Kumbh-mela-tour-Package
He largest religious gathering in the world. According to astrologers, the ' Kumbh Mela ' takes place when the planet Jupiter enters Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries.
Kumbha (Kumbha means pot) Mela (means fair) is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage that takes place at the following four locations of India:
Prayag, Allahabad (in the state of Uttar Pradesh) at the confluence of three holy rivers - Ganga (Ganges), Yamuna and Saraswati
Haridwar (in the state of Uttar Pradesh) where the river Ganga enters the plains from Himalayas
Ujjain (in Madhya Pradesh), on the banks of shipra river, and
Nasik (in Maharashtra) on the banks of Godavari river.
The pilgrimage occurs four times every twelve years, once at each of the four locations. Each twelve-year cycle includes
the Maha (great) Kumbh Mela at Prayag, attended by millions of people, making it the largest pilgrimage gathering around
the world.
Kumbh Mela derives its name from the immortal - Pot of Nectar - described in ancient Vedic scriptures known as the
Puranas. Kumbha in Sanskrit language means 'pot or pitcher'. Mela means 'festival'. Thus Kumbh Mela literally means
festival of the pot. Or in this case a festival celebrating the appearance of the pot of nectar.
The ancient origin of the Kumbh Mela is described in the time-honored Vedic literatures of India as having evolved from the bygone days of the universe when the demigods and the demons conjointly produced the nectar of immortality. It is said
that the demigods and the demons assembled on the shore of the milk ocean that lies in the celestial region of the cosmos.
The demigods and the demons made a plan to churn the milk ocean to produce the nectar of immortality. They then agreed
to share the nectar equally once it was produced.
For the task of churning the milk ocean, the Mandara Mountain was used as the churning rod, and Vasuki, the king of
serpents, became the rope for churning. As the churning began, the Mandara Mountain began to sink deep into the ocean,
at which time Vishnu incarnated as a great tortoise and supported the mountain on His back. With the demigods at
Vasuki's tail and the demons at his head, they churned the milk ocean for one thousand years.
The churning of the milk ocean first produced a deadly poison which Shiva drank without being affected. As Shiva drank
the poison, a few drops fell from his hands and were licked up by scorpions, snakes, and similar other deadly creatures.
After Shiva drank the poison, numerous opulent items were produced. First a surabhi cow appeared, who could yield
unlimited quantities of milk. A white horse named Uccaihsrava was then produced, as well as a white elephant named
Airavata. Then a valuable gem called the Kaustubha-mani appeared.
Next came the apsaras, beautiful dancing girls, and a host of other wonderful things appeared from the milk ocean. At last a male person named Dhanvantari appeared carrying the pot of immortal nectar in His hands. Seeing Dhanvantari with the pot
of nectar, both the demigods and demons became anxious. The demigods, being fearful of what would happen if the demons drank their share of the nectar of immortality, forcibly seized the pot.
Wherever the demigods went with the pot of nectar, fierce fighting ensued. In an endeavor to keep the nectar from falling into
the hands of the demons, the demigods hid it in four places on the earth, Prayag (Allahabad), Hardwar, Ujjain, and Nasik. At each of the hiding places, a drop of immortal nectar spilled from the pot and landed on the earth. These four places are since believed to have acquired mystical power.
Eventually, the demons overtiful woman, Mohini-murti, and approached the demons. When the demons saw the charming
beauty of Mohini-murti, they lost all composure. Seeing Her slender hips, raised breasts, and pleasing smile, the demons completely forgot about drinking the nectar of immortality. While the demons were thus bewildered by Her beauty,
Mohini-murti seized the nectar and returned it to the demigods, who drank it immediately.
Contact us if you wish to visit India to attend the next Kumbh Mela .
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