(अर्ध कुंभ मेला – हरिद्वार)
The origin of the Kumbh is very old and dates back to the time when Kalasha (pot of nectar of immortality) was recovered from Samudramanthan (during the churning of the primordial sea), for which a tense war between Devtas (Gods) and Asuras (Demons) ensued. To prevent the Amrita Kalasha being forcibly taken into possession by Asuras, who were more powerful than Devtas, its safety was entrusted to the Devtas Brahaspati, Surya, Chandra and Shani. The four Devtas ran away with the Amrita Kalasha to hide it from the Asuras. Learning the conspiracy of Devtas, Asuras turned ferocious and chased the 4 Devtas running with Amrita Kalasha. The chase, lasted 12 days and nights during which the Devtas and Asuras went round the earth and during this chase, Devtas put Amrita Kalasha at Haridwar, Prayag, Ujjain and Nasik.
To commemorate this holy event of the Amrita Kalasha 12 years.According to other Pauranic legends actual fight in the Amrita Kalash being knocked out of which Amrita being put at 4 places, Kumbh is celebrated every took place between Devtas and Asuras resulting (Nectar) fell down at the above 4 places
The festival is religiously most important for the Hindus. At every Kumbh occassion, millions of Hindus take part in the celebrations. During 2003 Kumbh at Haridwar, more than 10 millions devoteed gathered at the site. Saints, priests, and yogis from all corners of India, gathered to participate in Kumbh. Haridwar is considered very holy, due to the fact that Ganga enter plains from mountains here itself.
The festival is visited by the most amazing saints from all across India.The Naga Sadhus are one such, who never wear any cloth and are smeared in ash. They have long matted hairs and are not at all affected by the extremes of heat and cold. Then there are the Urdhwavahurs, who believe in putting the body through severe austerities. There are the Parivajakas, who have taken a vow of silence and go about tinkling little bells to get people out of their way. The Shirshasins stand all 24 hours and meditate for hours standing on their heads. Spending the entire month of Kumbh on the banks of Ganga, meditating, performing rituals and bathing thrice a day, are the Kalpvasis.
It is believed that bathing during Kumbh cures the bather of all sins and evils and grants the bather, salvation. It is also believed that at the time of Kumbh Yog, the water of Ganga is charged with positive healing effects and that water at the time of Kumbh is charged positively by enhanced electromagnetic radiations of the Sun, Moon and the Jupiter, the flux of which also varies in accordance to positions and the phases of the moon, and also by the + and – signs of the sun spots.
Haridwar Ardh Kumbh Mela 2016 – Main Bathing (Snan) Dates:
| Date (2016) | Day | Event |
| 14th January | Thursday | Makar Sankranti |
| 12th February | Friday | Vasant Panchami |
| 22nd February | Monday | Magh Purnima |
| 7th March | Monday | Mahashivratri |
| 7th April | Thursday | Chaitra Amavasya |
| 8th April | Friday | Chaitra Shukla Pratipada |
| 14th April | Thursday | Mesha Sankranti |
| 15th April | Friday | Ram Navami |
| 22nd April | Friday | Chaitra shukla Purnima |
BATHING GHATS IN HARIDWAR
- Har Ki Pauri
- Asthi Pravath Ghat
- Subhash Ghat
- Gau Ghat
- Sapth Sarover Kshetra Ghat
- Sarvanand Ghat
- Pantdweep Ghat
- Kangra Ghat
- Roode Bale Wala Ghat
- Ganesh Ghat
- Varagi Camp Ghat
- Sati Ghat
- Daksheshwar Ghat
- Singh Dwar Ghat
- Sita Ghat
For more details contact
Mela Officer
Ardh Kumbh Mela 2016 – Haridwar
Mela Niyantran Bhawan
Har ki Pauri Haridwar
Phone no : 01334-224456
Fax : 01334-224457
Email:melaofficer-har-uk@nic.in
