Khumb Mela

Khumb Mela is a huge pilgrimage celebrated every four years, in which Hindus gather at the Ganges River. This festival is celebrated at different places, depending on the position of the planet Jupiter, andthe sun.

The major even of the festival is bathing at the banks of the river in whichever town it is being held. It is one of the biggest festivals celebrated in India.

When Jupiter and the sun are in the zodiac sign (Simha Rashi) it is held in Trimbakeshwar, Nashik; when the sun is in Aries it is celebrated at Haradwar; when Jupiter is in Taurus and the sun is in Capricorn Kumbha Mela is celebrated at Prayag; and Jupiter and the sun are in Scorpio the Mela is celebrated at Ujjain

The other activities include religious discussions, devotional singing, mass feeding of holy men, women, and the poor. Khumb Mela is the most sacred of all pilgrimages.

The Sadhus are seen in saffron sheets with ash on them and powder on their skin, for the requirements of ancient traditions.

About 7 to 10 million people attend Khumb Mela

The history of Khumb Mela is that there were gods who lost their strength and had to regain it. They needed Amritha ( Water of immortality). To get to the water they needed to make an agreement with their arch rivals the demons. However, the Khumb or urn containing the special water appeared and a fight broke out. It is believed that during the battle Lord Vishnu flew away with the Khumb and 4 drops landed in the places when Khumb Mela is celebrated, Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Noshik.