Maha Kumbh Mela Mythology, History, Astrology: What is Kumbh Mela and why is it celebrated in four cities at a certain interval? What is Ardh Kumbh and Maha Kumbh? From where does this pilgrimage festival originates?
Maha Kumbh Mela Mythology, History, Astrology: It is cold in Prayagraj, foggy with a chance of rain. Yet, on Monday (January 13), tens of thousands are expected to arrive in the city, to camp on the banks of the Ganga. They will stay in tents and bathe in the river, the most devout taking a dip at dawn while stars are still twinkling.
Prayagraj is hosting the Maha Kumbh this time, or the Poorna Kumbh, held every 12 years. Many myths are prevalent around the Kumbh Mela, many theories about its exact origin. Some believe the festival finds mention in the Vedas and Puranas. Some say it is far more recent, going back barely two centuries. What is known for certain is that today, it is one of the largest gatherings of devotees witnessed anywhere on earth.
What is the Kumbh Mela, and why is it held in four cities periodically? What is Ardh Kumbh and Maha Kumbh? What is the origin of this festival, and why do millions attend it?
The answers, like so much in questions about Hinduism, lie in a mix of myth and history and the enduring faith of an ancient people trusting as much in the munificence of invisible deities as in tangible life-givers like rivers.
The mythological origins of the Kumbh Mela
The word kumbh in Sanskrit means pitcher, or pot. According to the story, when Devas (gods) and Asuras (loosely translated as demons) churned the ocean, Dhanvantri emerged carrying a pitcher of amrita, or the elixir of immortality. To make sure the Asuras don’t get it, Indra’s son, Jayant, ran off with the pot. The Sun, his son Shani, Brihaspati (the planet Jupiter), and the Moon went along to protect him and the pot.
As Jayant ran, amrita spilt at four places: Haridwar, Prayagraj, Ujjain and Nashik- Trimbakeshwar. He ran for 12 days, as one day of the Devas is equal to one year of humans, thus Kumbh Mela takes place at the above places every 12 years after relative positions of Sun, the Moon, and Jupiter.
All four are located on the banks of rivers. Haridwar has Ganga, Prayagraj is the sangam or meeting point of Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. Ujjain has Kshipra and Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Godavari.
How is the site of a Kumbh Mela decided?
This depends on astrological calculations. Another reason behind the 12-year gap between Kumbh Melas is explained by the fact that it takes 12 years for the planet Jupiter to complete one revolution around the Sun.
According to the Kumbh Mela website, Kumbh is held at Haridwar when Jupiter is in Aquarius or Kumbh rashi (whose symbol is the water bearer), and the Sun and the Moon are respectively in Aries and Sagittarius.
When the Jupiter is in Taurus, and the Sun and Moon are in Capricorn or Makar (thus, Makar Sankranti is also in this period) the Kumbh is held at Prayag.
When Jupiter is in Leo or Simha, and the Sun and Moon in Cancer, the Kumbh is held at Nashik and Trimbakeshwar, which is why they are also called the Simhastha Kumbh.