Kumbh Mela 2019-India is recognized globally as a country that celebrates its traditions and cultural heritage.

And it’s Kumbh Mela-which is the largest peaceful gathering of pilgrims on the planet, is one such great event that marks the celebration of Hindu heritage.

देवानां द्वादशाहोभिर्मर्त्यै द्वार्दशवत्सरै:।

जायन्ते कुम्भपर्वाणि तथा द्वादश संख्यया:।।

सूर्य, चंद्र और बृहस्पति देवासुर संग्राम के समय अमृत कुंभ की रक्षा करते रहे। इन तीनों का संयोग जब विशिष्ट राशि पर होता है, तब कुंभ योग आता है।

 

---

1. The Kumbh Mela:

It is held every three years in Haridwar, Prayagraj, Ujjain, and Nasik.

the Kumbh Mela returns to each of these cities after 12 years.

Earlier in 2017 at Jeju, South Korea, UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage had adorned ‘Kumbh Mela’ on Representative List.

Commencing from January 15, 2019, the sacred city of Prayagraj will observe its first Maha Ardh Kumbh Mela after its recent rechristening.

The  Maha festivities will end on March 4, 2019.

The Kumbh Mela is a mystery for anybody who hasn’t been at the center of chaos in Prayagraj Mela.

So, let’s unravel the unknown and find out more about the incredible experience one usually associates with the Maha Kumbh Mela’s.

2. Kumbha Snan Date-

Makar Sankranti day (1St shahi Snan)-14/15 January 2019 Monday and Tuesday.

• Paush Purnima Snan 21 January 2019 -Monday.

• Paush Ekadashi Snan-31 January 2019-Thursday.

• Mauni Amavasya (Main Royal Bath 2nd Shahi Snan) 04 February 2019-Monday.

• Basant Panchami (3rd shahi Snan) 10 February 2019-Sunday.

• Maghi Ekadashi Snan-16 February -Saturday.

• Maghi Poornima Snan-19 February 2019 Tuesday.

• Maha Shiv Ratri Snan- 04 March 2019 Monday.

• 
  इन तारीखों को होंगे कुंभ मेले के शाही स्नान–

  
  1- मकर संकांति –14 एवं 15 जनवरी 2019 -सोमवार एवं मंगलवार

  2- पौष पूर्णिमा– 21 जनवरी 2019-सोमवार

  3- पौष एकादशी स्नान– 31 जनवरी 2019 -गुरुवार

  4- मौनी अमावस्या– 4 फरवरी 2019-सोमवार

  5- बसंत पंचमी– 10 फरवरी 2019- रविवार

  6- माघी एकादशी– 16 फरवरी 2019 -शनिवार

  7- माघी पूर्णिमा– 19 फरवरी 2019-मंगलवार

  8- महाशिवरात्रि– 04 मार्च 2019-सोमवार

• The first Royal bath (Shahi Snan) of the Ardh Kumbh Mela will be observed on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti and it is here that all the prominent religious groups take a dip at the Triveni Sangam at Prayagraj.

• The second royal bath will take place on January 21 and is called Paush Poornima and the last bath will be observed on the day of the festival of Maha Shivratri on March 4, 2019.

3. Kumbha Mela- Hindu Mythology-

Kumbh means ‘vessel’ and ‘Mela’ means a festival and at the root of the Kumbh Mela legend, is the search for the nectar of immortality that would end the war between the gods and the demons.

• As per Hindu Mythology, a fight broke between gods and demigods during Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean).

• This Samudra  Manthan was done to extract out the Ambrosia (Amrit) from the depth of the Ocean.

• After the extraction was complete, the ambrosia was filled in a Kumbh (pot) and to seize the Amrit from the demons, Garuda (vehicle of Lord Vishnu) took the pot and flew away.

• During his flight, he spilled drops of the drink on earth at 4 different places, namely- Haridwar, Ujjain, Prayag (Allahabad), and Nashik.

• Making these places as well as the rivers flowing in the cities holy and the Kumbh Mela is said to have originated after this incident and is held ever since with a lot of zeal.

 

---

4. Astrological aspect Of Kumbh Mela-

According to the popular belief, the Kumbh celebrations start at the exact moment when the astrological positions of the sun, the moon, and Jupiter are fully occupied. And as it is considered to be the holiest time in Hinduism.

Pilgrims show their devotion to God towards the rivers through aartis on the riverbanks.

They also express their full gratitude through fasting, Satsang, donation, veni daan and by offering prayers.

 

---

---

5. Some Special Aspect Of Kumbha Mela 2019 :-

The Kumbh Mela is held on the dates when the waters of the Sangam turns into nectar and the precise dates are calculated according to a combination of astrological positions of Jupiter, the Sun and the Moon.

• The Ardh Kumbh Mela will commence on January 15.
• When astrologically, the planet Jupiter is in Aries and Sun and Moon, are in Capricorn during the Hindu month of Magha.
• Hindus believe that people who bathe in the river during the auspicious dates are blessed by the Gods and all their sins would be washed away.
• Praygraj is very well connected by road, train, and air.
• The airport is 12 km away from the city center at Bamrauli and the city has four major railway stations namely Allahabad Junction, Prayag Station, City Station at Rambagh and Daraganj Station.
• Prayagraj is easily accessible via roads also.
• The government is also planning an airboat service between Varanasi and Prayagraj by January 26 and An airboat can cruise up to 80 kilometers per hour and requires a depth of only 10 centimeters.
• As many as 15 crore people are expected to land in Prayagraj for the Kumbh Mela festival, can you imagine?
• Special security arrangements have been made by the government of Uttar Pradesh and other volunteers.
• The UP Police and the Fire Department will set up temporary police and fire stations, respectively.
• The government is planning to install several thousand CCTV cameras and post nearly 20,000 policemen on the job, including 1100 lifeguards.

Railways To Run 4 Special ‘Pravasi Bharti’ Trains For Kumbh.

• The Yogi government is making provisions for a laser light and sound show and this show will commence almost a month before the beginning of Kumbh at the Prayagraj Fort Wall.

Pilgrims can show their devotion towards the rivers through aartis on the riverbanks.

They also express their full gratitude through fasting, Satsang, donation, veni daan and by offering prayers.

---

6. Attractions of Kumbh Mela 2019-

PESHWAI-

Peshwai is the local dialect for the word ‘Praveshai’ and which denotes the grand procession to mark the beginning of the Kumbh Mela and by welcoming people from all around the world.

In this procession, saints arrive in Kumbh along with their groups on elephants, horses and lavish carriages with bands by joy Ghosh.

Special routes are demarcated for these processions that are led by saints from various Akharas from different part of India.

CULTURAL EVENTS-

Five pandals will be set up by the UP government to display a series of cultural events ranging from musical performances to traditional. And folk dances on a daily basis from January 2019 onward.

The Ganga pandal will be the mega structure among all pandals for hosting all the major events and program.

WATERWAYS-

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is organizing ferry services on the river Yamuna near Sangam Ghaton this occasion.

The special route for this service will start from Sujawan Ghat to Rail Bridge (Naini Side) to Boat Club Ghat to Saraswati Ghat and ends at Kila Ghat.

Multiple terminals will be constructed on this stretch of 20kms and boats and vessels will be provided by the Mela Authority and govt.

TOURIST WALKS-

The Uttar Pradesh government has introduced new routes for the tourists to visiting Allahabad.

Starting Point of Trail: Shankar Viman Mandapam
Stop 1: Bade Hanumanji Temple
Stop 2: Patalpuri Mandir
Stop 3: Akshaya Vat
Stop 4: Allahabad Fort
Stop 5: Ram Ghat

LASER LIGHT SHOW-

There will also be a provision for a Laser Light and Sound Show that shall be operational from December 2018 onward at the Prayagraj Fort Wall,just check it.

The UP government has also released a list of Dos and Dont’s for the pilgrims visiting the Kumbh site please have a look-

---

7. Kumbh Mela 2019 Do’s:

• Travel light and carry medicines if advised by the doctor.
• Beware of facilities like hospitals, food, and emergency services, etc.
• Know emergency contact numbers in the diary.
• Use toilets and urinals available here.
• Use dustbins for disposal of Waste and belonging.
• Use parking spots for parking of vehicles and follow traffic rules always.
• Inform the Police or Mela Administration if any unidentified or suspicious object is found surroundings.
• Cooperate with the Departments involved in organizing the Mela prangan.
• Be attentive towards your belongings and make judicious use of the Lost and Found centers.

---

8. Kumbh Mela 2019 Dont’s:                                     

• Don’t carry valuables, unnecessary food, and clothing along with you.
• Don’t eat at unauthorized places or here and there.
• Don’t venture into the river beyond permissible limits.
• Don’t pollute the rivers by using soaps, detergents for cleaning/ washing purpose or by throwing Pujan Samagri here and there.
• Don’t be in crowded places if suffering from contagious disease.

---

9. Kumbha Mela Record:

The Kumbh Mela in Allahabad in 2013 attracted a record massive crowd of approximately 10 crore people!

The Mela creates approximately 650,000 jobs and was estimated to earn around Rs 12,000 crore in 2013 too, just imagine!

 For the 2013 Mela officials set up 14 temporary hospitals and   staffed with 243 doctors, more than 40,000 toilets, and stationed 50,000 police officials to maintain order.

---

10. Conclusion:

Every three years, a Kumbh Mela is held by the rotation process in Haridwar, Allahabad, Nasik, and Ujjain.

Then there are the Ardha Kumbh Melas at Haridwar and Allahabad, every six years and the Purna Kumbh Mela held only at Allahabad every 12 years.

 The holiest of all these Kumbh Melas is the Maha Kumbh Mela that happens in Allahabad at Prayag — the confluence of three of the holiest of India’s rivers, The Ganga, the Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati River.

The whole area is energized — the water, the air, and the entire atmosphere become charged with that  Cosmic force.

Taking a bath in the Ganga, which is imbued with that power, promotes spiritual growth and health, emotional strength and puts you on the path to Moksha.

You can read here also-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumbh_Mela

---

 

• • If you enjoyed this blog post, share it with a friend!

• • Did you find this blog post helpful?
  • If so, who could share it with?

• • I’d like to grow my readership.
  • Can you help me out by sharing this blog post with your family and friends?

• “What am I missing here?
• Let me know in the comments and I’ll add it in the next!”