Guest Author - Linda J. Paul
The Kumbha Mela is held in India every twelve years. According to astrological calculations, it always begins of Makar Sankranti, the day when the sun and moon enter Capricorn and Jupiter enters Aries. This configuration of celestial bodies is called “Kumbha snana-yoga”. This planetary event is considered to be a very powerful time, as it is thought that the passage from Earth to the higher planets is open at this time, thus allowing the soul to merge into the celestial world.
At these special times, millions of people arrive along the banks of the Ganges River, some in vehicles, some in ox drawn carts and on horses or camels, and even by elephant. The more affluent arrive in planes and helicopters. Many people arrive carrying bedding and camping gear in bundles on their heads.
This past January 14th, 2007, over 50 million people gathered at a place called Allahabad, where the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati Rivers merge. This sacred spot is called the Sangram.
Most of the people gathered were from India, but there were also many others from virtually all over the globe who came to take part in or observe the rituals of Kumbha Mela.
The main focus of this gathering is to take a bath in the Sangram. The devout believe that by bathing in the Ganges one is released from past sins or karma, and thus becomes eligible for liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Of course, a conscientious lifestyle is required after the bath in order to keep from collecting any more negative karma. People bathe daily in the Ganges, arriving even during near freezing weather.
Add to this sacred rite, the story of the Kumbha Mela.
Ancient Vedic writings of India tell of an ancient time when the demigods and demons decided to get together and produce a nectar of immortality. They gathered together on the shore of the milk ocean which is a certain region of the universe.
In order to create this nectar, they agreed to churn the waters of the ocean, and then they would share the resulting nectar of immortality. The Mandara Mountain became a churning rod, and Vasuki, the king of serpents volunteered to be the rope used for churning. The gods held Vasuki’s tail and the demons held his head. They churned the ocean for a thousand years, and a pot of nectar was finally produced.
Now, although the gods and the demons had agreed to share the nectar, the gods got nervous about what the demons might do with their share. The thought of immortal demons scared the gods, so they stole the pot and hid it in four places on Earth. Those places were all in India, at Allahabad, Hardwar, Ujjain and Nasik. At each of these hiding places a drop of the immortal mixture spilled from the pot and landed on the ground. Thus, these four places are thought to have mystical powers. Festivals are held regularly at all four, with Allahabad being the largest and most important place.
Since Allahabad is the place where the three sacred rivers meet, and it is also the spot where some of the nectar of immortality fell, it is considered tirtharaja, the king of holy places.
A bath is the waters of the Ganges is sacred, but a bath in the Sangram where the rivers meet is considered to increase the bather’s purification process one hundred times. So, given the sacredness of the Sangram, plus the timing of the Makar Sankranti, taking a bath during Kumbha Mela is thought to increase the purification process one thousand times.
Just past midnight as the planets go into the Makar Sankranti configuration, the pilgrims begin to enter the Sangram. They wade into the icy cold waters of the Gange chanting “Bolo Ganga Mai ki Jai” (All glory to Mother Ganga.) As one group of bathers emerge shivering from the cold, thousands more wade into the waters.
With the dawn begins the official start of Kumbha mela. People dance and sing amid colorful flags and banners as the mass of over 50 million people make their way to the Sangram.
The naked Nagas, India’s holy men lead the procession with their matted locks of hair, bodies covered in ash, and carrying tridents (the symbol of the followers of Shiva.) These holy men lead lives of sacrifice, such as complete celibacy or owning no material possessions.
The procession lasts for several hours with each caste of Indian society making their way forward. After all the pomp and circumstance, the mass bathing of the pilgrims begins. Men, women and children, young and old, enter the waters of the Ganges, all chanting the sacred sound of OM.
The first six days of Kumbha Mela are the most important bathing days. But the festival continues on for up to 41 days.
I can't even begin to conceive of more than 50 million people in one place!! The attached links are amazing! There are lots of pictures connected to the stories.
