8 Facts You Need To Know About The Amazing Kumbh Mela Festival

The city Allahabad, which has recently acquired its ancient name ‘Prayagraj’, right now is the most visited place for Hindus from all over the world. People of all nationalities, castes, and skin colours set aside their differences and gather at the holy confluence of the sacred rivers (Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati) to wash away their sins and pay homage to their gods. Kumbh Mela festival is by far the greatest peaceful gathering in human history, which happens on a regular basis. Want to know more? Here are 8 facts you need to know…

Millions of devotees flock to one of the holy cities each Kumbh Mela – Allahabad (Prayagraj), Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. According to the Hindu mythology, these are the four holy cities, where the drops of Amrit (immortality nectar) fell from the sky when gods (devas) and demons (asuras) were battling each other to have a sip from the sacred pot. That pot filled with Amrit is called Kumbh, hence the name of the festival.

Kumbh Mela happens at the confluence of three sacred rivers: two that you can actually see – Ganga and Yamuna, and one that is mythical – Saraswati. Bathing in these waters is believed to cleanse the human body on different levels, balancing all the five elements of which it’s made of (along with the Universe itself). Because 72% of the human body is water and most of our planet is water as well, it is very important to take care of that physical aspect.

Maha Kumbh Mela or the Great Kumbh Mela happens every 144 years, Purna Kumbh Mela happens every 12 years, Ardh Kumbh Mela or the Half Mela, which is happening in Prayagraj right now, takes place every 6 years, and the Magh Kumbh Mela or Mini Kumbh Mela is happening every year in Prayagraj only. The city in which a certain Kumbh Mela will take place is decided according to the special position of planets.