Some interesting facts about the Kumbha Mela

– Kumbha Mela is the largest religious gathering in the world which is also known as ‘World’s largest congre-gation of religious pilgrims’.

– The first written evidence of the Kumbha Mela is mentioned in Bhagvat Purana. Another written evidence of Kumbha Mela is mentioned in the works of Chinese traveller Hsuan Tsang (or Xuanzang) who visited India in 629-645 AD, during the reign of Harshavardhana. The Samudra Manthan is also mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu Purana, Mahabharata and Ramayana.

– Amongst the four cities Prayagraj, Nashik, Haridwar and Ujjain, the Kumbha Mela held in Prayagraj is the oldest of all.

– The other activities that also take place at the Kumbha Mela besides bathing are – Pravachans, Kirtans and Maha Prasad.

– No doubt, Kumbha Mela is a major temporary source of earning that gives many people employment.

– In Kumbha Mela, the first bath known as Shahi Snan (renemed as  ‘Rajayogi [Royal] Bath’)  starts at 3 a.m., and is led by Saints. After the royal bath of the Saints, common people gets permission to bathe in the Holy river.

– According to Hindu Scriptures, it is believed that whoever takes a dip in the Holy water of Ganga is eternally blessed. Not only this, but it also washes the sins and moves them towards the path of Salvation.

– The four places or sites of Kumbha Mela is because of the Amrit or an immortal drink that was dropped by Shri Vishnu at these four places.

– The world’s largest gathering, Kumbha Mela, has been included in the UNESCO’s representative list ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’.

– Kumbha Mela takes place on the dates when the nectar is said to have fallen in the Holy river. Every
year, the dates are calculated according to the combination of Jupiter, the Sun and the Moon’s zodiac positions.

– Kumbha means ‘nectar’. Kumbha Mela story dates back to the time when Gods resided on the Earth. They had been weakened by the curse of Sage Durvasa and the demons were causing mayhem on the Earth.