The myth behind the Kumbh Mela is that the gods and demons churned the ocean to produce amrita (nectar of immortality) which eventually led them to fight over the pot (kumbha) filled with it. During the struggle, four drops fell over earth near the rivers, and it is said that when the right moment comes, the rivers turn into the nectar, giving pilgrims the opportunity to bath themselves in the pure and auspicious amrita.
The upcoming Kumbh Mela will be held in Haridwar during the Hindu month of Chaitra when Jupiter will be in Aquarius and the Sun in Aries.
A Hindu devotee believes that during the Kumbh Mela, there really is a divine power which blesses them when they take part in the rituals. They say that dipping themselves in the river is a way for them to be purified and also leads to a longer life says they are bathing themselves in ‘amrita’.
The Kumbh Mela at Haridwar will witness millions of pilgrims and sadhus coming for the rituals, and therefore the dates of bathing have already been announced. Check them below-
- Makar Sankranti (Snan) -14 January 2021
- Mauni Amavasya (Snan) -11 February 2021
- Basant Panchami (Snan) -16 February 2021
- Magh Poornima -27 February 2021
- Maha Shivratri (Shahi Snan) -11 March 2021
- Somvati Amamvasya (Shahi Snan) -12 April 2021
- Baisakhi (Shahi Snan) -14 April 2021
- Ram Navami (Snan) -21 April 2021
- Chaitra Purnima (Shahi Snan) -27 April 2021