Haridwar Ardh Kumbh Mela 2016

According to Hindu mythology, 'Ardh Kumbh Mela' takes place when the planet Jupiter enters Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries. Kumbha (meaning pot) Mela (meaning fair) is considered a very sacred Hindu pilgrimage. It takes place at the following four sacred places across India:

·        Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh)

·        Haridwar (Uttarakhand)

·        Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh)

·        Nasik (Maharashtra)

The next Ardh kumbh Mela will take place in the holy city of Haridwar from January 2016 to April 2016.

What is Kumbh Mela

Kumbh Mela is festival of Hindu Religion. It is the largest gathering of Hindu people (also the largest religious gathering in the world). Kumbh Mela attracts hindu pilgrims from all over the worlds. The main ritual is to take holy bath. Hindu people believe that if they take bath on specific date during Kumbh Mela, it will remove thier sins and they will get "moksha". Moksha is end of the cycle of rebirth. It represents the Hindu religion in all expects more better than any other festival. Kumbh Mela Festival is one of the oldest hindu festivals. This is unique festival interms of variety and vastness which you can rarely find anywhere apart from India. Millions of pilgrims come together on this festival to wash thier sins in the holy waters. It is beleived that if you take bath during the Kumbh Mela it will awaken the inner consciousness and will enlight you.

Rituals or traditions at Kumbh Mela

The main ritual is to take bath in the river on particular day at the perticular area (where it is believed that the drop of nector fell down). Apart from this main ritual you can see many other rituals and traditions because the Hindu religions is such a unique religion with multiple faiths.

Kumbh Mela at Haridwar

As mentioned earier that Kumbh Mela Festival is celebrated after 12 years in 04 cities. So Haridwar also host the Kumbh Mela after 12 years. Apart from main Kumbh Mela at Haridwar and Allahabad Ardh Kumbh Mela Festival is also celebrated after six years one by one. So in Haridwar we have either Kumbh Mela or Ardh Kumbh Mela Festival after every six year. Kumbh Mela at Haridwar is and Allahabad is more special becuase both city has Holy River Ganga. River Ganga is most holy river in India. Every day hundreds of people take holy bath in River Ganga to wash thier sins even if there is no special ocassion. So when there is a combination of auspicious time of Kumbh Mela and the Holy River Ganga, taking holy bath will be certainly a lifetime moment. That is why when Kumbh Mela is in Haridwar and Allahabad (both city has river gang) it is more visited by people than Ujjain and Nasik Kumbh Mela.

Kumbh Mela 2016 Haridwar Dates

·        14 January 2016 (Thursday):Makar Sankranti

·       
12 February 2016 (Friday): Vasant Panchami

·        22 February 2016 (Monday): Magh Purnima

·        07 March 2016 (Monday): Mahashivratri

·        07 April 2016 (Thursday): Chaitra Amavasya

·        08 April 2016 (Friday): Chaitra Shukla Pratipada

·        14 April 2016 (Thursday): Mesha Sankranti

·        15April 2016 (Friday): Ram Navami

·        22April 2016 (Friday): Chaitra shukla Purnima.