At the sacred Triveni Sangam, Allahabad (now renamed Prayagraj) will host Ardh Kumbh Mela 2019 for Hindu devotees to throng. Hosted every six years when Jupiter is in Aries or Taurus and Sun and Moon are in Capricorn during the Hindu month of Magha, Allahabad transforms into a land that blesses devotees taking a dip at the confluence of holy rivers.
Boasting a colossal gathering, Allahabad Ardh Kumbh Mela 2019 will begin from January 15 and will end on March 4. This months-long religious festival, apart from inviting millions of devotees, welcomes various Vaishnavite and Shaivite Akhadas who bathe in the water before anyone else.
Bathing Dates
The first out of three Shahi Snans (Royal Baths) will occur on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti on January 15 when the 14 prestigious Akhadas (religious groups) including the Digambar Ani have the opportunity to bathe in the water at Sangam in Allahabad. The second important bathing is Paush Poornima that will take place on January 21. The sacred religious fair will witness its last bath on the day of the festival of Maha Shivratri on March 4.
Mind boggling experience
Crazy and chaotic are the words that best define the Kumbh Mela. Amidst the intermittent chanting of mantras, the heart rendering dance of the Aghoris and the holy ghats lit up with fiery diyas, you will have no chance but to go with the flow. The Kumbh Mela, will not just lend you with a day’s feeling but a mind boggling experience of a lifetime.
Swarming like fireflies towards a bulbous giant, millions of zealous devotees come together to wash their sins during the Kumbh Mela.The origin of these mammoth spiritual gatherings can be traced back to the existence of demons and gods on earth. As per Hindu mythology, Kumbh derived from the Sanskrit word ‘pitcher,’ had the ‘Amrita’ the immortal nectar that had appeared during the ‘Samudramanthan’. It is believed that the gods and the demons had churned the milky ocean to obtain the same.
One among the most euphoric religious events in India, the Kumbh Mela is celebrated four times in every twelve years. Herds of sadhus and devotees crowd the sanctified pavilions to be a part of the ‘world’s massive act of faith.’ Kumbh Mela is considered the most auspicious time to take a dip in the sacred river to free oneself from sins and attain a step forward towards salvation.
The most popular draws of the mela are the Nagas (naked sadhus), Urdhawavahurs (who expose their body to extreme austerities) and the Kalpwasis (the ones who bathe three times a day). Apart from these, the rituals that are performed during this time are worth witnessing.
The Kumbh Mela observes the world’s largest peaceful gathering at some of the very significant destinations in the history of Hinduism. Haridwar (river Ganga), Prayag (Triveni sangam of Yamuna, Ganga and Saraswati), Ujjain (river Kshipra), and Nasik (river Godavari) are the Kumbh Mela destinations which are said to be eternally blessed during this time. Enthusiastic travelers and ardent roamers who yearn to explore the cultural heritage of India can be part of the incessant hysteria at the Kumbh.
How to Reach:
By Air: Bamrauli Airport, Allahabad – 6 km; Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, Varanasi – 150 km; Amausi International Airport, Lucknow – 200 km
By Train: Allahabad Railway Junction – 4 km; Prayag Station – 2 km; Rambagh Station – 3 km
By Road: Civil Lines Bus Stand – 5 km
Stay: Stay facilities are available in the Tent Colony raised during the time of Melas. A number of hotels are available in Katra as well as Civil Lines
