Triveni Sangam in Allahabad

The Maha Kumbh Mela is celebrated at Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh at the Triveni Sangam where the significant holy rivers Ganga and Yamuna join together. The Maha Kumbh Mela has a strong influence as it is the largest human gathering in history, irrespective of any worldly barriers of caste, creed, color and religion.

The Ardh or Half Kumbh Mela is observed after every 6 years at Haridwar and Allahabad. The Purna or complete Kumbh Mela is observed after every 12 years at four places Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. The Maha or Great Kumbh Mela is celebrated after every 12 "Purna Kumbh Melas" or 144 years.

It is a once in a lifetime to witness millions of pilgrims and tourists from all over the world come together in this spectacle of Faith. The festival witnesses the ritual bathing in sacred water by millions of devotees. The ceremonial dip is an important ritual and is believed that bathing on the auspicious days cleanses one of all sins and he or she achieves Moksha i.e. liberation from the cycle of life, death and rebirth.

People bathe where the Holy Rivers Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati converge. The point is referred as Triveni Sangam. During the Kumbh Mela, each day is auspicious for bathing. However, some dates have special significance and are considered most auspicious. Following are the auspicious dates for Maha Khumb Mela 2013:

• Thursday January 14, 2013 (Maha Sankranti)
• Sunday January 27, 2013 (Paush Purnima)
• Wednesday February 6, 2013 (Ekadashi Snan)
• Sunday February 10, 2013 (Mauni Amavasya Snan)
• Friday February 15, 2013 (Basant Panchami Snan)
• Sunday February 17, 2013 (Rath Saptami Snan)
• Thursday February 21, 2013 (Bhisma Ekadashi Snan)
• Monday February 25, 2013 (Maghi Purnima Snan)

The main dates when the Sadhus (Holy men) bathe (also known as the Royal Bath) are Jan 14, Feb 10 and Feb 15. All sects of Sadhus will arrive in the area by January 12, 2013 and will leave by the last bathing date. As technology advances, tradition seems to be blending in with Technology in the Maha Kumbh Mela 2013. With Google map integration, GPS, flying cameras, LED Screens, etc the festival is getting technically advance too.


Last Updated on : 15 January 2013