Kumbh is the confluence of all our cultures. It is the symbol of spiritual awakening. The Maha Kumbh Festival at Tirthraj Prayag began on the full moon night (Purnima) of the month of Paush. After every three years, one of these cities – Ujjain, Nashik, Haridwar and Allahabad gets to hold the Kumbh, thus each one getting a chance to hold the Kumbh after 12 years. The Maha Kumbh Mela at Ujjain is held at the banks of river Shipra in the western region of Madhya Pradesh and is seen as one of the most sacred places in India.

The upcoming opportunity to attain the bliss of the divine is at Maha Kumbh Mela Ujjain 2016. The pious festival when the zodiac sign Scorpio (Vrishchik Rashi) indicates the presence of Jupiter and Sun and continues on various dates until the full moon in the following month of Vaishakha.

Holy Snan Dates during the Maha Kumbh Mela

Simhastha Kumbh Mahaparv Ujjain 2016 will begin on 22^nd of April and will continue till 21^st of May. The holy snan dates are as follows:

Itinerary Details

Kumbh derives its name from the immortal Pot of Nectar, which the Demigods (Devtas) and Demons (Asuras) fought over, described as in the ancient Vedic scriptures known as the Puranas. It is widely known how this spectacle of faith has attracted the curiosity of foreigners across the world. Legend tells a tale from the bygone days of the universe when the demigods and the demons conjointly produced the nectar of immortality. The demigods, because cursed, were crippled of fear that eventually made them weak. The task being too sturdy for them alone, the demigods made a mutual agreement with the demons to complete it in full and share the nectar of immortality in half. It is said that the demigods and the demons assembled on the shore of the milk ocean that lies in the celestial region of the cosmos.

There is also a prevalent legend that it was actually the demons that were being chased by the demigods for 12 days and 12 nights, during which the drops of elixir of immortality fell at these four places. These four places are since believed to have acquired mystical powers. Because 12 days of Gods are equivalent to 12 years for humans; the Kumbh Mela is celebrated once every 12 years in each of the four places – banks of river Godavari in Nasik, river Kshipra in Ujjain, river Ganges in Haridwar, and at the Sangam of Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati in Allahabad, where the drops are believed to have fallen. Millions of devout, come together to partake in ritualistic bathing and ceremonies to cleanse themselves of all sins.

Rituals of Maha Kumbh Mela

A number of ceremonies are performed, out of which taking a holy bath is the most important ceremony that takes place in the banks of the river. Various other activities include the discussions on religious issues, praising the lord singing hymns, and so on, and these are considered to be the root to attain salvation and liberation of the vicious cycle of rebirth. Specifically, in Ujjain, people worship Mahakaleshwar.

Ujjain, the town of historical importance

Ujjain is a small town in the heart of Madhya Pradesh state.  It is one of the holiest places, regarded as one of the Sapta Puri or the seven sacred cities. River Kshipra is the seat of the auspicious Mahakal. The idol of Mahakaleshwar possesses a unique feature, upheld by the tantric shivnetra tradition. Withal, there are many other temples such as Shri Kaal Bhairav Temple, Shri Chintaman Ganesh Temple, Harsiddhi Temple, Mangalnath Temple and so on.