Kumbh Mela 2019

We are approaching the New Year 2019 with new hopes and new emotions. The New Year will take us through plenty of ups and downs and amidst this; there is something spiritual lined up for us. That is the Kumbh Mela – 2019. Kumbh Mela is the largest congregation of humans on Earth where people are driven not by the materialistic world but by the spiritual feelings. No river, mountain, can move the spirit and determination of people to join this spiritual congregation and move towards the heavenly realm leaving behind the earthy cycle of life and death.

What is the mythology behind this?
It is believed in the Hindu Mythology that during the waging war between the angels and the demons, a few drops of elixir of eternal life had fallen on the earth at the four places namely, Ujjain, Nasik, Haridwar and Prayag. These places have gained mystical powers and hence, these places have are the places of religion importance for people. The Kumbh Mela is held every three years in all these cities.

The Shahi Snan is of utter importance in the Kumbh Mela. It is also known as the Rajyogi Snan and it refers to the holy bath taken by the saints, their disciples and the other members at the start of the Kumbh Mela held once in twelve years within the prescribed time. Ujjain is one such city where the Shahi Snan is performed by the saints in the river Kshipra.

The Shahi Snan marks the blessing of the nectar of the Elixir on to the saints and they enjoy the blessed and spiritual feeling. This dip in the water is also taken to wash the sins of the past and start a new phase of life with an aim to lead a peaceful life.

Shahi snan is the highlight of the Kumbh Mela and it is the most important part of the celebrations. It is only after the Shahi Snan is done, the other public is allowed to take bath in the river.