Legend has it: Kumbh is the Sanskrit word for 'pitcher', and also the Vedic astrological sign (zodiac Aquarius) under which the festival is held. The significance of Kumbh is rooted in the myth of Samudramanthan, or the churning of the cosmic ocean by gods and demons out of which emerged amrita, the elixir of immortality. The story symbolises the churning within humans to find their inner treasure. As the story goes, a dispute broke out between the gods and the demons as to which group should have the amrita. Jayanta, son of Indra, the King of Gods, escaped with the pitcher containing the elixir. As he ran for 12 days (believed to be equal to 12 human years), drops of the elixir fell at four places - Haridwar, Prayag, Nashik and Ujjain. These are today the sites of the Kumbh Mela. The Kumbh is held every three years; the Ardh Kumbh every six years, and the Poorna Kumbh every 12 years. Prayag at the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati became the site of the Maha Kumbh held every 144 years.
Visit like a local: Other than the baths, the Mela offers yoga classes, lectures, discourses, musical and cultural programs, and religious rituals. It also offers the opportunity to meet spiritually advanced beings who lead unique and extremely interesting lives rooted in the search for truth.
Where: Banks of River Ganga in Haridwar.
When to go: Every 12 years, in the Hindu calendar month of Chaitra (March-April), when Jupiter is in Aquarius and the Sun in Aries. The last Kumbh was held in Haridwar in the year 2021.
While you are here: Take a dip in the River Ganga at stepped banks such as Har ki Pauri, Vishnu Ghat, Ganesh Ghat, Birla Ghat and Gau Ghat. Haridwar is a hub of ashrams where you can stay and enjoy a simple life, learn yoga and meditation, or receive Ayurvedic and traditional treatments. Some of the ashrams are Shantikunj, Ma Anandamayi Ashram, Sapt Rishi Ashram, Harihar Ashram, Bharat Sevashram Sangh and Vyas Ashram.
