Kumbh

Kumbh Mela is different from the other Hindu places of pilgrimage. Unlike the other places of pilgrimage, it is held in four different places, namely Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik.

It takes place four times every twelve years in the four places by rotation.

The “Ardh Kumbh Mela” is held every six years at Haridwar and Allahabad. However, Allahabad is the only venue where the “Purna Kumbh” is held every twelve years. Over and above, the “Maha Kumbh Mela” is held after the celebration of twelve “Purna Kumbh Melas”, i.e., after every 144 years, at Allahabad.

At “Kumbh Mela”, millions of devotees take ritual bath on a single auspicious day at the banks of the river where the respective venue is situated. It is characterized by religious discussions, distribution of food among the poor masses and the singing of devotional songs. It is also known for its assemblies of saints and monks from different sects of Hinduism. They come from different holy places, forests and caves where they practice extreme austerity to attain spiritual salvation.

The significance of Kumbha Mela lies in its providing a chance to attain deliverance from the mundane miseries and assimilate in the Brahman. It is stated in the Puranas that by bathing at Prayag in the month of Magh, one can attain the “punya” of performing millions of Ashvamedha rituals. One can also cleanse oneself of the worldly sins by bathing at the Sangam.

Legend

The legends involving Kumbh Mela have their origin in the ancient Puranas.

The Devas and the Asuras were natural enemies who often engaged in wars to get the better of one another. The Devas used to dominate over the Asuras. Lord Indra, the king of Devas, once incurred the wrath of the sage Durvasa and consequently, the Devas were defeated by the Asuras. They went to Lord Vishnu and sought His advice on how to regain their supremacy. Lord Vishnu advised the Devas to drink Amrut – ‘the nectar of immortality’- to retain perpetual supremacy. He also gave them the direction to obtain the Amrut by churning the ‘ocean of milk’. The “Samudra Manthan” was arranged and a big rope, played by the serpent Vasuki, was held by the Devas on one end and by the Asuras on the other.

After the great churning, the Amrut or the nectar of immortality emanated out of the ocean. The pot of the Amrut was held by Dhanvantari. The Asuras grabbed hold of the pot and escaped. The Devas chased them to get hold of the pot and a fight followed.

It is stated in the Skanda Purana that Jayanta, son of Indra snatched away the Amrut from the Asuras and ran away. The Asuras followed him for 12 days. During the chase, the Amrut spilled over and fell at Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain.

According to another legend, Lord Vishnu gave the pot of nectar to Garuda, the mythical bird, who was chased by the Asuras. The nectar fell on the four places.

When to go

The climate in Allahabad is unbearably hot and sultry in summer and extremely cold in winter. Besides the time of the Mela, the ideal time to visit Allahabad is the period from October to February.

How to reach

Kumbha Mela is well-connected to the rest of the country by road, railway and air services.

There are four major railway stations in Allahabad – Prayag, City, Daraganj and Allahabad Junction. A number of long distance Express trains such as Prayag Raj Express, Brahmaputra Mail, Bombay Mail and Toofan Express that link Allahabad to the major cities like Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata Patna, Gwalior and Meerut- the .

Tourists and pilgrims can avail the frequent bus services on the well-maintained National Highway 2 and 27, which connect Allahabad to the neighboring towns and places of interest.

The nearest airports are Varanasi (147 kms) and Lucknow (210 kms) which offer regular flights to all the major cities of India. Allahabad also has a domestic airport which connects it to some selected cities.

Where to stay

A large number of pilgrims and tourists stay in a number of ashrams. Besides, travel agencies and other social service organizations put up private camps where accommodation is available at varying charges, depending upon the facilities provided by them. Rainbow Camp provides free accommodation to the pilgrims.

Numerous budget hotels cater to the pilgrims and tourists visiting the holy Kumbh Mela. The prices are quite affordable and the hotels provide the standard modern amenities to make the accommodation pleasant and comfortable.

Places to visit

Sangam Bath

This is the meeting place of the Ganga, the Yamuna and the Saraswati. Pilgrims regard this as one of the holiest bathing place. During the Kumbh Mela, the place assumes special significance as thousands of pilgrims take holy dip in the Sangam and perform ablution to attain divine blessings.

Hanuman Temple

Located near the Sangam is a famous Hanuman Temple, where a reclining image of Hanuman is placed a few feet beneath the ground. It is believed by the devotees that every year, the overflowing Ganga starts retreating after touching the feet of Hanuman.

Allahabad Fort

The fort has a historical significance because of its association with Emperor Akbar, who built it in 1583 AD. The awe-inspiring design and craftsmanship mark the construction of the fort which is situated on the banks of the Yamuna. Inside the huge fort, a 10.6 meter high Ashoka Pillar of the 3rd century BC origin was placed after removing it from Kausambi. Some Persian inscriptions relating to the King Jehangir’s ascent to power are found on the pillar. There is also a well named “Saraswati Koop” which is believed to be the source of the river Saraswati.

Patalpuri Temple

This is an underground temple situated beneath the Allahabad Fort. Images of a number of deities are worshipped in the temple. There is Akshaya Vat, a banyan tree, in the temple which is believed to be immortal.
Temples of Bharadwajeswara

Temple of Rishi Bharadwaja

The temple dedicated to Rishi Bharadwaja is also visited by many pilgrims. In the ancient times, Bharadwaja Rishi lived in his ashram with 10000 disciples. It is in this place that the Allahabad University subsequently came up. Legend has it Lord Rama and Sita visited this place during their 14 year long exile.

Mankameshwar Temple

Situated near the Saraswati Ghat on the banks of the Yamuna, this famous Shiva temple draws a large number of pilgrims round the year.

Ram Chabutara

A platform named Ram Chabutara is located at Ramchaura – Shringverpur. According to the legend, Lord Rama stayed here before going to the forest. The boatman, who took the Lord, Sita and Lakshman by his boat, washed the feet of Lord Rama.

Magh Mela

The auspicious Magh Mela is organized every year in the month of Magh. It takes place in the confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna and the Saraswati. Millions of pilgrims attend the annual Magh Mela and a number of temporary shelters are built to accommodate them. Considering the scale of the festivities and the enthusiasm of the pilgrims, Magh Mela is also called the mini Kumbh Mela.

Sri Rupa Gaudiya Math

This Math is located by the Ganga on the way to Sangam. Srila Prabhupada was initiated to “sanyas” at this Math by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Maharaja.