Kumbhmela is a massive Hindu spiritual travel of faith where in Hindus gather to bathe in a holy river. It has been considered to be the biggest peaceful gathering in the world-wide in which around 100 million people gather on different places for this auspicious occasion.
Kumbh Mela is considered to be one of the largest holiest festivals in India which is celebrated in the 04 Holy Places of India,Haridwar- popularly known as The Gateway to the Gods, Prayag – Allahabad Triveni Sangam the place where the Maha Kumbh Mela is prominently celebrated every 12 years, Ujjain – well known for the powerful Shiva Temple “Mahakaleshwar” along with the Goddess Temple and also at Nasik - Holy town where Lord Rama and Sita spent many years in exile at Panchvati . Nasik is usually the home of the important Shiva Jyotirlinga Temple “Trimbakeshwar” which is the source of Holy River Godavari.
Story Behind Kumbhmela
Kumbh Mela is considered as the most auspicious time period of India. The origin of Kumbh Mela goes back to the time when Gods ( Devtas ) and Demons ( Asura ) lived on earth . Devtas were under the influence of a curse which awakened worry inside them finally which makes them weak and coward. Brahma (the creator) suggested them to agitate the milky ocean to obtain the elixir of immortality. The Mandara Mountain has acted as the churning rod and Vasuki (king of serpents) was used as a rope for churning. Kumbh was the pot which contains the nectar of immortality and was retrieved from Samudramanthan .
Devtas asked the help of demons to do this hardy task to complete with mutual agreement of sharing the elixir of immortality equally .
They churned the ocean for 1000 years , in which demons were holding Vasuki’s head and Gods were holding its tail 
Finally after this whole churning process , Dhanwantari appeared with Kumbh in his hands . To prevent the amrita (elixir of immortality ) from demons , the protection was assigned to Gods Brahaspati , Surya , Shani and Chandra . After understanding the conspiracy of the Devtas , demons turned violent and attacked them . Devtas knew that demons owned even more power and could easily defeat them . The Devtas ran away with the Kumbh to hide it away and they were chased by Asuras . For 12 days and 12 nights the Gods were chased by Demons for the possession of Amrita . These 12 days of Gods are equal to 12 years of Humans . During this chasing for the elixir of immortality the drops from Kumbh fell at four places – Allahabad , Haridwar , Ujjain and Nasik .However some stories tells us that Demons were chased by Gods for 12 days and nights when the drops of amrita fell down from Kumbh at Allahabad , Haridwar , Nasik and Ujjain . In some mythological scriptures it is stated that the battle between Gods and Demons in the sky lasted for twelve days for the possession of Amrita . To memorialize this holy event Maha Kumbh Mela is celebrated in every twelve years at the four sacred places where the drops from Kumbh were fallen .
It is believed that the river turns by itself into sanctity areas filled up with primordial amrita at the historic moment of the Maha Kumbh Mela . The pilgrims get once a lifetime opportunity to bathe in the spirit of holiness , auspiciousness and salvation .
The celebration of Kumbh Mela depends on the position of Jupiter (Brhaspati) and the sun. When the Sun is in Aries (Mesh Rashi) and Jupiter in Aquarius, it is celebrated in Haridwar. When Jupiter is in Taurus (Vrishabha Rashi) and the Sun is in Capricorn (Makar Rashi), then kumbh is celebrated at Prayag. Mela is celebrated in Ujjain when Jupiter and the Sun are in Scorpio (Vrishchik Rashi). It is said that when the Jupiter and the sun falls on the zodiac sign, Leo; then Kumbh Mela is celebrated at Trimbakeshwar in Nasik. Kumbh Mela is celebrated with great pomp and show, crowd gets crazy and scenario of the fare is breath taking. Devotees congregate and perform several rites and rituals. Numbers of ceremonies are performed like religious discussions, devotional singing, mass feeding of holy men and women and poor, out of which bathing is considered as most sacred and takes place at the bank of river in every town, where Kumbh is celebrated.
The
sadhus and other holy men are an integral part of the Mela. Pilgrims who attend
it come to see and listen to these men, in order to gain spiritual
enlightenment.
There
are various types of sadhus:
· Nagas -- naked sadhus who smear their bodies with ash and
have long matted hair. Constant exposure to the weather makes them resistant to
temperature extremes. Their eyes are bloodshot from constantly smoking charas (marijuana),
which they believe aids enlightenment.
Urdhwavahurs -- who have emaciated bodies from rigid spiritual
practices.
Parivajakas -- who have taken a vow of silence.
Shirshasinse -- who remain standing, sleep with their heads
resting on a vertical pole, and meditate standing on their heads.
Kalpvasis -- who remain by the river banks and devote their time
to meditating, performing rituals, and bathing numerous times a day.
The
main ritual is the ritual bath. Hindus believe that submerging themselves in
the sacred waters on the most auspicious day of the new moon will absolve them
and their ancestors of sin, thus ending the cycle of rebirth. Pilgrims start
lining up to bathe from around 3 a.m. on this day.
The main
ritual is the ritual bath . Hindus believe that submerging them-selves in the
sacred waters on the most auspicious day of the new moon will absolve them and
their ancestors and forefathers of sin , thus ending the cycle of rebirth .
Pilgrims start lining up to bathe from around 3 a .m . on this day .
As
the sun comes up, the different groups of sadhus move in procession towards the
river to bathe. The Nagas usually lead, while each group tries to outdo the
others with more grandeur and fanfare. The moment is magical, and everyone is
absorbed in it.
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.
Kumbh Mela 2015 is celebrated at Trimbakeshwar in Nasik which is in Maharashtra. Trimbakeshwar is a holy town of Nasik as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, Triyambakeshwar Jyotirlinga temple is situated there. Kumbh Mela in Nasik is celebrated once in every twelve years and is known as Sinhasta.
Nasik Kumbh Mela is celebrated when Jupiter and the sun falls on the zodiac sign, Leo. Find out information on Kumbh Mela Celebrations at Trimbakeshwar, Nasik.
important bathing dates are as follows:
26th August : First Snan – Shravan Sudha
29th August : First Shahi Snan – Shravan Purnima
13th September : Second Shahi Snan- Main bathing day – Bhadrapad Amavasya
18th September : Third Shahi Snan – Bhadrapad Shukla Panchami (Rushipanchami)
25th September : Vaman Dwadashi Snan – Bhadrapad Shukla Dwadashi
Nettoursindia has once again created customized tours for devotees from all over the world who wish to participate in the Kumbh Mela 2015 . We will be taking good care of all the logistics of managing Group Tours and individual specialized tours . Each and every explaining will be done with respect to the service standards available in the Kumbh Mela and make sure that every devotee goes back with a rich experience of taking part at the Kumbh Mela .
The next Maha Kumbh Mela 2016 will be held in Ujjain from 22nd April – 21st May 2016 .
Highlights of the 05 Days Kumbh Mela 2015 at Nasik/Trimbakeshwar are:
# 02 nights at Nasik Trimbakeshwar –
visit the Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, Holy bathing at Ram Kund and Kushavarta Holy Pond, visit Brahmagiri Hills and Gorakhnath Caves, participate in rituals, discourses, chanting and offering service to mankind, interact with Yogis and Naga Sadhus.
# 02 nights at Aurangadbad -
Visit the popular Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, important Shiva Temple at Girishneswar, World Heritage Sites Ajanta and Ellora Caves.
Offer Price for Kumbh Mela 2015 is at USD 499 per person on twin sharing. Our price is inclusive of accommodation 3* & boutique hotels on twin\double sharing basis with breakfast and all taxes, simple vegetarian lunch and dinner, transportation in AC Cars| coaches, sightseeing with experienced English speaking guide, all entrances to temples & monuments, services of our local tour escort who will take care of your personalized needs. Tour Price subject to change in case of any fluctuation in exchange rate or increase in hotel rates due to peak period and limited availability of accommodation.
Our prices exclude tips and expenses of personal nature, medical insurance, airfare and visa charges.
Book early !!!!! Bookings received after 30th June will pay additional USD 100.
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