subject: Haridwar Kumbh Mela 2010 [print this page] Kumbh Mela is one of the largest & oldest religious gatherings held by Hindus believing that the waters of the Ganges turn into nectar on this auspicious occasion. People from all over the world gather here for a holy dip in the divine water of Ganga as they believe it eliminates all the evil and past sins from an individual's life.
Location
The Kumbh Mela is held on a rotational basis in four of the most holy Hindu places in India -- on the banks of the Godavari River in Nashik (Maharastra), the Shipra River in Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh), the Ganges River in Haridwar (Uttarakhand), and convergence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers in Allahabad/Prayag (Uttar Pradesh). The Kumbh Mela is held in each location once every 12 years
Sacred Hindu festival of 2010-Experience the Kumbh Mela 2010 at Haridwar
Soon, the entire holy town of Haridwar would be reverberating with temple bells and Vedic chants. Sadhus, rishis and yogis would overpack Haridwar. Pilgrims and devotees would be busy taking a sacred dip in the divine waters of the Ganges and observing rites and rituals. Thus one can experience the most surreal scenes on the riverbanks of the Ganges during Kumbh Mela. From dawn till dusk, rites and rituals continue.
Mela Pilgrims:
Naga Babas, a big attraction for all, keep themselves busy meditating and practicing different yogic postures. These Naga Babas remain naked, with long matted hair and the body smeared in ashes. It is interesting to see that the extremities of weather do not affect them.
Urdhwavahurs sadhus, who believe in observing self mortification.
Sadhus of the Parivajakas sects who observe complete silence. In order to clear the way, they do not say a word but tinkle little bells.
Shrishasins who keep themselves in the standing posture round the clock. They remain busy meditating standing upside down.
Kalpvasis -- who remain by the river banks and devote their time to meditating, performing rituals, and bathing numerous times a day.
Sacred bathing at the Mela:
The most important ritual of the Kumbh Mela in India is the ceremonial dip in the water. The Hindus believe that a bath in the holy waters will cleanse them and their ancestor"s evil and sin. This would ensure their salvation or moksha from the cycle of life, death and rebirth. Ritual bathing is done in the open on the banks of river with complete submergence of the body under water and an oblation to the sun. The most auspicious day for the ritual bath at Kumbh is on the day of the new moon. Pilgrims start lining up to bathe from around 3 a.m. on this day. After bathing, the pilgrims wear fresh clothes and proceed to worship by the river bank. They then walk around listening to discourses from the various sadhus.
Thus all of India's saints, sages, mendicants and fakirs come out of their caves to celebrate the Kumbh Mela. Kumbh Mela is the thus, the biggest religious gathering of humanity on the earth with a distinct amalgamation of religion and socio-cultural significance.
by: Subhash Kandpal
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