Kumbh Mela is one of the largest Hindu religious fair which takes place every 12 years at four different places depends on positions of planets. Not only Hindus from India but a large number of tourists, pilgrims and foreigners take part in this event. Sages and ascetics dressed in saffron attires attend the Kumbh Mela in great deal. The mela is celebrated at four different places: NASHIK - at the banks of the Godavari River, HARIDWAR - on the Ganges River, UJJAIN – on the Kshipra (Shipra) River, in ALLAHABAD - at Sangam River of the Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati which was earlier known as Prayag.
HISTORY OF KUMBH MELA
To regain the strength which was lost by demigods due to the curse of Durvasa, they approached Lord Brahma & Lord Shiva who advised them to pray to Lord Vishnu, who instructed them to churn Ksheera Sagara (Ocean of Milk) to get the Amrit (Nectar of Immortality). As the demigods had lost their strengths, it became sturdy for them to take up this task alone. In order to complete this task, they went into a mutual agreement with the demons and to share half of the nectar of immortality. The Mandara Mountain was used as a churning rod. At first, a pot of deadly poison was produced, which was drunk by Lord Shiva. When the Kumbh (pot) of the immortal nectar appeared, the demigods, fearing the ill intents of the devils, seized the pot. Learning that their part of the agreement has not been kept, the demons went after the demigods and the chase continued for 12 days and 12 nights. While the demigods were hiding and running, the nectar from the pot fell at four different places - Allahabad, Haridwar, Nashik and Ujjain. Since then, it has been believed that these places posses mystical powers and hence Kumbh Mela is celebrated at these places. As 12 days of gods is equivalent to 12 years of human beings, it is celebrated after every 12 years at these holy places.