India Facts (2): Kumbh Mela (FPFS Challenge)

Source - Google Images

Are you fond of attending the gala event with millions of people? - if yes, then this one is for you. It's Big, Very Big. 

Held four times every 12 years at four different locations across central and northern India, the kumbh Mela is the largest religious gathering on the planet in which millions of Hindus gather to bathe in a sacred river. Held four times every 12 years at four different locations across central and northern India this vast celebration attracts  tens of millions of Hindu pilgrims, including mendicant nagas (naked sadhus, or holy people) from radical Hindu monastic orders.  

As per historical facts, Durvasa Rishi (who is known for his short temper) was wandering on earth, when he came across a female Vidyadhari (a nymph of the air) who was wearing a beautiful garland of flowers. Seeing Durvasa being attracted to the garland the nymph respectfully gave it to the sage. When he came back from earth, the sage came across Indra who was riding his elephant, Airavata. Durvasa presented the garland to Indra, who not sure of what to do with the garland placed it on Airavata’s head. The elephant was irritated by the fragrance of the nectar in the flowers and threw the garland to the ground with its trunk and crushed it with his feet. Durvasa was enraged to see his gift treated so callously and immediately cursed Indra that he would be cast down from his position of dominion over the three worlds, just as the garland was cast down. Because of the curse, Indra and the Devas were diminished in strength. 

To regain their lost powers and strengths, all Devtas approached Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva who directed them to Lord Vishnu. After they prayed & requested Lord Vishnu about the event, he instructed them to churn the ocean of milk Ksheera Sagara (primordial ocean of milk) to receive amrita (the nectar of immortality). This required them to make a temporary agreement with their arch enemies, the Asuras, to work together with a promise of sharing the wealth equally thereafter. However, when the Kumbha (pitcher) containing the amrita appeared, a fight took place. For 12 days and 12 nights (equivalent to twelve human years) the Devas and Asuras fought in the sky for the pitcher of amrita. It is believed that during the battle, Lord Vishnu (incarnated as Mohini-Mürti) got hold of the pitcher and spirited it away, but in flight four drops spilt on the earth – at Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain.

Celebrations at each of these cities last for around six weeks but are centred on just a handful of auspicious bathing dates, normally six.  The Allahabad event, known as the Maha (great) Kumbh Mela, is even lagrer with even bigger crowds.  Each location also holds an Ardh (Half) Mela every six years and a smaller, annual Magh Mela. The Kumbh Mela doesn’t belong to any particular cast or creed – devotees from all branches of Hinduism come together to experience the electrifying sensation of mass belief and to take a ceremonial dip in the sacred Ganges, Shipra or Godavari Rivers. Even foreigners can also be seen taking a dip in holy water during Kumbh.

Source : Google Images

Source : Google Images

Hope you like this fact about India.

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I have been tagged by one of my best blogger friend, Shweta Dave to take part in Five photos Five stories Challenge (FPFS) which is- Post a picture for 5 consecutive days and attach a post to it , fiction, poem or short write-up or anything to suit your taste. I thank Shweta for this challenge. I accept it.

I am tagging my dear blogger friend Debajyoti Ghosh on my Day Two and as a part of the challenge, I will tag a new person on Day Three.