Dates of Ardh Kumbh Mela in
Allahabad, India, 2007
January 03 to Feb 26, 2007.
Kumbha Mela
The largest religious gathering in the world. According to astrologers,
the 'Kumbh Fair' 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 Maha (Grand) Kumbh takes place every 12th year in each of the following four locations:
- The Ardh (half) Mela (festival) will be held January 2007 at Allahabad. Main bathing date: Jan. 19.
- In 2010, March-April, Maha Kumbh Mela will be held at Haridwar in the foothills of the Himalayas. Main bathing date: April 14.
- In 2013, Maha Kumbh Mela will be held in Allahabad (Prayag), Jan. 27 to Feb. 25. Main bathing date: Feb. 10.
- In 2015, Maha Kumbh Mela will be held Aug. 15 to Sept. 13. Main bathing date: Sept. 13.
- In 2016, Maha Kumbh Mela will be held April 22 to May 21. Main bathing date: May 21.
The full moon in the Hindu month of Paush. This is the last full moon of winter. The sadhus will be at the Kumbh Mela and first pilgrims will already arrive. More would come in buses, trains and on foot.
According to Hindu Astrology, on this day the Sun enters the constellation Capricorn. This day is celebrated all over India through various festivals and pilgrimages. This is the first of the big bathing days.
This is "New Moon of the Saints." For the holy men and women this was their main bathing day where they participated in gilded and naked processions. It is also a day when new members to various holy monastic orders received their first initiation.
This is the fifth day of the bright half of the lunar month and is the beginning of spring in North India. Traditionally people wore yellow on this day. It is the day when people prayed to the Gods for a good bumper harvest.
This is the full moon in the month of Magha (January - February). Winter is a memory and the moon shines over the two holy rivers.
This is the Great Night of Shiva, the Naked One, from whose dreadlocks the Ganges flows. He married Parvati, daughter of the Himalayas on this day. Shiva has many followers, none more so than the naked Naga sadhus who live life in imitation of him.
