Alternatively organized in the holy cities of Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik, the Kumbh Festival or the Kumbh Mela features the largest human gathering in the world. The religious festival invites devotees, sadhus, rishiks, yogis and tourists from almost every corner of the world. Hindus believe that the waters of the Ganges turn into nectar on the auspicious occasion of Kumbh Mela in Haridwar. And that a holy dip in the divine waters of Ganga eliminates all the evil and past sins from an individual's life.
The most surreal scenes can be witnessed on the riverbanks of the Ganges during Kumbh Mela. From dawn till dusk, rites and rituals continue while Naga Babas, a big attraction for all, keep themselves busy meditating and practicing different yogic postures.
History of Kumbh Mela
The religious history of Kumbh Mela remains associated with numerous legends. There is an interesting legends which relates to the origin of the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar. Hindus believe that Lord Brahma gave gods a piece of advise to rid them of their weakness, caused during the creation of the earth. Following Lord Brahma's advise, the gods began to churn the ocean to obtain amrit from its waters. As the task was quite tough, the gods sought the assistance of demons. The gods, in return, made a deal with the demons that the latter could have half of the nectar that was to obtained from the ocean. The demons agreed to it.
However, after the gods became successful in procuring the nectar, they tried to run away without sharing half of it with the demons, as was promised in the deal. The gods feared that if the demons got their share of nectar, they might put it to some wrong use. Irritated and angered, the demons ran after the gods to receive their promised share of nectar.
Finally, when the demigods came to the rescue, they hid the nectar in four different places. While doing so, the demi gods happened to spill a drop of this nectar fell down on earth. Blessed by this drop of nectar, four sacred sites came into being, one among these being Haridwar itself. Therefore, astrologers also have the belief that the water of the Ganges attains nectar-like properties during the Kumbh Mela season in Haridwar.
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