subject: Kumbh Mela 2010, Haridwar [print this page] Kumbh Mela is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage that occurs four times in every twelve years and rotates among four locations of India in Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik. This time Haridwar, a beautiful and sacred city of India invites all the people across the world to take a dip in the holy waters of the Ganga. This Kumbh mela is considered to be the most important and spiritual gathering where thousands of sadhus and pilgrims come from all over the world to take a dip.
History of Kumbh mela dates back to the time when "Amrita Kalasha" was recovered from "Samudramanthan". In this entire churning process, "Dhanwantari", the divine healer, appeared with the "Kumbh" containing nectar in his palms appeared. After this a tense war between Devtas and Asuras ensued for twelve days and twelve nights. They fought like anything for the possession of this pot of amrita. During this fight as said in sacred books the drops of amrita fell on to four places Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik. From those days this holy event of the Amrita Kalasha Kumbh is celebrated at these four places.
Kumbh Mela was hosted at Allahbad in Jan 2007 last time during the months of January-February. During this 45 days carnival, it is estimated that more than 65 million Hindu pilgrims took part and make it the largest gathering in the history of Kumbh. The most important features of every Kumbh mela are furious and exotic Naga Sadhus covered in ash, matted hairs and are known as preserver of faith. The next Kumbh Mela is going to take place at Haridwar in 2010 from 14th of January to 30th of April.
Haridwar is one of the four holy sites for Kumbh Mela and among the seven sacred cities of India. It is a city with enormous religious significance and a key pilgrimage town for the Hindus. As always, millions of sadhus are expected to come for taking dips in the Ganges on this time. So, this time let your heart soak in all the spirituality to the holy land of Haridwar in Kumbh Mela of 2010.
