Maha Kumbh Mela at Haridwar, India
India is a place where many religious and spectacular events are held almost every day and the significance of these is unparallel in the indigenous culture and tradition. Kumbh Mela is perhaps the biggest event where millions gather at one place and take dip in Holy water of a Holy River to wash off their sins. The Maha (Biggest) Kumbh Mela (Human Gathering) at Haridwar in north India is the perfect intermingle of languages, religions, sects, communities and people, which has helped this event carry its importance well into modern times. The Maha Kumbh Mela this year began on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti- January 14th 2010 and will continue to attract devotes until it ends in April, 2010.
Mythology contains the cause of origin of this auspicious day, which has been celebrated since the time of human origin. According to it, when the gods and devils were fighting for the possession of the pot of nectar which guaranteed immortality, few drops from the pot fell in four different holy places, which made them the centre of Kumbh Melas. Planetary configurations decide the dates of the Maha Kumbh Melas which are organized in each twelve years. The Maha Kumbh Mela at Haridwar is the biggest of all the Kumbhs and is rightly cited as the path to salvation.
The visuals that one can see at the Kumbh Mela are something that they will not find elsewhere and the pure devotion of all the people who make it the Kumbh makes it even more special. The echoing music and the sounds of the chanting makes the atmosphere divine with all aiming to be close to the Supreme God in all the true meaning. The Naga Sadhus who cover their body with nothing but plain earth and ash and carrying tridents, silver maces, swords and swears do present an awesome view. Various sages from all the different Akharas fill the holy ghats and everyone just waits to take a dip in the Holy Ganga River’s Jal (water) which sure turns into nectar to wash away everything evil and bad.
Haridwar turns into a small world with all gathering from world over at one place forgetting their differences and joining in an endeavor to be blessed and purified. The religious leaders, politicians and the common man are all merged into one big crowd with nothing to distinguish them from each other. The ten Shahi Snans or the royal baths are the days, which attract the most crowd and with the religious belief flying high, no one remains aloof from the God. The evening prayers with millions of lights floating on the Holy Ganga banks and the aura the same sends is something which can only be experienced in self.
