This is a fair of pilgrimage that takes place 4 times among 4 different locations every 12 years. The location and dates are astrologically computed based on the special conditions of zodiac positions of Sun, Moon, and Jupiter. The four rotating locations are listed below.

• Prayag, at the junction of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers in Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh
• Haridwar along the Ganga river in Uttar Pradesh
• Ujjain along the Kshipra river in Madhya Pradesh
• Nashik along the Godavari river in Maharashtra

It is rightly called the largest pilgrimage gathering, as it religious significance attracts millions of people all over the world.

Legend

Motive of the Tug of War in Samudra Manthan

According to the legend, Rishi Durvasa had cursed the heavenly gods (devtas), which resulted in losing their powers subsequently deteriorating their mind and body. In order to stop this and reinstate their power, the devtas decided to churn the primeval cosmic milk ocean to extort the nectar of immortality, known as the ‘amrit’ or ‘water of life’. This ocean is in the celestial region of the cosmos and that its churning was called ‘Samudra Manthan’ in Indian mythology. They convinced the demons (daityas or asuras) to conduct ‘Samudra Manthan’ (churning of the ocean) in the grave desire to have the nectar. The fact that persuaded the demons was that the nectar would make one immortal and the most powerful being. So, both the demons and gods concur to share the nectar after it is extracted from the ocean’s depth.

The Giant Tug Of War

The churning of the milk ocean started with the Mandar Mountain acting as the churning rod and Vasuki, the gigantic king of serpents, as coiled rope for churning. After a dispute of who would be on which side, the churning commenced with the gods holding the serpent’s tail and the demons catching the head and lasted until 1000 years. As the churning began, the mountain began to descend deep in the waters during which Vishnu took the form of a great tortoise to support the mountain on its back.

As the churning proceeded, the ocean started giving its riches. At first, a deadly poison was extracted that was swallowed by Lord Shiva to protect the universe and remain unaffected. Then, this was followed by the following gifts:

• Divine horse
• Celestial cow
• Precious gem
• Magic moon
• Musical device
• Attractive dancing girls called apsaras
• Goddess Lakshmi – the god of fortune
• Vishvakarma – the celestial architect
• Divine man of medicine, Dhanvantri, holding the desired pot of nectar

As Dhanvantari came out, both the parties became more eager and greedy to hold the pot. However, as the demons were more powerful, they forcibly took away the pot. This resulted in a battle between the demons and the Gods for 12 days and nights, which was actually 12 years according to the calendar that we follow.

At last, Lord Vishnu, emerged as an enchantress in disguise over which the demons forgot about the nectar as they were stuck in the beauty. Meanwhile, Lord Vishnu seized the pot of nectar and gave it to Jayant, Lord Indra’s (god of rains) son. He took the form of a bird and flew away with the pot. On the way, a few nectar drops fell on four places on Earth: Allahabad, Haridwar, Trimbakeshwar, and Ujjain.

Five Types of Kumbh Melas

• Maha Kumbh Mela
  Takes place every 144 (12 * 12) years in Allahabad only.
• Purna (Complete) or Maha Kumbh Mela
  Takes place after every 12 years
• Ardh Kumbh
  Takes place in the 6th year after Kumbh Mela

• Kumbh Mela
  Takes place every three years each time at a different place out of the four sites of pilgrimage.
• Magh Mela
  Takes place annually only in Allahabad at the time of Jan-Feb, which is the Magh Hindu month, except for the year in which Kumbh Mela and Ardh Kumbh Mela are held.

Kumbh Mela Festival and Rituals

The Kumbh Mela is held every three years turn by turn at Prayag, Nasik, Haridwar and Ujjain. It is the event that gathers not only the Hindu people, but other people too irrespective of the caste and religion, scholars, hymn-reciting masters, yogis, robed saints, and sadhus with ash-covered bodies; all of them who temporarily leave their sacred residences of Himalayas. Other special people such as astrologers, foreigners, and Indian refugees also add the population. Having a religious aim, people share knowledge about religious rituals and spiritual practices. The holy dip in the sacred waters of the rivers holds utmost importance at this fair.

The Holy Dip

The main bathing days are referred as ‘Shahi Snans’, meaning royal bathing. A sacred dip in the Kumbh is believed to purify one from the sins, thus, leading him on the path of salvation. This is because according to the legend, at the time of the fair, the river waters are charged with amazing medicinal effects due to superior electromagnetic radiation of the Sun, Moon, and the Jupiter, this fluctuation is dependent on the positions and the phases of the moon. Thus, this dip is revered as the most sacred of all the traditions and that a Hindu must do so at least once in lifetime. Briefly, this fair is a fusion of religious, spiritual, and socio-cultural significance that provides freedom from evils to the mankind.

Significance of the Four Places

• Haridwar Kumbh Fair
  Haridwar, on the foothills of Shivaliks, is the sacred place where the river Ganga meets the plains after descending from the Himalayas. Famous as Mayapuri, Gangadwar, Tapovan, and Mokshadwar in the Indian mythology, the city has immense significance for the pilgrims. It is also among the 64 Shakti Peeths, where one of the churned body parts of devi Sati (Parvati), the divine consort of Lord Shiva fell. Besides the Kumbh Mela, the Ardh Mela is held here every six years. The sacred ghats of bathing here are Har ki Pauri, Subhash Ghat next to Har ki Pauri, Asthi Parvat Ghat, and Gau (cow) Ghat.
• Prayag or Allahabad Kumbh Fair
  This place holds the triveni sangam (confluence of three rivers) of three among the most holy rivers namely, the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. It is here that pilgrim take bath on the bathing days of Makar Sankranti, Paush Purnima, Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchmi, Maghi Poornima, and Maha Shivratri. The Kumbh Mela held here is believed to be the largest, holiest, and auspicious of all melas. The Purna Kumbh, Ardha Kumbh, and the Magh Melas are held here.
• Nasik Kumbh Fair
  This city is near the holy Godavari River (38 kms) known as the Ganges of South and famous site of bathing. The site of the fair is Trimbakeshwar that is the holy town nearby to hold one of the 12 Jyotirlingas (lingas of light). The Sinhasta Kumbh Mela is conducted once in 12 years here.
• Ujjain Kumbh Fair
  Located at the banks of river Shipra, the name of city literally means the town of victory. The Sinhasta Kumbh Mela takes place here after every 12 years.

On this 10th day, effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhkarna and son Meghnad are shoot by fire arrows in open grounds thrown by the actors imitating Ram, Sita, and Lakshman. Further, the celebrations include conducting Ram Lila wherein different historic events of the lives of Ram, Sita, and Lakshman are dramatized in different parts of the country.

Regional Significance

The festival celebrations vary in different regions. In Tamil Nadu, Dusshera is of nine days (including days of Navratri) that are equally divided for worshipping. The first three days are for the Goddess Lakshmi (goddess of wealth and prosperity), the next three for Goddess Saraswati (goddess of learning and arts), and the last three days for Goddess Durga (mother goddess and goddess of Shakti). In Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, people prepare for an exhibition of toys known as Bombe habba in Karnataka and Golu/Kolu in Tamil Nadu. Herein, Hindus pay respect and worship morities representing statues of different gods and goddesses.

In Punjab, people fast for nine days, whereas in Gujarat, it is Garba dance and music reigns the evenings and nights of Gujarat during the ten days of the festival. In Himachal Pradesh, grand processions of the village deities are carried out. In Mysore, the famous gala procession of richly decorated elephants ridden by Goddess Chamundeshwari (form of Goddess Durga) is carried out. While in West Bengal, the festival is of 4 days (the seventh, eight, ninth, and tenth days) during which Durga puja is done. On the last day, the idols of Durga is immersed in the holy Ganges.

Historic Significance/Legend

There are many interesting legends associated with Dusshera.

• Victory of Ram over Ravana
  Lord Rama, being the eldest son of King Dasarath of Ayodhya, was about to be made the next king. However, Queen Kaikayee convinced King Dasarath to make Bharat the next king and to exile Rama for 14 years. On this twist, Rama, his wife Sita, and his brother Laxman left Ayodhaya. The demoness sister Soorpanakha of Ravana was attracted towards Lord Rama and in order to marry Rama, she warned to kill Sita. Enraged, Lakshman slew her nose, which in turn, enraged Ravana who decided to take revenge. Due to this, Ravana abducted Sita. To rescue Sita, Lord Rama, Lakshman, and Hanuman (the great devotee of Rama) fought a war against Ravana in which Lord Rama killed Ravana.
• Victory of Goddess Durga over the Demon Mahishasur
  According to the boon given by the fire God to Mahishasur, any medium having a masculine name cannot harm him. This boon made the demon very arrogant and he began to think that he is the most powerful being in the universe. Due to this, he started harassing people and caused enormous destruction. The heavenly gods were very much tensed on this and they therefore, requested Lord Vishnu to do something. Lord Vishnu asked them to raise Goddess Shakti (Durga). Then, a divine gleam emerged from the heart of Lord Shiva and the bodies of all gods leading to the formation of the Adhya Shakti. This Shakti was gifted with ornaments and a lion as her own vehicle. Goddess Durga, then adhering to her purpose, fought with the demon for continuous nine days and nights, after which she killed the demon. The festival commemorates this victory.
• Story behind Golu/Kolu
  Goddess Durga was in need of terrific power to fight with Mahishasur. To fulfill this, all the other gods and goddesses transmitted their power to Goddess Durga by converting themselves as still as statues. To revere their self-sacrifice, Kolus are made in the homes of the people in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
• Story Behind Banni Leaves
  Kautsa, the son of Devdatt (Brahmin by caste) was studying under his guru Rishi Varatantu. After the study, he insisted to accept a gift also called gurudakshina. However, the guru refused at first; but then asked for 140 million gold coins for teaching 14 subjects. At those times, King Raghu of Ayodhaya was known for his generosity and so the obedient student approached him. Consequently, the king requested the God of Wealth, Kuber to shower gold coins near the Shanu and Apati trees. Kautsa gave the desired amount to his guru and distributed the rest among the needy on the 10th day of Navratri. Therefore, to wish prosperity, people greet each other with the Apati and Banni leaves.

Rituals

• Durga Puja
  People worship the Mother Durga to commemorate her amazing victory over Mahishasur.

• Durga Visarjan
  The idols of Durga are immersed in Ganges, or nearby lakes or rivers in the eastern region of the country to bid farewell after nine days of worship.
• Vidyarambam
  This takes place in south India that marks the beginning of study. People worship Goddess Saraswati (known for wisdom) and do puja of books and learning materials. Any new learning starts on this auspicious day.
• Sindur Khela
  This is a ritual of West Bengal wherein married women play together with vermilion (sindur).
• Weapon Worship
  Herein, people worship weapons, pens, and other instruments and consider them a symbol of fighting against injustice.
• Wagtail Search
  Herein, one needs to find a wagtail among elephants, cows, horses, snakes, and flowers for good-luck. However, if it is found in ashes or bones, it is considered as a sign of evil and to overcome that, a medicinal bath is inevitable.
• Worship of instruments of Profession
  In northern parts of the country, people polish their professional instruments. For example, drivers clean their vehicles and put swastika on them. It is considered auspicious and is also famous among armed forces.
• Banni Leaves Collection
  In Uttar Pradesh, people gather leaves of the Banni or Apta trees and consider them as gold. This symbol of gold – leaves – are used to greet their friends and relatives. Further, people ornament the entrance of their homes with torans (floral or crystal stuffed strings).