Culture & Heritage
Simhastha Kumbhamela
Millions of people, who gather without any invitation, notice or summon from all over the globe to participate in the stream of knowledge and spirituality on the banks of sacred rivers is Kumbhamela. Kumbha is a sanskrit word for pitcher, sometimes referred to as the kalasha. Kumbh as also a zodiac sign for Aquarius in Indian astrology . Mela means a gathering or a meet or simply a fair. The Kumbh celebration rotates at four places in India on certain celestial alignment of traversing planets. Millions of devotees baths into the sacred rivers with belief that it cleanse their souls leading to salvation. In Naardiya purana, Shiva Purana, Brahma Purana it is mentioned regarding events of Kumbh that Kumbh festival starts from Haridwar. After Haridwar it is celebrated at Prayag, Nashik-Trimbakeshwar and Ujjain. It is celebrated at these places after every 12 years .While Ardha Kumbha (which is celebrated after every six years) is held at Haridwar and Allahabad.
The last Simhastha Kumbhamela was held at Nashik and Trimbakeshwar in the year 2015-16 . The Kumbh Festival,a human congregation of spirituality is held at Nashik-Trimbakeshwar, Prayag (Allahabad), Haridwar and Ujjain . Ardh Kumbh is held at Prayag and Haridwar after every six years.The Kumbh Fair is held at the banks of sacred rivers every 12 years. At Nashik – Trimabkeshwar it is held at the banks of river Godavari. At Prayag it is held at sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganga-Yamuna and the invisible Saraswati, at the banks of Ganga at Haridawar and at the banks of Kshipra at Ujjain. It is marked by the fact that millions of people participate in this great fair without any summons, call, notice or invitation.
The Nashik – Trimbakeshwar Kumbh
This Kumbh is unique as Vaishnav Akhadas and Shaiva Akhadas which bath together at Prayag, Haridwar and Ujjain, baths separately here. As a result of arrangements made by the Peshwas due to clashes between ascetics of both sects , Vaishnva Akhadas baths at Nashik and Shaiva or Sanyasis, Udasin Akhadas baths at Trimbakeshwar. Nashik is believed to be the part of Dandakaranya, where Lord Rama lived during his exile. Trimbakeshwar is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. The sacred river Godavari originates here on Bramhagiri hills. Trimbakeshwar is having Samadhi of shri sant Nivruttinath who is supposed to be founder of Nath Sampradaya.
Kumbhmela- Meaning
Kumbh is a Sanskrit word for pitcher, also referred to as the Kalasha. Kumbh is also a zodiac sign in Indian Astrology for Aquarius. Mela means a gathering or meet or simply a fair. The literal meaning of Kumbh /Ghata is a pitcher, but its elemental meaning is something else. Even as a symbol of pitcher, Kumbh is synonymous with holy activities as in daily life a pitcher (or kalash) is an integral part of all sacred activities in Hindu culture, and this pitcher is a symbol of Kumbh.
Kalashasya Mukhevishnu Kanthe Samashritah |
Muletvasya Sthito Bramha Madhye Matruganah Smrutah
Kukshou Tu Sagarah Sarve Sapta Deepa Vasundhara
Rugvedo Yajurvedo Samvedohravana ||
Angaichshra Saritah Sarve kalashan Tu Samashritah |
It is believed and mentioned in Holy Scriptures that mouth (opening) of pitcher symbolizes the presence of Vishnu, its neck that of Rudra, the base of Brahama, all goddesses in the centre and the entire oceans in the interior, thus encompassing all the four Vedas. The Sanskrit word for Kumbh also means human body . It refers to a womb, bounty,earth, plentitude. It is a receptacle that holds life, spirits, water , Amrita,the elixir. The pitcher ,sea,river, ponds and the well are symbols of Kumbh as the water from these places is covered from all sides. The sky has the cover of the wind, the sun covers the entire universe with its light, and the human body is covered with cells and tissues. The five tatvas / elements – water, earth,fire,sky and wind symbolize the human body. Millions of devotees participate in bathing festival of Kumbh in search of eternal truth which is hidden inside the pitcher. They are bathing to discover one’s own true self, to have a glimpse of knowledge and spirituality which is symbolised by the Kumbh or pitcher.
Elemental Meaning of Kumbh
Kumbh is the confluence of all our cultures,knowledge and spirituality. It is the jamboree of renouncers ( Sanyasis, Vairagis, Udasinas), ascetics (sadhus), saints and holy men to spread the love , unity, knowledge, brotherhood, spirituality. All these values are poured from kumbh, a pot filled with nectar of life, and this kumbh never dries or goes empty. Kumbh make us realize the importance of nature, mother earth through the lyrical flow of holy rivers. It is symbol of confluence of nature and humanity. It rejuvenates the faith and gives eternal energy to our mind and body as Kumbh which never dries. Earlier the shape of kumbh festival was small. Number of Devotees and Sadhus participating in Kumbhmela are increasing by many folds than the previous Kumbh at each place. Development of infrastructural facilities like transport , modes of communication , etc has facilitated Sadhus and Devotees across the corner of world to participate in Kumbh. It is just not a congregation of peoples or fair, instead it is festival of knowledge, spirituality, asceticism and devotion. Facilities like Sadhugram- dwelling camp, parking, health and sanitation, electric supply and water supply are provided on temporarily for millions of Devotees and Sadhus. Devotees come a long way to participate in Kumbh with utmost faith and with intend of earning holy acts. They are eager to have glimpse of Shahi procession of Akhadas. Many people come to Kumbh for rendering service to the Sadhus and Devotees , run annachatras, make donations as well as volunteered for services like health, sanitation, divers/life guards etc. The Government and Administration has to also work minutely on each and every aspect of kumbh for the convenience of Sadhus and Devotees.
Astrological aspect
The Astrological aspect of Kumbh is related with traversing planets and stars and their certain alignment . As per the Vedas the Sun is considered as a soul like or life giving. The moon is considered as a lord of Mind. The planet Jupiter or Brihaspati is consider as Guru of Gods. As it takes almost 12 years for Jupiter to transverse to complete zodiac , so the Kumbh is celebrated in accordance at one place after about every twelve years.
Padmini Nayeke Meshe Kumbh Rashi Gate Guroh |
Ganga Dvare bhaved Yogah Kumbh Nama Tathottamah ||
When Jupiter enters in Aquarius or Kumbh ( zodiac sign) and Sun and Moon in Aries and Sagittarius respectively, Kumbh is held at Haridwar.
Mkre Ch Diva Nathe Hmjuge Ch Bruhaspatou Kumbh Yogobhavettatra Prayage Hyati Dularabah
Mesh Rashi Gate Jeeve Makare Chandra Bhaskarou |
Amavasya Tada Yogah Kumbhakhyastirtha Nayake ||
When the Jupiter is in Taurus or Vrishabha (zodiac sign) and the Sun and Moon are in Capricorn or Makra, the kumbha is held at Prayag.
Simha Rashi Surya Simha Rashau Brihaspatau |
Godavarya Bhavet Kumbho Jayate Khalu Muktidah ||
When the Jupiter enters in Leo or Simha (zodiac sign) and the Sun and Moon in Cancer, the Kumbha is held at Nashik and Trimbakeshwar.
Mesh Rashi Gate Surye Sinha Rashau Brihaspatau |
Ujjiyanya Bhavet Kumbhah Sadamukti Pradayakah ||
When Jupiter is in Leo and the Sun and Moon in Aries, the Kumbha is held at Ujjain. Since Jupiter is in zodiac Simha the Kumbh is held at Trimbakeshwar and Nashik and Ujjain , it is known as Simhastha Kumbh.
Mythological aspect
Mythological significance of Kumbh revolves around the story of the samudra manthan or ocean churning which was done by the gods and demons to obtain the invaluable ratnas or the jewels and amrita or the nectar. The mountain Mandrachala become churning stick and the Nagraja Vasuki acted as the rope. The Lord Vishnu himself took form of Kasava or tortoise and provided base for the mountain Mandrachala with fear that it may get slipped and submerged in the ocean. The first to emerge in this churning was a venomous poison which was consumed by the Lord Shiva who upon drinking this poison came to be called as the Nilkantha. The churning continues and emerged Kamdhenu, the Uccaishrava Jayanta, the son of Lord Indra , catching sight of the amrita kalasa or the pot filled with nectar, snatched it from the the hands of God Dhanvantari. Noticing this, Lord Shukracharya , the Guru of demons alerted and demons chased Jayanta. According to the divine counting one day of Gods is equal to the one year of mortal beings and the Jayanta kept on running for 12 days to avoid amrit kalasha to fall in the hands of demons. The four places where Jayanta had put down the amrit kalasha in these twelve years were Haridwar, Prayag, Nashik-Trimbakeshwar and Ujjain, and at these four places at that time the sun, moon ,and planets had reached the unique astrological alignment, during which are kumbhmela is held at these places. The nectar pot was saved from the demons by God Brihaspati with the help of Sun , his son Lord Shani and Moon who saved the nectar kumbh from getting damaged. As mentioned in the Skanda purana, kumbhmela is not just celebrated where the amrit kalasa was put down , but where the nectar had spilled alongwith putting down of the kalasa.
Godavari Darshan
The great sage Gautam made Trimbakeshwar as his residence. The Brahmans requested the sage to bring Ganga on earth that they might bathe in her purifying waters, but he refused. One day Parvati sent a cow to graze in the field where sage Gautam used to cultivate rice for his daily use. Gautam drove off the cow and gave it a blow with a stick from which it died. Anxious to cleanse from the sin of cow killing the sage began to perform to propitiate Lord Mahadeva. The god, pleased with his penance, released Ganga from his matted hair and striking her against a stone gave her leave to go down on earth and Godavari originates on Bramhagiri hills at Trimbakeshwar.It is considered as sacred river of South hence also called as Dakshin Ganga.
Krute Lakshvdyaatite Maandhatari Shake satee |
Kurme Chaivavtaare Ch Sinhasthe Ch Bruhaspatau ||
Maghe Mamase Site Pakshe Dashmyan Saumyavasare |
Maadhyanhe Tu Samayataa Gautami Punyapavani ||– ( Skandapuraan )
It is mentioned in Skandapurana that the time of descent of the river Godavari was in the tortoise incarnation of Vishnu, during the era of King Mandhanta after two hundred thousand years of the Krita or first cycle had passed . The planet Jupiter was in zodiac sign simha at that time.
Ga Dnyan Dadaati Sa Goda | Gau Gautamdhanoh Jivdaanan Sa Goda ||
It is means river Godavari imparts knowledge it reliving wished sage Gautama from sin of cow.
Tirthani Nadyashch Tatha Samudra | Kshetranyaranyani Tayaashraashch ||
Vasanni Sarvaanich Varshmerun | Godavari SinhaGate Surejye ||– ( Skandapuraan )
As long as the planet Jupiter remains in the zodiac Simha i.e. for one year, until then all rivers, oceans, tirthas, Rushis, Maharshis etc. abodes on the bank of river Godavari
Rituals of Kumbh
Kumbh Mela, is the largest human gathering which is attended by millions of people on a earth irrespective of all worldly barriers of caste, creed, region. The Kumbh Mela has wielded a mesmeric influence over the minds and the imagination of the ordinary Indian. Devotees believe simply by bathing in the sacred Godavari is freed from their past sins (karma), and thus one becomes eligible for liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Other activities include religious discussions, devotional singing, mass feeding of holy men and women and the poor, and religious assemblies where doctrines are debated and standardized. Kumbh Mela (especially the Prayag Kumbh Mela) is the most sacred of all the Hindu pilgrimages. Millions of holy men and women (saints , monks, and sadhus) attend this spectacle of faith.