A. Kumbh Mela is a mass Hindu pilgrimage and the world’s largest congregation of humans. Lakhs of Hindu devotees gather in one of the four cities - Haridwar, Allahabad, Nashik & Ujjain during the festival, to take the holy dip. Bathing in the holy rivers on particular dates during the Kumbh Mela holds special significance and cleanses a person of all the sins.
A. Kumbh Mela is celebrated across locations in India based upon the relative positions of the planet Jupiter and the sun. Based upon these calculations, the year and dates of the Kumbh Mela at a particular place are determined several years in advance. In this way, the turn of Kumbh Mela being held in a particular city comes every 12 years.
A. Kumbh Mela is historically celebrated at 4 locations across the country, each at the banks of a holy river. The spiritual mass gathering takes place periodically in one of the cities - on the banks of river Ganges in Haridwar, at the Sangam of Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati in Allahabad, on the banks of Godavari in Nashik and Shipra in Ujjain.
A. The dates of Kumbh Mela coincide with a special relative positioning of planets of the solar system, which, according to the Hindu belief, is best suited for spiritual offerings. A bath in the holy river during these special days is believed to wash an individual of all sins and helps in the liberation of the soul.
A. There are 4 Kumbh Melas that are celebrated at the 4 locations, and 2 ardh Kumbh Mela that are held every 6 years. Apart from these, many locally-celebrated manifestations of the Kumbh can be seen at several places in India.
A. The last Kumbh Mela was held at the Prayagraj, in 2019.
A. Ardh Kumbh Mela is a similar festival celebrated between two Kumbh Melas. It is held only at two locations - in Prayag (Allahabad) and Haridwar.
A. The Kumbh Mela that falls after every 12 Kumbh Melas is celebrating as the Maha Kumbh. Therefore, the Maha Kumbh Mela is celebrated once in every 144 years.
A. If you want to Reach the kumbh mela haridwar, please follow: How to Reach Haridwar Kumbh Mela
A. Several types of accommodation are available at the Kumbh Mela site for the pilgrims. This includes Premium Cottages, Swiss Tents, Deluxe Tents, and Dormitories. Facilities like beddings, furniture, 24X7 running water, attached washrooms, pick and drop etc. are provided with these accommodations. Complimentary meals are also made available. To know more about accommodation at Allahabad Kumbh Mela, click here. To instantly book your accommodation, click here.
A. Please follow this link for Haridwar Kumbh Mela Bathing Dates
A. Akharas refer to the groups and lineages of the spiritual leaders and gurus who belong to a particular sect within the religious customs. Such Akharas are represented as one and take the holy dip together at the Kumbh Mela.
A. The nearest railway station is the Haridwar Junction Railway Station, which is at a distance of about 5km from the site of the Kumbh. Several means of transport including rickshaws and shared taxis are available from here. Dehradun (Jolly Grant) is the nearest airport, from where several dedicated flights are operated during the duration of the Kumbh Mela, Its approx 50 Kms from the site of Kumbh.
A. The Kumbh Mela in Haridwar will be celebrated during January - April when the weather ranges from the peak of the winters to the onset of the summers. So, if you are visiting during the months of January and February, it is advised to carry woolens along. Temperatures will be ranging from 10-degree Celsius to 32-degree Celsius.
A. Kumbh Mela comes to each of the above-mentioned locations after every 12 years. This means that in the Kumbh is being celebrated in Haridwar in 2021; it will next be celebrated here in 2033.
A. One of the key rituals to be performed at the Kumbh Mela is taking the holy dips on the designated days, which is also the core purpose of the pilgrimage. The devotees can attend the lectures and spiritual sessions by the various revered saints and religious leaders who stay at the venue during the Kumbh Mela. Exploring the city of Haridwar is also worthwhile.
