Kumbh Mela In 2010 - the largest congregation of people in the world. At haridwar in indian himalayan state utrakhand Starting from 14 january till 28 april 2010
The origin of the Kumbh is very old and dates back to the time when Kalasha (pot of nectar of immortality) was recovered from Samudramanthan (during the churning of the primordial sea), for which a tense war between Devtas (Gods) and Asuras (Demons) ensued. To prevent the Amrita Kalasha being forcibly taken into possession by Asuras, who were more powerful than Devtas, its safety was entrusted to the Devtas Brahaspati, Surya, Chandra and Shani. The four Devtas ran away with the Amrita Kalasha to hide it from the Asuras. Learning the conspiracy of Devtas, Asuras turned ferocious and chased the 4 Devtas running with Amrita Kalasha. The chase, lasted 12 days and nights during which the Devtas and Asuras went round the earth and during this chase, Devtas put Amrita Kalasha at Haridwar, Prayag, Ujjain and Nasik. To commemorate this holy event of the Amrita Kalasha being put at 4 places, Kumbh is celebrated every 12 years.According to other Pauranic legends, actual fight took place between Devtas and Asuras resulting in the Amrita Kalash being knocked, out of which Amrita (Nectar) fell down at the above 4 places.

The Religious Importance
The festival is religiously most important for the Hindus. At every Kumbh occassion, millions of Hindus take part in the celebrations. During 2004 Kumbh at Haridwar, more than 10 millions devoteed gathered at the site. Saints, priests, and yogis from all corners of India, gathered to participate in Kumbh. Haridwar is considered very holy, due to the fact that Ganga enter plains from mountains here itself.
The festival is visited by the most amazing saints from all across India. The Naga Sadhus are one such, who never wear any cloth and are smeared in ash. They have long matted hairs and are not at all affected by the extremes of heat and cold. Then there are the Urdhwavahurs, who believe in putting the body through severe austerities. There are the Parivajakas, who have taken a vow of silence and go about tinkling little bells to get people out of their way. The Shirshasins stand all 24 hours and meditate for hours standing on their heads. Spending the entire month of Kumbh on the banks of Ganga, meditating, performing rituals and bathing thrice a day, are the Kalpvasis.

It is believed that bathing during Kumbh cures the bather of all sins and evils and grants the bather, salvation. It is also believed that at the time of Kumbh Yog, the water of Ganga is charged with positive healing effects and that water at the time of Kumbh is charged positively by enhanced electromagnetic radiations of the Sun, Moon and the Jupiter, the flux of which also varies in accordance to positions and the phases of the moon, and also by the + and - signs of the sun spots.
The following table shows the positions of the planets when the Kumbh Fair is held at four different places in India.

Haridwar is well connected to the major cities, it lies on the National Highway no. 58 and road network is good. There are regular buses from Delhi in every 30 minutes.

Bathing Ghats
The main & common reason for one to attend the holy festival of Kumbh Mela is to take dip in Holy river, It is said that a holy dip in sacred rivers during Maha Kumbh or Ardh kumbh takes human out of the circle of life & death ( stage known as Moksha ). Pilgrims & Sadhus in great numbers from around the world visit here to liberate themselves. Holy rivers like Ganges , Yamuna & celestial Sarawati at Parayag ( Sangam at Allahbad ) is age old symbol of Indian Culture & Civilization. These river offers purity, wealth, fertility and wash away the sins of those who bath in it. There are many bathing ghats at Haridwar the main ghat is Har Ki Pauri.

Har Ki Pauri
This sacred Ghat was constructed by King Vikramaditya in memory of his brother Bhartrihari. It is believed that Bhartrihari eventually came to Haridwar to meditate by the banks of holy Ganga. When he died, his brother constructed a Ghat in his name which later came to be known as Hari-Ki-Pari.This sacred bathing ghat is also known as Brahmakund Ghat.Vikramaditya remains an enigma; some historians date his reign to 57 BC, others to the sixth century AD. The reflection of golden hues of floral diyas in the river Ganga is the most enchanting sight in the twilight during the Ganga Arti ceremony. Attending the Ganga Arti which is performed here.

Asthi Prawah Ghat
Immediately south of the main Ganga temple is the Asthi Prawah Ghat, where the ashes of the dead are immersed in the Ganga, in the belief that as with the 60,000 sons of Sanger, the cooling waters of the river will bestow salvation upon the departed soul From time to time, when the canal is closed, beggars sift the river bed in search of gold or coins which may have been immersed with the ashes.

Subhash Ghat
Subhash Ghat, with a statue of the freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, is adjacent to Har-Ki-Pairi. The Sewa Samiti, another voluntary organization, runs a dispensary here and also assists pilgrims.

Gau Ghat
South of Subhash Ghat is Gau Ghat, where people seek atonement for the sin of cow-slaughter (gau means cow) The unique veneration of cow in India goes back 3500. years. The cow was “Kamadhenu”, the fulfiller of desires, and a cherished item of wealth. Death ceremonies were completed with the pious act of donating a cow. The sin of killing a cow is “equal to the sin of killing a Brahmin”.

Bathing Dates

1.	14th January.2010	Thursday	Makarsankranti
2.	15th January.2010	Friday	Mauni Aamavasya – Suryagrahan Snan
3.	20th January.2010	Wednesday	Basant Panchami
4.	30th January.2010	Saturday	Maagh Purnima
5.	12th February.2010	Friday	Shree Maha Shivratri – Shahi Snan
6.	15th March.2010	Monday	Somawati Aamavasya – Shahi Snan
7.	16th March.2010	Tuesday	Navsamvatarambh Snan
8.	24th March.2010	Wednesday	Shree Ramnavami Snan
9.	30th March.2010	Tuesday	Chaitra Purnima (Parv Snan) / Vaishnav Akhara Snan
10.	14th April.2010	Wednesday	Mesha Sankranti – Shahi Snan Mukhya Snan Parv
11.	28th April.2010	Wednesday	Vaisakh Aadhi Maas Purnima Snan

How to reach Haridwar

By Air
The city of Haridwar does not have an airport and the nearest one is Jolly Grant (45 Km) of Dehradun. From Dehradun one can take a train / bus or hire a taxi to reach Haridwar. If coming from any city outside India, it will be better to take a flight to Delhi and then reach Haridwar by train or bus.

By Road
By road, Haridwar is well connected with major destinations of the region. While NH 58 connects Haridwar with the country's capital - Delhi, NH 72 connects it with Uttarakhand state's capital - Dehradun.

By Rail
Going by the train is another good option since the journey is not only comfortable by also proves to be very economical. Haridwar has its own railway station with trains connecting it with major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata besides others. Trains like Shatabdi Express, Jan Shatabdi Express, Ujjaini Express, Mussoorie Express and Doon Express regularly ply between Delhi and Haridwar.

 

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