MAHA KUMBH 2025

MAHA KUMBH, My basic research

Why is Kumbh Mela held every 12 years? What is the importance of Kumbh Mela? What is its science?*

Common perception is that Kumbh Mela is held once in 12 years at various locations including Prayagraj, and on varying days in Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. It is associated with the story of the Amrit Kalash and the position of the planets and constellations.

Astronomically speaking, the gap of 12 years is based on the completion of one zodiac cycle of Jupiter, which has religious and spiritual significance.

Kumbh Mela is going to start from 13 January 2025 in Prayagraj, which devotees eagerly await. It is one of the sacred and ancient traditions of Hinduism. There are mythological, religious and astronomical as also scientific reasons behind its organization. Let us know, why Kumbh Mela is held and what is the significance of 12 years.

Why is Kumbh Mela held?

According to Puranas, the Devas lost all their powers due to a curse by Rishi Durvasa, who felt extremely insulted by behaviour of Indra, the king of Devas. The story of Rishi Durvasa and his curse would be an post itself, so I would Why is Kumbh Mela held every 12 years? What is the importance of Kumbh Mela? What is its science?

My Research

Common perception is that Kumbh Mela is held once in 12 years at various locations including Prayagraj, and on varying days in Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. It is associated with the story of the Amrit Kalash and the position of the planets and constellations.

Astronomically speaking, the gap of 12 years is based on the completion of one zodiac cycle of Jupiter, which has religious and spiritual significance.

Kumbh Mela is going to start from 13 January 2025 in Prayagraj, which devotees eagerly await. It is one of the sacred and ancient traditions of Hinduism. There are mythological, religious and astronomical as also scientific reasons behind its organization. Let us know, why Kumbh Mela is held and what is the significance of 12 years.

Why is Kumbh Mela held?

According to Puranas, the Devas lost all their powers due to a curse by Rishi Durvasa, who felt extremely insulted by behaviour of Indra, the king of Devas. The story of Rishi Durvasa and his curse would be an post itself, so I would skip it for now.

Since Devas lost their power Asuras naturally started to become more powerful and bold. A fight thus ensued among Devas and Asuras. The Asuras seemed to be winning. The Devas approached Bhagwan Vishnu who recommended that both Devas and Asuras churn the cosmic ocean (samudra manthan) and winner would get Amrit to ensure eternal life. The Devas and Asuras churned the cosmic ocean to obtain Amrit. (This too is a long and fascinating story which we will see some other time).

During the churning (Samudra Manthan) 14 Ratnas emerged. The pot of Amrit (Kumbh) came out in the end. Then started the argument as to who will have Amrit first.

To save humanity, Bhagwan Vishnu thought that it would be better if Devas consume the Amrit and become Amar, rather than the Asuras. He suggested Devas to run away with the Kumbh containing the Amrit. Jayant, the son of Indra in form of Crow, took flight with the Kumbh. The Asuras followed and so did Devas to stop the Asuras. This flight lasted for 12 Days and one day of Gods equals one year of humans.

While running away, some drops of Amrit fell at four places Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. Therefore, since then, these places were considered sacred and Kumbh Mela started being organized at these places. Drops of Amrit fell in the area of Triveni Sangam (confluence of three rivers) in Prayagraj, the Brahma Kund of Haridwar, in Ujjain, they fell in the Shipra river and in Nashik, in Godavari river.

The Kumbh Mela is of four types. Kumbh,

Ardh Kumbh, Purna Kumbh, and Maha Kumbh.

The Kumbh Mela is celebrated based on the positions of celestial bodies. The timing of the year also plays a significant role in its organization. Each Kumbh Mela holds its own unique significance.

1. Haridwar: The Kumbh is held in Haridwar when Jupiter is in Aquarius (Kumbha Rashi) and the Sun is in Aries (Mesha Rashi).

2. Ujjain: The Kumbh is celebrated in Ujjain when the Sun is in Aries (Mesha Rashi) and Jupiter is in Leo (Simha Rashi).

3. Nashik: The Kumbh is held in Nashik when both the Sun and Jupiter are in the celestial constellation of Leo (Simha Rashi).

4. Prayagraj: The Kumbh takes place in Prayagraj when Jupiter is in Taurus (Vrishabha Rashi) and the Sun is in Capricorn (Makara Rashi).

Kumbh Mela

Ujjain, Nashik, Prayagraj, and Haridwar are chosen for this event based on the planetary positions. The event happens at each location once in 4 years.

Ardh Kumbh Mela

When the Kumbh Mela is celebrated every 6 years in a particular constellation, it is called the Ardh Kumbh Mela. “Ardh” means “half,” and hence, it is held every 6 years.

Purna Kumbha

When the Kumbh Mela is celebrated after 12 years, it is called Purna Kumbha. It should be noted that Jupiter(Guru) takes 12 years to complete its journey through the Zodiac.

Maha Kumbha

Completion of 12 cycles of Purna Kumbha constitutes a Maha Kumbha.

Religious and spiritual significance of Kumbh Mela

The purpose of Kumbh Mela is to provide an opportunity for self-purification to the devotees. It is believed that bathing at these places during Kumbh Mela destroys all sins and one attains salvation. Bathing in Kumbh Mela destroys sins and purifies the soul. These fairs are also the centre of meetings of saints, gurus and devotees, where knowledge, devotion and service are exchanged.

Kumbh Mela is organized at some special places in the country where a complete energy mandal was created. Our earth is rotating on its axis, so it produces a 'centrifugal force' i.e. energy spreading outwards from the center. In the latitude of 0 to 33 degrees of the earth, this energy works on our system mainly in vertical and upward direction. Especially at 11 degrees latitude, the energies go straight upwards. Therefore, our ancient Gurus and Yogis did a lot of calculations and identified such places on earth where a particular event has a tremendous impact on human beings.

Many of these places are the confluence of rivers and bathing at these places has special benefits. If a person stays there on a particular day, then doors of rare opportunities open for him. Therefore, people reach there to take advantage of these opportunities.

Significance of 12 Years

Apart from this, the 12-year cycle reflects a special energy change in human life.

Every cell in human body changes in an average time frame of 12 years. So largely, it is like having a new body after almost every 12 years. This time is thus considered suitable for self-purification, faith and meditation.

Our ancients looked at science at the quantum level. It included effects at the quantum level on the human body as well. Thus effect gravitational pull of astral bodies at the quantum level may well be the reason for such practices.

Whichever way one looks at it, I would like to repeat my favourite sentence in the end.

what cannot be transmitted through deep philosophical, and scientific discourses can easily be transmitted over the ages through myth and metaphor

Could this explain the various stories associated with Kumbh Mela?

My basic research on Kumbh Mela...