How to Celebrate Hindu Kumbh Mela

Kumbh Mela is the largest religious gathering in the world. A Hindu tradition, it is held four times every twelve years and rotates among the four locations: Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasi. Each location is situated on the banks of sacred waters. Kumbh Mela is known for its gathering of Hindu sadhus, renunciates and ascetics.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Calendar of Kumbh Mela locations (See Additional Resources)
• Schedule of bathing dates (not available for future festivals)

1. 

   Attend Kumbh Mela according to scheduled dates and locations. In March and April, 2010, Kumbh Mela is at Haridwar,where the Ganga flows out of the Himalayas. Prayag, Allahabad will host Kumbh Mela in 2013 at the confluence the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati sacred rivers. In 2015, Nasik,, along the Godavari river, is the festival site and in 2016, Ujjain, welcomes Kumbh Mela pilgrims.

2. 

   Bathe on dates scheduled according to lunar cycles. (Bathing dates for Haridwar Kumbh Mela 2010 are not yet released. Schedules will be posted at the Kumbh Mela website). Bathing in the sacred waters, along which Kumbh Mela festivals are situated, purifies karma and brings good fortune.

3. 

   Pray with millions of pilgrims to contribute spiritual efforts to the consciousness of all pilgrims.

4. 

   Shop the marketplaces. Kumbh Mela has an atmosphere of a festival with shops and attractions for pilgrims. Along with fruits, vegetables for offerings and for eating, blankets and other necessities, you can find tiger claws (not recommended) and can pay to watch snake charmers.

5. 

   Rise daily in the early morning to bathe (Prayag Snan) in the holy waters. Bathing daily and on specified bathing dates is the purpose of Kumbh Mela. It is said that bathing in the Ganga is like bathing in nectar.

6. 

   Return to camp for meditation and prayers. Throughout the day, perform Puja (worship of a deity), Kumbha Darshan, or practice your personal sadhana. Each evening, at sundown, gather for divine aarti (closing devotional ceremony) on the banks of the holy waters..

Tips & Warnings

• The next Kumbh Mela is at Nasik in 2010.

• Exact dates for future festivals are posted in Additional Resources.

• Prepare to attend Kumbh Mela with millions of other people.

Resources

• Kumbha Mela Dates
• Kumbha Mela Questions
• Kumbha Mela Archaeology Online
• Maha Kumbha Mela
• Nasik Kumbha Mela Itinerary