Kumbh Mela, held in four cities across India, is the world’s largest religious gathering. Its origins were explained by the 8th-century philosopher Shankaracharya. According to the story, gods and demons battled for a pot of nectar, known as Amrit, that was found during the ocean churning. It is believed that Lord Vishnu, in the form of Mohini, saved the Kumbh from the demons. On the way to heaven, drops of nectar fell at four places- Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik and Prayagraj, where Kumbh is celebrated today.
Mythological importance of Kumbh: According to mythology, Brahma created the universe by performing an Ashwamedha Yagya at Dashashwamedh Ghat, where the Yamuna and Ganga meet. This is why the Kumbh in Prayagraj holds the highest importance. The importance of this festival is connected to the story of Samudra Manthan, where Lord Vishnu took 12 divine days to reach heaven. According to the Hindu calendar, Kumbh is celebrated every twelfth year when Jupiter moves into Aries during the new moon in Magha.
Social importance of Kumbh: The Kumbh Mela is unique because it is the only event in the world that doesn’t need an invitation but still attracts millions of pilgrims. The Kumbh also carries a social message about helping others, sharing good ideas and building strong relationships. Chanting mantras, sacred teachings, traditional dances, devotional songs, and mythological stories bring people together, showing the social value of the Kumbh.
History of Kumbh Mela: The Kumbh is very important, like nectar. It is also said that the story behind the Kumbh Mela is from the time when the gods used to live on earth. It is believed that sage was weakened by a curse, and the evil force caused destruction on the planet. At that time, Lord Brahma helped the gods with the demons to create the nectar of immortality. Later, the demons found out that the gods didn’t want to share it, so they chased them for 12 days. During the chase, the nectar fell at four places where the Kumbh Mela is now held. It’s difficult to determine the exact origin of the Kumbh Mela, but some scholars say it started in 3464 BC, and this tradition existed over 1,000 years before the Harappan and Mohenjo-Daro cultures. The Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang wrote about the Kumbh Mela in his travel book. In his ‘Bharat Yatra’ from 629 BC, he describes the Hindu fair at Prayag during Emperor Harshavardhana’s rule.
