many scholars have pointed out that there is no mention of the Kumbh Mela in the ancient texts and have suggested that the association with the canons was more recent, in order to add to its antiquity . (Also read: Kumbh Mela: Do Our Vedic Texts Mention this Unique Pilgrimage?)

Held at regular intervals of six, 12 and 144 years, across the four cities of Prayagraj (erstwhile Allahabad), Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik, the festival is regarded as one of the world’s largest pilgrimages. Over the centuries, the fair has also been recorded by world travellers such as Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) and Mark Twain, and documented widely under the British colonial rule. The shahi snans (ritualistic baths) and mass congregation of ascetics who have otherwise renounced the world are key elements of the festival.

Interestingly, not only is the Kumbh Mela significant for Hindus and those on a spiritual path, but thanks to the Indian film industry, it was also a key part of pop culture rubric through the 1970s and 1980s. Those who are familiar with the movies from that era would easily recall the line ‘ Kumbh ke mele mein bhichhde hue… ’, referring to siblings or family who have been separated at the Kumbh Mela, only to reconnect years later. This wasn’t far from the truth as a fair number of people would be registered missing at the fair each time. However, in recent years, the congregation has witnessed various administrative and technological changes that led to not a single missing person at the Kumbh Mela in 2015 in Nashik. The one in 2013, at Prayagraj, reportedly had 2,25,000 missing people.

While the Mela is widely reported each time, the 2019 edition’s headlines had much to do with the controversial name change of the city of Allahabad to Prayagraj just a fortnight before it was due to begin on January 4. The proposition for this change in name had been in place for more than two decades.

Irrespective of its historicity, the Kumbh Mela holds an important position in the Indian cultural landscape, and the charm and grandeur of the majestic festival has remained unmatched. This photo essay explores the magnificence of the Kumbh Mela, while shedding some light on its history and the narratives that revolve around the festival.

(The photographs were submitted as part of the #KumbhStories campaign run by Sahapedia during the Ardh Kumbh at Prayagraj, January to March 2019)

Bibliography

Singh, Pratyush. ‘The Role of Kumbh Mela in the Cultural Developments of Allahabad A Study in Cultural Geography’. PhD thesis, Department of Geography, University of Allahabad, 2013.

MacLean, Kama. ‘Making the Colonial State Work for You: The Modern Beginnings of the Ancient Kumbh Mela in Allahabad,’  The Journal of Asian Studies  62, no. 3 (2003): 886.

Lochtefeld, James G. ‘Getting in Line: The Kumbh Mela Festival Processions.’ In South Asian Religions on Display , edited by Knut A. Jacobsen. New York: Routledge, 2008.

Maclean, Kama.  Pilgrimage and Power: The Kumbh Mela in Allahabad 1765-1954 . USA: Oxford University Press, 2008 .

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Kumbh Mela , in Hinduism , religious festival that is celebrated four times over the course of 12 years, the site of the observance rotating between four pilgrimage places on four sacred rivers—at Haridwar on the Ganges River , at Ujjain on the Shipra, at Nashik on the Godavari , and at Prayag (modern Prayagraj ) at the confluence of the Ganges, the Jamuna , and the mythical Sarasvati . Each site’s celebration is based on a distinct set of astrological positions of the Sun, the Moon, and Jupiter, the holiest time occurring at the exact moment when these positions are fully occupied. The Kumbh Mela at Prayag, in particular, attracts millions of pilgrims. In addition, a Great Kumbh Mela festival is held every 144 years at Prayag, most recently in 2001. The Kumbh Mela lasts several weeks and is one of the largest festivals in the world, attracting more than 200 million people in 2019, including 50 million on the festival’s most auspicious day.

Attendees at the Kumbh Mela come from all sections of Hindu religious life, ranging from sadhu s (holy men), who remain naked year-round or practice the most severe physical discipline , to hermits, who leave their isolation only for these pilgrimages, and even to silk-clad teachers using the latest technology . The religious organizations represented range from social welfare societies to political lobbyists. Vast crowds of disciples , friends, and spectators join the individual ascetics and organizations. The naga akhada s, militant ascetic orders whose members formerly made their livings as mercenary soldiers and traders, often claim the holiest spots at each Kumbh Mela’s most propitious moment. Although the Indian government now enforces an established bathing order, history records bloody disputes between groups vying for precedence .

Tradition ascribes the Kumbh Mela’s origin to the 8th-century philosopher Shankara , who instituted regular gatherings of learned ascetics for discussion and debate. The founding myth of the Kumbh Mela—attributed to the Purana s (collections of myth and legend)—recounts how the gods and demons fought over the pot ( kumbha ) of amrita , the elixir of immortality produced by their joint churning of the milky ocean . During the struggle, drops of the elixir fell on the Kumbh Mela’s four earthly sites, and the rivers are believed to turn back into that primordial nectar at the climactic moment of each, giving pilgrims the chance to bathe in the essence of purity, auspiciousness, and immortality. The term Kumbh comes from this mythic pot of elixir, but it is also the Hindi name for Aquarius , the sign of the zodiac in which Jupiter resides during the Haridwar Mela.

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Kumbh Mela – An Experience I Yearn to Relive

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About josé jeuland .

In the heart of Northern India, where the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers converge, lies a sacred spectacle of faith and humanity that defies imagination – the Kumbh Mela. It was the year 2019 when I embarked on a journey that would forever change my perspective on culture, spirituality, and the immense power of human connection.

With a deep-rooted passion for documentary film and photography, I have always sought to explore diverse cultures. The Kumbh Mela , however, was more than just a cultural encounter. It was my first journey to India, a country I have long dreamed of visiting. Residing amidst Singapore’s bustling urban landscape, where crowds were a daily companion, I thought I understood congestion in the real sense. However, my perspective shifted dramatically as I embraced the vibrance of the Kumbh Mela which made Singapore’s hustle a distant memory.

The Kumbh Mela, often referred to as the world’s largest gathering of humanity, is a mass Hindu pilgrimage held once every 12 years. The sheer magnitude of the event is awe-inspiring, with an Ardha Kumbh Mela occurring every six years in between. This monumental gathering is not merely a religious festival; it is an experience deeply intertwined with the cultural and spiritual fabric of India. It is also worth noting that it is recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

In 2019, the Kumbh Mela took place in Allahabad, a city nestled at the confluence of the three sacred rivers – the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. For Hindus, this represents a powerful symbol of spirituality, a place where the divine energy flows unceasingly. Pilgrims from all corners of the country and beyond gather here with a singular purpose – to cleanse themselves of sins and attain Moksha , the liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

As I set foot in Allahabad, my anticipation turned to awe as I gazed upon the convergence of nature, humanity, and faith. It was beyond my wildest expectations. Every moment etched a new story, and every smile offered a connection beyond borders. The diversity of faces, the multiplicity of ages, and the stories woven together in this celebration of harmony were simply overwhelming. Navigating this sacred gathering on my own, I found myself completely immersed in the grand spectacle.

One of the most exhilarating experiences for me was witnessing gravity-defying stunts at the Wall of Death. It was a testament to the incredible skills and fearless spirit of the people I encountered at the Kumbh Mela. However, the most transformative experience occurred when I joined the throngs of pilgrims in the sacred waters. Surrounded by 40 to 50 million people, I felt a sense of unity and shared purpose that transcended language, culture, and nationality. The water was not just a physical medium but a conduit for spiritual purification and a symbol of the shared belief that we were all part of something greater than ourselves.

The Kumbh Mela was a living, breathing testament to the warmth and hospitality of the Indian people. Amidst these warm and welcoming people, I felt the heartbeat of a culture unlike any I have encountered, breaking down the barriers of language and nationality. I realised that the soul of India was not just a metaphorical expression; it was a tangible presence that pulsed through the people and the land. 

In those moments, as I looked through the lens of my camera, I saw the essence of the Kumbh Mela unfold before me. It was a tapestry of vibrant colors, a symphony of sounds, and a dance of emotions. As I reflect on my time at Kumbh Mela in 2019, I remember how it was otherworldly, like a scene from a film. Those words, though simple, encapsulate the profound impact this experience had on me. It was a journey beyond the ordinary, a pilgrimage of the soul, and a celebration of the human spirit.

In these frames, the heart of the Kumbh Mela beats – an echo of a once-in-a-lifetime experience woven from the threads of culture, people, and travel. It is a story that I am honoured to have witnessed and a memory that will forever be etched in my memory and my photographs.

Founder, Photographer & Art Director, COCO Creative Studio, Singapore

José Jeuland is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience in the world of photography and videography with his expertise honed over the years. Having embarked on an atypical journey as a professional triathlete at 25 by taking part in various international competitions, little did he know that this globe-trotting lifestyle would fuel an appetite for documenting lesser-known cultures worldwide and inspire him to begin his journey as a professional photographer. 

José’s distinctive style shines through in his portrait photography, which remains a hallmark of his craft. His expertise in this genre is evident in his captivating street, travel, and documentary photography. Some of his remarkable works, such as the photography exhibitions “Haenyeo” and “Longevity Okinawa,” garnered immense attention when showcased at The Fullerton Hotel in Singapore. His work has also received widespread acclaim and has been featured in prestigious international publications like National Geographic.

However, José’s talent is not just limited to portrait photography or exhibitions, as he has undertaken a multitude of projects for clients spanning diverse industries. From advertising and commercial photography to corporate headshots, lifestyle photography, and even video production, Jose offers an exceptional range of services through his venture, COCO Creative Studio in Singapore.

Image credits: The copyright for the images used in this article belong to their respective owners. Best known credits are given under the image. For changing the image credit or to get the image removed from Caleidoscope, please contact us.

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1  The Power of Discourse: Representations of the Kumbh Mela, c. 1760–2001

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This chapter presents a historiographical review and critique of textual sources documenting the mela (premodern, colonial Oxford, and contemporary accounts of the mela in a range of languages, but predominantly written by observers, as opposed to participants), in the interests of delineating the discursive nature of power. A discernible discourse of danger emerges, underpinning the administration and management of the mela; it was heavily informed by records of deadly battles between sadhu akhara s in 18th century Haridwar and sealed with 19th century experiences with epidemic diseases, unregulated crowds, and what was perceived as esoteric or mysterious Hindu practices. The chapter draws attention to the power and prevalence of such representations and concludes with a consideration of the politics of photographic representation at the 2001 Kumbh Mela, when the High Court of Allahabad enforced a ban on photography at the bathing ghats, limiting the ability of freelance and agency photographers from all over the world to photograph the bathing rituals. It is argued that the representations of the mela, in writing and in photography, have served to historically constrain it, and often, by extension, India, for it was frequently argued that the scale of the crowds attending the Kumbh reflected a microcosm of India, neatly representing a cross‐section of its diverse regional, linguistic, and caste communities.

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• Kumbha Mela - The world's most massive act of faith

By Jack Hebner and David Osborn

They came by the millions! Some arrived on overcrowded trains carrying five times their normal capacity. Some came by bus, by car, some by ox drawn carts, and others rode on horses, camels, and even elephants. The rich and famous chartered private planes and helicopters, while the less affluent came on foot carrying their bed rolls and camping equipment in heavy bundles on their heads. Wave after wave, they formed a veritable river of humanity that flowed onto the banks of the Ganges at Allahabad to celebrate the greatest spiritual festival ever held in the history of the world, the Kumbha Mela.

Kumbha Mela has gained international fame as "the world's most massive act of faith." Pilgrims come to this holy event with such tremendous faith and in such overwhelming numbers that it boggles the mind. Faith is the most important thing for the pilgrims at Kumbha Mela, they have an "unflinching trust in something sublime".

To understand the significance of the Kumbha Mela and the important role that it plays in the spirituality of India, it is helpful to know something about the background of the sacred Ganges River. The devout believe that simply by bathing in the Ganges one is freed from their past sins (karma), and thus one becomes eligible for liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Of course it is said that a pure lifestyle is also required after taking bath, otherwise one will again be burdened by karmic reactions .The pilgrims come from all walks of life, traveling long distances and tolerating many physical discomforts, such as sleeping in the open air in near freezing weather. They undergo these difficulties just to receive the benefit of taking a bath in the sacred river at Kumbha Mela.

This spectacle of faith has for many centuries attracted the curiosity of foreign travelers. Hiuen Tsiang of China, who lived during the seventh century, was the first to mention Kumbha Mela in his diary. He gave an eyewitness report that during the Hindu month of Magha (January-February) half a million people had gathered on the banks of the Ganges at Allahabad to observe a celebration for 75 days. The pilgrims, writes Hiuen Tsiang, assembled along with their king, his ministers, scholars, philosophers, and sages. He also reports that the king had distributed enormous quantities of gold, silver, and jewels in charity for the purpose of acquiring good merit and thus assuring his place in heaven.

In the eight century, Shankara, a prominent Indian saint, popularized the Kumbha Mela among the common people, and soon the attendance began to grow to enormous proportions. Shankara placed special importance to the opportunity of associating with saintly persons while at Kumbha Mela. Both hearing from sadhus (holy men) and sacred bathing are still the two main focus at Kumbha Mela.

By 1977, the number of pilgrims attending Kumbha Mela had to risen to 15 million! By 1989, the attendance was in the range of 29 million-nearly double that of the previous record. Photographer David Osborn and I contributed to this year's record participation by spending seven austere weeks living in a tent on the banks of the Ganges, observing the Kumbha Mela with wonder and admiration.

The ancient origin of the Kumbha Mela is described in the time honored Vedic literatures of India as having evolved from bygone days of the universe when the demigods and the demons produced the nectar of immortality. The sages of old have related this story thus: once upon a time, the demigods and demons assembled together on the shore of the milk ocean which lies in a certain region of the cosmos. The demigods and demons desired to churn the ocean to produce the nectar of immortality, and agreed to share it afterwards. 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 a 1,000 years. A pot of nectar was eventually produced, and both the demigods and demons became anxious. The demigods, being fearful of what would happen if the demons drank their share of the nectar of immortality, stole away the pot and hid it in four places on the Earth: Prayag (Allahabad) Hardwar, Ujjain, and Nasik. At each of the hiding places a drop of immortal nectar spilled from the pot and landed on the earth. These four places are believed to have acquired mystical power, and festivals are regularly held at each, Allahabad being the largest and most important.

This confluence of India's three most sacred rivers at Allahabad is called the sangam. The combined sanctity of the three holy rivers, coupled with the spiritual powers obtained from the pot of nectar of immortality, has earned Allahabad the rank of tirtharaja, the king of holy places.

The main highlight for most pilgrims during a Kumbha Mela is the observance of a sacred bath at the sangam. It is said that a bath in either of the sacred rivers has purifying effects, but where the three rivers meet, the bather's purification is increased one hundred times. Furthermore, it is said that when one takes a bath at the sangam during the Kumbha Mela, the influence is one thousand times increased.

According to astrological calculations, the Kumbha Mela is held every twelve years and begins on Makar Sankranti, the day when the sun and moon enter Capricorn and Jupiter enters Aries. The astrological configuration on Makar Sankranti is called " Kumbha snana-yoga" and is considered to be especially auspicious, as it is said that the passage from Earth to the higher planets is open at that time, thus allowing the soul to easily attain the celestial world. For such reasons it is understandable why the Kumbha Mela has become so popular among all classes of transcendentalists in India

This year Makar Sankranti fell on January 14th and the Kumbha Mela began with all the pomp and glory for which it is famous. The temperature dropped to 35 degrees Fahrenheit on the evening of the 13th, but bathers were not to be discouraged. Just past midnight, thousands began to enter the confluence of the three rivers, immersing themselves in the icy cold water. Loud chanting of "Bolo Ganga Mai ki jai (all glory to Mother Ganga)" filled the clear night air as the pilgrims washed away their bad karma. They came away from the bathing area wrapped in blankets and shivering from the cold. But as quickly as they came out of the water, thousands more came in their wake. With continual chants of " Bolo Ganga Mai ki jai" they entered the waters.

At dawn the sky reddened and the sun rose to reveal a crowd of five million enthusiasts slowly advancing towards the sangam. From the center of that mass of humanity came a marvelous procession announcing the official beginning of the Kumbha Mela. Bands played, people danced in jubilation, and colorful flags and banners flew above the crowd.

At the head of the procession were the nagas, India's famed naked holy men. These holy men engage themselves in renunciation of the world in search of equilibrium. They hope to escape the world's concomitant reactions and suffering by their austere practices such as complete celibacy and non-accumulation of material possessions. Thus they are known as liberationists. With matted locks of hair, their bodies covered in ashes, and their tridents ( the symbol of a follower of Shiva) raised high, they descended upon the bathing area. Entering the water in a tumult, blowing conchshells and singing " Shiva ki jai, Ganga ki jai," they splashed the sacred waters upon each other and played just like children. Indeed, they are said to be the very children of the Ganges.

Next came the Vaisnava vairagis, the wandering mendicants who dedicate everything to Visnu, the Sustainer. These saints live a life of service and complete dedication.Then came the innumerable other sects of ascetics dressed in saffron colored cloth and carrying their staffs of renunciation. All the centuries gone by of India's spiritual evolution were simultaneously there together in the procession. Each in turn bathed in the sangam.

Several hours passed before the procession had finished. Then began the mass bathing of the pilgrims. From the high banks of the river one could see the dark blue water of the Yamuna mixing with the silver gray water of the Ganges. Bathers, immersed up to the waist, scooped up water with folded palms and offered it to heaven in a timeless gesture. Boatmen rowed their boats full of pilgrims to a small sandbar in the middle of the sangam which soon disappeared under a cloud of bathers.

There was none to young or old for this occasion. A young mother sprinkled a few drops of the rivers' water over the head of her newborn baby, asking God to bless her child with a good life and prosperity. In another place an elderly couple eased themselves into the cold water. Some bathers made offerings of flowers, sweets, and colored dyes to the sacred waters, while others offered Vedic hymns. The chanting of OM - the supreme combination of letters - and Sanskrit mantras issued from the lips of every pilgrim.

As night fell, thousands of campfires could be seen burning along the riverbanks. In the central festival area, gaily decorated pandals (large tents) accommodated the thousands who listened to some of India's most exalted gurus lecturing on spiritual and philosophical topics.

In some pandals there were Indian drama and classical dance groups whose exotic costumes and performances attracted large audiences. In other pandals there were elaborate displays and dioramas illustrating the stories from India's ancient epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. There was so much to see and do that there was never a dull moment.

Some pilgrims prefer to come to the Kumbha Mela on the days of the big sacred baths like Makar Sankranti and then return home, while others prefer to set up camp and stay for the duration. This year at Kumbha Mela there was six scheduled days for important baths. Those who remained for the full 41 days of the festival and observe all the important baths are called kalpvasis.

This year the Indian government spent more than 8 million dollars on preliminary organization for the Kumbha Mela. According to national newspaper reports, arrangements provided 5,000 gallons of purified drinking water every minute;8,000 buses which shuttle pilgrims in and out of the festival area that spread over 3,00- acres; 16,000 outlets and 6,000 poles which provided electrical facilities; 6,000 sweepers and sanitation employees who worked around the clock to maintain health standards; 9 pontoon bridges which spanned the Ganges at intervals; 20,000 policemen, firemen, and the Indian National Guard who kept a constant vigil at checkpoints and with closed circuit TV guarded against traffic congestion and other possible outbreaks or disturbances; and 100 doctors and nurses on call at all times at medical assistance stations.

An entire city sprang up along the banks of the river during the Kumbha Mela complete with markets, hospitals, and even a tourist camp to accommodate visitors from foreign countries. The tourist camp informed me that they had sheltered over 1,000 visitors from abroad during the festivities, most being from Europe and South America. Some of these visitors from abroad had never been to India before. Others seemed as well acquainted with what was happening as did the Indians. Kumbha Mela top

In the market areas all the required necessities and luxuries of Kumbha Mela were for sale. In one place fruits and fresh vegetables were available. In another place wool blankets, which sold briskly, were piled in big stacks for easy selection. Along the main thoroughfares gypsies spread their wares which included different shapes and sizes of brass pots and bowls, beads for meditation, exotic perfumes, incense like kastori(musk) and chandan (sandalwood), and even tiger's claws set in gold.

It was also interesting to note that all the food arrangements throughout the festival were vegetarian. There was not a trace f meant, fish or eggs to be found in any camp or in any public eating place. We learned that meat is strictly taboo amongst all types of transcendentalists in India.

For the novelty seekers there was also a wide selection of oddities in the market. For a rupee or two one could employ a snake charmer who, when playing on his pungi (snake charmer's flute) would make the cobras dance, swaying to and fro. It is a long standing belief that the cobra is charmed by the sound of the pungi. Having observed several of these performances , however, it was our conclusion that the snake charmer charms his audience rather than the snake.

many palm readers and mystic soothsayers set up shop along the Ganges offering passers-by a look into the future. Astrology and palmistry are traditional sciences in India, but one could not help but think that some of these "mystics" were simply out to turn a fast rupee from a gullible public. No doubt that among the sincere and authentic spiritualists at Kumbha Mela there were also the cheaters and hence the cheated. Buyer beware.

The camel, a hardy beast of burden, used in India for centuries to transport cargo long distances and through difficult terrain, was the unsung hero of Kumbha Mela. Carrying heavy loads of firewood, tents, and foodstuffs on their raised backs these awkward creatures formed the very lifeline to the Kumbha Mela residents. In the soft sand, cars, trucks, and even horse carts often got stuck. But the camel was rugged and the goods always got through.

For everyone at Kumbha Mela, early mornings were the most austere time of day because it was always colder than at any other time. However, chilly sunrise is considered the most auspicious time of the day for spiritual practices.Every day at dawn , thousands arose early to bathe in the Ganges and return to their camps to change mantras and meditate.

At the northern end of the festival grounds, cast against the stil blue sky, stood a lone grass hut built upon sturdy stilts. This was the ashrama of Devara Baba who, according to his followers, is more than 200 years old. Devara Baba is a lifelong vegetarian and celibate yogi. His admirers believe that his exceptional longevity is due to the fact that he only drinks and bathes in the Ganges, whose waters are considered very sacred.When we asked Devara Baba about his exact age, he replied, " I have lost count of the years. It has been a very long time."

Every morning and evening tens of thousands of pilgrims walked the two mile stretch along the Ganges to the ashrama of Devara Baba with the hope that they might get a glimpse of this ancient sage. Much to their delight Devara Baba was always willing and even happy to accommodate them. Sitting on the veranda of his simple raised hut, the old sage relaxed in the warm rays of sunlight and blessed his visitors. Sometimes smiling or raising his hand in a gesture of grace Devara Baba radiated the aura of peacefulness. Some pilgrims brought offerings of fruits and flowers, while others came only with their prayers for blessings. It was our prayer to the sage that he allow us to take a few photographs, and in his usual gracious manner he consented.

As prominent as Devara Baba was, we sensed that there were many great souls who went undetected in our midst. We photographed until we ran out of film and were left only with a feeling of helplessness. Kumbha Mela was indeed a magnificent and awesome encounter.It was impossible to capture the festival. Indeed, it was the festival that captured us. Words, film, print, and paper can not do justice to the event — it is one that has to be experienced personally.

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1045 Words Essay on the Kumbh Mela

The Kumbh Mela in India attracts more people than any other holy gathering in the world. It reflects the collective urge of the Hindus. It represents an abiding faith in spiritual values. This holy festival is a congregation of God fearing people. When people attend this festival they seem to forget all distinctions of caste, creed, language or region. They become part of the universal soul. If anyone wants to see unity in diversity, there can be no better example than India’s Kumbh Mela.

The Kumbh Mela has a mythical background. According to the Puranas, at the dawn of creation, gods and the demons started “Samudra Manthan” i.e., churning of the ocean which, it was thought, had infinite wealth. Out of 14 gems found in the ocean, one was “Amrit” i.e., Nectar. A sip of this rare Nectar was enough to make a person immortal. Therefore, both gods and demons clamoured for it. Gods entrusted Jayanta, son of Indra, to keep the pitcher containing Nectar in his safe custody for the exclusive use of the gods. Shukracharya, the king of tire demons ordered the demons to snatch the pitcher (Kumbh) from Jayanta. The gods and demons fought a 12-day battle (according to the gods’ calendar, but 12 years as per human calendar) to gain control of the pitcher. Jayanta had to run from place to place but he took rest at 12 places out of which 4 were on earth. The four places on earth where he took rest and where a few drops of Nectar spilled over and made the place holy are Hardwar (Har Ki Pauri), Allahabad (Prayag), Nashik (Godavari Ghat) and Ujjain (Shipra Ghat). Since then Kumbh Melas have been taking place at one or the other of these four places every 12 years.

Another reason why the Kumbh Mela is celebrated every 12 years is due to the fact that Jupiter completes a round of the Zodiac in about 12 years when a certain combination of 4 planets viz. Sun, Jupiter, Aries and Aquarius takes place. Purna Kumbh Melas are held at Nashik and Ujj ain when Jupiter is in the sign of Leo and the Sun in Aries or Leo. Likewise, Ardha Kumbh Melas are celebrated at Hardwar when Jupiter is in the sign of Leo, the sixth from Aquarius.

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Kumbh Melas are being held in India since ancient times. They are older than history. Even in ancient times when transport facilities were next to nothing, thousands of men, women and children used to converge for a holy bath from all corners of the country. History tells us that these melas were held in the seventh century during the time of Harshavardhana. The king used to make large gifts on such auspicious occasions. Hieun Tsang, a Chinese traveller, had stated that these melas were held since ancient times.

Though religious congregations also take place in other parts of the world like Adivel and Kandy Easala Posehera festivals of Sri Lanka, the water festival of Kampuchea and Tet festival of Vietnam yet the Kumbh Mela of India excels in religious significance, spiritual fervour and mass appeal.

In fact, the Kumbh Mela is different from other congregations because no advertisements are issued, no propaganda is launched and no invitations are issued for it. People flock to this congregation despite inconveniences of travel, inclemencies of weather and for no material gain whatsoever. People from all walks of life, rich and poor, young and old, men and women, saints and scholars, artists and artisans; gather here in the hope of achieving salvation.

Unfortunately, sometimes the crowd at Kumbh Melas becomes unmanageable despite elaborate arrangements made by the Mela authorities to regulate the flow of pilgrims. At the Maha Kumbha Mela at Hardwar, as many as 47 persons were killed and 35 injured in a stampede on 14th April, 1986. This tragedy occurred when thousands of pilgrims rushed for a holy dip at the Brahm Kund (Hardwar). This was not the first Kumbh Mela to end in tragedy. In the past also, there have been many worse tragedies resulting in much heavier loss of lives-18,000 in 1760 A.D., 500 in 1795 A.D. and 500 in 1953 A.D.

To millions of Hindus, the Ganga is not merely a lifegiving, life supporting river. It is the goddess incarnate. To bathe in the river, to drink its holy waters, to have one’s ashes scattered over its surface; these are the greatest wishes of every devout Hindu. According to an ancient Sanskrit verse, the people who “participate” in the Kumbh Mela and “bathe” become free from temporal bondage and get spiritual salvation.

Thus, the Kumbh Mela is a socio-spiritual parliament of men and women, young and old, who are in quest of salvation. Even the most unsophisticated people who throng to the Kumbh Mela understand that this rare congregation is a symbol of the country’s unity and emotional integration. These melas can promote national integration and lead to universal brotherhood.

On the auspicious occasion of Maha Kumbh at Prayag on 24th January, 2001, an estimated two crore pilgrims sought a soul-salvaging dip in the Sangam on mauni amavasya, the holiest day of the world’s largest religious festival. The explosion of religiosity began as dawn was breaking, with nag sadhus leading the charge. Wearing nothing but garlands of marigold, the frenzied hordes of naga sadhus rushed into the chilly water chanting mantras.

Again over one crore people on 9th February, 2001 took a ritual dip at the time of the above Kumbh Mela at Prayag in the holy waters of the Sangam amid tight security on the occasion of Magh Poornima. The Nashik Trimbakeshwar year long Simhasta Kumb Mela marking the celestial romance between Jupiter and Leo began on July 30, 2003 in Nashik.

On April 14, 2010 alone approximately 10 million people bathed in the Ganges river. According to officials by mid April about 40 million people had bathed since January 14, 2010. Hundreds of foreigners joined Indian pilgrims in the the festival which is thought to be the largest religious gathering in the world. To accommodate the large number of pilgrims Indian Railways ran special trains. Indian Space Research Organisation took satellite pictures of the crowds with the hope of improving the conduct of the festival in the future.

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