The last time, in 2001, when the Maha Kumbh Mela was held here, nearly 60 million took a bath at Sangam, plus thousands others bore witness to the grandness of the event. After 12 long years, the wait is finally over as the Maha Kumbh is once again back to where it belongs – Allahabad. And the Kumbh Mela that is held here is considered to be the largest and holiest of all the four destinations and is believed to be the most auspicious. Allahabad is one of the most sacred cities in India, wherein the purity lies in the belief that after creating the world, Brahma, the great creator offered his first sacrifice at this place; and also because of the important position it holds according to the Hindu scriptures for possessing the holy confluence, known as Triveni Sangam, of the three sacred rivers of India - Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati.
In 2013, from 27th January to 25th February, the banks of the Sangam will once again be in an uproar as millions - devout and commoners alike will make the place their temporary homes. And the sight of Sadhus, the guardians of the faith; Naga Babas, covering their naked bodies with ash; and Mahants, lured to come out of their hideouts in forests, mountains, and caves, charging towards the Sangam to take a holy dip in the waters at the appointed time will once again make up for the visual dazzle. It’s believed that bathing here will free one from all the past sins, thereby liberating him from the cycle of life and death. Discomfort of having to travel miles and living open air under freezing weather will take a backseat and it’s the pure sense of devotion and spirituality that will prevail, evident through their faces.
Famous for its culture and contemporary heritage, the city of Allahabad will once again become a major attraction for foreigners willing to witness the greatest expression of Indian religion, and study and learn Indian culture as the roots of tradition and customs can be easily traced in this land of Triveni Sangam. The Maha Kumbh Mela to be held in Allahabad (Prayag) in the year 2013 will commence from 27th of January and will continue till 25th of February.
The important dates of Maha Kumbh Mela 2013 are provided below:
· 27th January (Sunday) - Paush Purnima
· 6th February (Wednesday) - Ekadashi Snan
· 10th February (Sunday) - Mauni Amavasya Snan (Main Bathing Day)
· 15th February (Friday) - Basant Panchami Snan
· 17th February (Sunday) - Rath Saptami Snan
· 18th February (Monday) - Bhisma Ashtami Snan
· 25th February (Monday) - Maghi Purnima Snan
Maha Kumbh Allahabad 2013 Schedule
Dates of Kumbh Mela in Allhabad, India, 2013
Kumbha Mela is the largest religious gathering in the world. In the year 2013, it's the turn of the holy city Allhabad (Prayag) to host this religious extravaganza. The complete date-wise schedule of Maha Kumbh Mela 2013 is as follows:
· 27th January Sunday Paush Purnima
· 6th February Wednesday Ekadashi Snan
· 10th February Sunday Mauni Amavasya Snan (Main Bathing Day)
· 15th February Friday Basant Panchami Snan
· 17th February Sunday Rath Saptami Snan
· 18th February Monday Bhisma Ashtami Snan
· 25th February Monday Maghi Purnima Snan
History of Kumbh Mela
Kumbh derives its name from the immortal Pot of Nectar, which the Demigods (Devtas) and Demons (Asuras) fought over, described in ancient Vedic scriptures known as the Puranas. It is these Vedic literatures that have stood the test of time, out of which the tradition has evolved into the one that the world now knows as The Kumbh Mela. Legend tells a tale from the bygone days of the universe when the demigods and the demons conjointly produced the nectar of immortality. The demigods, because cursed, were crippled of fear that eventually made them weak. The task being too sturdy for them alone, the demigods made a mutual agreement with the demons to complete it in full and share the nectar of immortality in half. It is said that the demigods and the demons assembled on the shore of the milk ocean that lies in the celestial region of the cosmos. And it began!
For the task of churning the milk ocean, the Mandara Mountain was used as the churning rod, and Vasuki, the king of serpents, became the rope for churning. With the demigods at Vasuki’s tail and the demons at his head, the churning began. At first, the churning of the milk ocean produced a deadly poison which Lord Shiva drank without being affected. As Lord Shiva drank the poison, a few drops fell from his hands which were licked by scorpions, snakes, and similar other deadly creatures. Also, during the churning, the Mandara Mountain began to sink deep into the ocean, seeing which Lord Vishnu incarnated as a great tortoise and supported the mountain on His back. Finally, many hurdles and 1000 years later, Dhanwantari appeared with the Kumbh of immortal nectar in his hands. The demigods, being fearful of the demons' ill intent, forcibly seized the pot with its safety entrusted onto the four Gods - Brahaspati, Surya, Shani, and Chandra.
Demons, after learning that their part of the agreement has not been kept, went after the demigods and for 12 days and 12 nights, the chase continued. Wherever the demigods went with the pot of nectar, fierce fighting ensued. It is believed that during this chase, a few drops from the Kumbh fell at four places - Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nasik. There is also a prevalent legend that it was actually the demons that were being chased by the demigods for 12 days and 12 nights, during which the drops of elixir of immortality fell at these four places. These four places are since believed to have acquired mystical powers. Because 12 days of Gods are equivalent to 12 years for humans; the Kumbh Mela is celebrated once every 12 years in each of the four places - banks of river Godavari in Nasik, river Kshipra in Ujjain, river Ganges in Haridwar, and at the Sangam of Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati in Allahabad, where the drops are believed to have fallen. Millions of devout, come together to partake in ritualistic bathing and ceremonies to cleanse themselves of all sins.
Timeline of Kumbh Mela (Modern Times)
· 1980: Nasik
· 1980: Ujjain
· 1986: Haridwar
· 1989: Allahabad
· 1992: Nasik
· 1992: Ujjain
· 1998: Haridwar
· 2001: Allahabad
· 2003: Nasik
· 2004: Ujjain
· 2010: Haridwar
Allahabad Maha Kumbha Tour
Allahabad is one of the four destinations in India where Maha Kumbh Mela takes place. The Maha Kumbha takes every three years in each of the four different locations, returning to each of four places every twelve years. The Ardh Kumbha Mela (festival) takes place six years after the Maha Kumbh in each location. The last Maha Kumbh at Allahabad was held in the year 2001 and the Ardha Kumbha Mela was held in Jan-Feb 2007. Our Allahabad Maha Kumbha Mela tour/travel package has been designed to help you tour not only Allahabad but also other holy places around Allahabad (Prayag).
Day 01: Arrival at Delhi
Upon arrival at Delhi international airport, our representative will receive you and transfer to hotel. Overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 02: Delhi / Varanasi
After the breakfast at the hotel we will take you for a tour of the Delhi city. Delhi comprises of two parts-Old and New Delhi, the capital of India. The city tour will cover the Raj Ghat (samadhi of Gandhiji), red Fort, Jama Masjid, Purana Qila, India Gate, President house, Qutub Minar, Humayun's tomb, Bahai temple and the Akshardham temple. After the sightseeing tour you will get back to hotel and have your diner, which follows transfer to Railway station to board the train to Varanasi. Overnight onboard the train.
Day 03: Varanasi
Upon arrival at Varanasi in morning you will transfer to hotel. After a brief rest you will have breakfast and then set out to tour Sarnath, the Buddha city. Sarnath is the place where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. The main tourist attractions at Sarnath are the Buddha temple, Dhamekha temple, and the Archaeological Museum. After the tour of Sarnath you will get back to the hotel and have your dinner. Overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 04: Varanasi
Varanasi, the holy city and the gateway to Moksha, is revered by millions of people all over the world. It is the city where life and death come together. To have a look at the eternal city, we will take you for an early morning boat ride on the River Ganges. You can spot thousands of devotees taking bath and performing rituals at the bathing Ghats (river bank) of Varanasi. After the boating tour you will get back to hotel for breakfast and then proceed for a sightseeing tour of Old Varanasi and the Banaras Hindu University. City tour also covers the Bharat Mata Mandir, Tulsi Manas Mandir and some traditional Bazaars. Overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 05: Varanasi / Allahabad
After breakfast you will head for Allahabad, the Venue of Maha Kumbh Mela 2013. On reaching Allahabad you will be transferred to hotel/Camp. Spend your time at leisure for rest of the day. Overnight stay will be at the hotel/camp.
Day 06: Allahabad
Early in the morning, you will take bath at the Sangam (confluence of the Rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythological Saraswati). It follows breakfast and then a boat ride at the holy River Ganges. Thereafter, we will take you for a walking tour of some of the sacred temples and places of Allahabad (Prayag). Overnight stay will be at hotel/Camp.
Day 07: Allahabad / Delhi
Early in the morning we will take you for the Maha Kumbh Mela main bathing. It is one of the auspicious bathing dates of Maha Kumbh Mela, which attracts millions of saints/sages and devotees from all over to take a holy dip in the sacred River Ganga. It will follow a personal meeting with Yoga teacher (Shastri), where he will teach you some basics of Yoga. It follows rest and then dinner. After dinner you will depart for the Railway station to board the train for Delhi. Overnight on board the train to Delhi.
Day 08: Delhi
Upon arrival at Delhi you will transfer to hotel and wash and change along with breakfast. You will have full day at leisure and you can pursue own activities/shopping. In the evening our representative will transfer you to the international airport for onward journey.
About Sangam (Allahabad)
Located about 7 Km from the Civil Lines Township in Allahabad is the holy site of Sangam where Kumbh Mela is held. It is at Sangam, a Sanskrit word for Confluence, where the union of three of the holiest rivers according to the Hindu Mythology - Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati takes place. While the brownish Ganges meets the Greenish Yamuna, both of which have an earthly origin in the Himalayan mountain range, Saraswati on the other hand has no physical form and is believed to exist ethereally, without being visible to the human eye. Mentioned in the sacred texts many times over, it is in Prayaga (ancient name for Allahabad) that Saraswati is believed to meet with Ganga and Yamuna. It is also believed to flow beneath the surface by few. The place is also known as Triveni Sangam because of the amalgamation of three rivers, and the combined sacredness of the three rivers coupled with the mythological legend, according to which a few drops of nectar that turns mortal to immortal had fallen here, has made Allahabad the Tirthraja or, The King of Holy Places. This is precisely why Kumbh Mela organized in Allahabad is of a different level and attracts millions of devotees to the shores.
However, Sangam adorns an altogether different look when Kumbh Mela pays it a visit. All the pleasures of a comfortable life are shunned for the time by millions of devotees - young and old, and the troubled & blessed; coming together to take a bath at the very confluence for purgative effects. It is believed that a bath at the confluence of these three rivers increases the bather’s purification by hundred times. Whereas during the period of Kumbh Mela (special dates assigned for spiritual bathing), it is believed that it is a thousand times stronger an influence. Apart from self-purification purposes, thousands of people also flock to the shores during Kumbh Mela to offer pind for their deceased parents. It is not only the devout that makes the Ghats of Sangam their temporary home, but the event is also an opportunity for the foreigners who are consistently fascinated by Hindu mythologies and culture, to witness the same in the grandest of fashions. And seeing endless millions, pilgrims and audience, gathered as far as the eyes can see, on the Ghats is an indescribable feeling! It happens only at Sangam!
