Maha Kumbh Mela, held in Allahabad every 12 years and billed as the biggest religious gathering in the world, is all set to begin here on tomorrow (Monday, January 14) with millions of people from across the country as well as abroad expected to attend the religious gathering.
This year, as much as 100 million devotees, ranging from naked Nagas and their leaders to common Hindu worshippers is expected to gather in Allahabad from January 14 and last for over 55 days (ends on March 10) with an average influx of around two million a day. It is regarded as a unique spectacle of colour, noise and Hindu devotion.
MYTHOLOGY AND KUMBHTIMING
The origin of the Kumbh dates back to the time when amritakalasha(pot of nectar of immortality) was recovered from Samudramanthan (during the churning of the primordial sea), after which a brutal war between devatas(Gods) and asuras (Demons) ensued. To prevent the amritakalasha being forcibly taken into possession by asuras, who were more powerful than the devatas, its safety was entrusted to the devatas Brahaspati (Jupiter), Surya(Sun), Chandra (Moon), and Shani (Saturn).
The four devatasran away with the amrita kalasha to hide it from the asuras. Learning the conspiracy of the devatas, the asuras turned ferocious and chased the 4 devatas running with amrita kalasha. The chase lasted 12 years, during which the devatas and asuras went round the earth. During this chase, the devatas hid amritakalasha at the cities Haridwar, Prayag, Ujjain and Nasik. To commemorate this holy event of the amritakalasha being put at 4 places, Kumbh is celebrated every 12 years in the 4 places. According to other Pauraniclegends, the fight took place between devatas and asuras, resulting in the amritakalasha being knocked, out of which amrita (Nectar) fell down at the 4 places.
TRADITION
Indian tradition has a very definite relation with the natural surroundings, whether with the rivers and mountains or with the celestial configuration and astrological transition seen up above. Every transition in the planetary movements defines the times scale and is, therefore, observed as "parva" in the Hindu customs. As these changes in the planetary configurations give rise to the cycle of season, they also affect the human life. Ancient Indian seers have studied all these effects, and customs are set in order to observe the natural phenomena and adjust with their effects on our life.
Kumbh Mela comes at the time when Sun, Jupiter and Moon are at specific position on the Hindu Sidereal zodiac. As Jupiter takes about 11 years, 10 months and 14 days to complete its revolution around the sun, it’s obvious that it comes back to any specific position on its orbit on completion of nearly 12 years. Thus all these planetary configurations repeat every 12th year and, thus, Kumbh Mela also comes after the same interval.
SPIRITUAL SYMBOLISM
The mythological story of appearance of Amrit (Nectar of life) from the churning of the ocean is related with the occurrence of Kumbh Mela and, thus, this occasion has ritualistic importance. The spiritual symbolism is very poignant. Sun and Moon respectively stand for human rational intellect and mind.
Known as "Guru" in Sanskrit, Jupiter is the spiritual master. When the sun (rational Intellect) having definite relation with Jupiter (Guru) guides the moon (human mind), the result is the realization of the immortality (Amrit) of self. Therefore, the Indian tradition gives importance of being at specific places, having a dip in the river, performing religious rituals and attending spiritual discourses during the occasions of Kumbh Mela.
