Mystical Kumbh Mela in India

The Kumbh Mela in India is as mesmerizing as it is spiritual. This ancient northern Indian festival is a meeting of mystical minds. The largest religious gathering in the world, the Kumbh Mela brings Hindu holy men together to discuss their faith and disseminate information about their religion. It's attended by millions of people each day.

The Mela takes place on a rotational basis in four of the most holy Hindu places in Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh), India -- on the banks of the Godavari river in Nashik (Maharastra), the Shipra river in  the Ganges river in Haridwar (Uttarakhand), and convergence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers in Allahabad/Prayag (Uttar Pradesh ).

When is the Kumbh Mela Held

In each location once every 12 years. Theoretically, it should happen every three years in a different place. However, the exact time and place of the festival depends on astrological and religious considerations. This means that the Mela sometimes happens only a year apart at the different sites.

There is also a Maha Kumbh Mela, which is held once every 12 years. In between, in the sixth year, the Ardh Kumbh Mela (half mela) takes place as well.

The Maha Kumbh Mela is considered to be the most auspicious mela. It always occurs in Allahabad, as the confluence of the rivers there is considered to be particularly holy. The Ardh Kumb Mela occurs in both Allahabad and Haridwar.

When is the Next Kumbh Mela

• 2010 Kumbh Mela in Haridwar (January 14 to April 28, 2010)
• 2013 Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad (January 27 to February 25, 2013).
• 2015 Kumbh Mela in Nashik (August 15 to September 13, 2015)
• 2016 Kumbh Mela in Ujjain (April 22 to May 21, 2016)

What is the Legend Behind the Kumbh Mela

Kumbh means pot or pitcher. Mela means festival or fair. Hence, the Kumbh Mela means festival of the pot. It specifically relates to the pot of nectar in Hindu mythology.

Legend has it that the gods once lost their strength. In order to regain it, they agreed with the demons to churn the primordial ocean of milk for amrit (the nectar of immortality). This was to be shared equally between them. However, a fight broke out, which went on for 12 human years. During the battle, the celestial bird, Garuda, flew away with the Kumbh that held the nectar. Drops of nectar are believed to have fallen in the places that the Kumbh Mela is now held -- Prayag (Allahabad), Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain.

The Sadhus at the Kumbh Mela

The sadhus and other holy men are an integral part of the Mela. Pilgrims who attend it come to see and listen to these men, in order to gain spiritual enlightenment.

There are various types of sadhus:

• Nagas -- naked sadhus who smear their bodies with ash and have long matted hair. Constant exposure to the weather makes them resistant to temperature extremes. Their eyes are bloodshot from constantly smoking charas (marijuana), which they believe aids enlightenment.
• Urdhwavahurs -- who have emaciated bodies from rigid spiritual practices.
• Parivajakas -- who have taken a vow of silence.
• Shirshasinse -- who remain standing, sleep with their heads resting on a vertical pole, and meditate standing on their heads.
• Kalpvasis -- who remain by the river banks and devote their time to meditating, performing rituals, and bathing numerous times a day.

What Rituals are Performed at the Kumbh Mela

The main ritual is the ritual bath. Hindus believe that submerging themselves in the sacred waters on the most auspicious day of the new moon will absolve them and their ancestors of sin, thus ending the cycle of rebirth. Pilgrims start lining up to bathe from around 3 a.m. on this day.

As the sun comes up, the different groups of sadhus move in procession towards the river to bathe. The Nagas usually lead, while each group tries to outdo the others with more grandeur and fanfare. The moment is magical, and everyone is absorbed in it.

After bathing, the pilgrims wear fresh clothes and proceed to worship by the river bank. They then walk around listening to discourses from the various sadhus.