some background on kumbh

Some background on the Kumbh Mela

INDIA must be the only country in the world where a solar eclipse is seen as a spiritual event, where millions will take a dip in the sacred rivers, where scientists and holy men meet….. only the sacred has been there for thousands of years.Here there are sadhus chanting mantras for Vishnu, for Shiva… and…

A million of beliefs, thousands of gurus… the world of polytheism… a recognition to all the paths, beliefs,…. Because all eventually are based on the understanding that there is a higher consciousness, and we can be there because TAT TWAM ASI…(You are that)… SO HUM …
What is Panotheism? For this we enter the event called Kumbh. Starting the day before the eclipse and continuing till April 28, thousands of different schools, systems of thought, practice and ritual come together this year in the City of Hardwar.- A marvel of organization- how does a small town organize these many people- An event which comes only once every 12 years- An event which draws men and women from all over India and the world – diversity and unity- Kumbah Mela 2010.- The Kumbh mela is the largest gathering the world and this year it is expected that over 1,00,00,000 people will visit.

Kumbh Mela : The Event

The Gathering:
Kumbh is one of the most interesting gatherings where all the sadhus who have renounced the world and are living in secluded forests and mountains come down and are available to the millions who are attending . It is attended by devotees from all over India and also many tourists.

The Legend:

Haridwar, the holy city lies at the foot of the Shivalik range of the Himalayas. Legend goes that when lord Shiva sent the Ganga Sagar, where it meets the sea, Ganga to quench the thirst of the people, extricated herself from the matted locks of Lord Shiva and descended to the plains at Haridwar. From here, the Ganga proceeds eastwards and southwards towards Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna and Calcutta.

The Bathing Dates:
Kumbh is organized around the main bathing dates which are :
14 January 2010 - Makar Sankranti : According to Hindu mythology, on this day the sun enters the constellation of Capricorn and this is the first bathing date of Kumbh Mela 2010 Haridwar.
15 January 2010 - Mauni Amavasya and Surya Grahan : This phase of bathing could also be said as “ New Moon of the Saints”. For the holy men and women this is a main bathing day where they participated in gilded and naked procession.
20 January 2010 - Vasant Panchami : This is also called as the fifth day of the bright half of the lunar month and is the beginning of spring in North India. It’s the day when people prayed to God for a good bumper harvest.
30 January 2010 - Magh purnima : This is the full moon in the month of Magha ( January – February). Winters is a memory and the moon shines over the holy river,
12 to 13 February 2010 - Mahashivratri – Pratham Shahi Snan : It is the great night of Lord Shiva and the Naked one, from whose dreadlocks the Ganges flows. He married Parvati, daughter of t the Himalayas on this day.
15 March 2010 - Somvati Amavasya: The no moon day on a Monday is such an auspicious event that the river Ganga, the Divine Cosmos, along with all the revered pilgrimages on this earth, shower exceptional spiritual benediction on anyone who performs worship, or meditation on this auspicious day. The significance of this day is equivalent to the auspiciousness of a Solar Eclipse.
24 March 2010 - Ram Navami : A famous Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of their Lord Ram who was the significance of Lord Vishnu (Hari) in earth. It is auspicious to undertake a fast on this day in the name of Ram.
30 March 2010 - Chaitra Purnima Snan : The full moon night of Chaitra month is particularly sacred to the Chitra Guptas ( the recording angels of the Hindu pantheon). A special worship is offered to these celestial representatives of the god of death, and an offering of spiced rice is prepared and later distributed as Prasad.
14 April 2010 - Amavasya or Krishna Paksha : The no moon night in the month of Vaisakh ( termed as first month of year according to Hindu Calendar year) is the festival of Vata Savitri Vratam. It is a fast day observed by all Hindu married women for their husbands’ good health and longevity.
28 April 2010 – Vaishakha Purnima : The full moon night, last auspicious bathing date of the Kumbh Mela festival at Haridwar marks the three major event of Lord Buddha’s life: His birth, enlightenment and death

the Place :
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 enters the plains from the mountains from here.

The Sadhu’s :
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.The many akhadas....Spending the entire month of Kumbh on the banks of Ganga, meditating, performing rituals and bathing thrice a day, are the Kalpvasis.