Four Cities, where Kumbh Mela takes place every 12 years

Kumbh Mela is known as one of the largest spiritual gatherings in the world. These gatherings showcase the richness of India, Hindu Tradition, and devotion. The Kumbh Mela rotates every 12 years to these cities - Prayagraj (Allahabad), Nashik, Haridwar, and Ujjain. Each site has its own mythologies and religious significance, attracting millions of devotees, saints, and tourists from all over the world. In this blog, we will learn about the four cities of Kumbh Mela, their significance, and their history.

Kumbh Mela Significance:

Kumbh Mela is deeply connected with spirituality and traditions. These four sacred cities are considered the most holy sites to cleanse the sins and attain Moksha (liberation) by taking a dip in the holy rivers. 

1. Connection of Cosmic Energy
During the Kumbh Mela, the celestial alignments create an atmosphere filled with very positive energy. People believe that bathing in the sacred rivers during this time can align their inner soul energy with the cosmic forces and help in spiritual awakening.
2. Removing Sins
People believe that a holy dip in the Ganga of Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain can remove all the sins accumulated over their lives.
3. Spiritual Practices
Purna Kumbh Mela attracts many pilgrims, saints, and spiritual leaders and they offer discourses, meditation sessions, and rituals. These practices are done to help the devotees get Liberation (Moksha).
4. Largest Gathering
The Kumbh Mela is considered the largest gathering in the world, symbolizing love, unity, and devotion. 

Four Sacred Cities of Kumbh

1. Prayagraj - City of Gods
Pryagraj, formerly known as Allahabad, is the most significant site among the four sites. Prayagraj hosts Kumbh every 12 years at the confluence of three sacred rivers - Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati, popularly known as Triveni Sangam. The confluence of these rivers is considered the most sacred and has immense energy to cleanse your sins and grant moksha. Prayagraj has always been a center of learning and spirituality, mentioned in sacred scriptures. Prayagraj is also known as “the City of Gods”. The most highlighted ritual at Prayagraj is the Shahi Snan (Royal Bath) in Triveni Sangam. It is also known as Amrit Snan. Prayagraj is the only city where the Maha Kumbh organizes and it comes after 144 years.
Why visit Prayagraj Kumbh Mela?
In the Kumbh Mela, Prayagraj transforms the bare Sangam land into a city of tents. Millions of devotees, tourists, sadhus, and naga sadhus gather to experience this spiritual gathering. The mela includes scans, religious discourses, yoga, and community feats. 

2. Haridwar - The Gateway to the Gods
The word Haridwar refers to the word Hari means Gods and Dwar means Gateway. Haridwar City is known for many wonderful elements but the center of attraction is the Haridwar Kumbh Mela, and the mela is held every 12 years. The exact date for the Kumbh Mela is determined as per the Hindu astrology. It is held when Jupiter is in Aquarius and the Sun enters the Aries. The event holds deep religious value to the Hindus as well as other spiritual persons.
Mythological Significance:
Haridwar holds great value because it is one of the places where drops of divine nectar also known as amrita fell on earth. The Kumbh Mela is an auspicious celebration that takes place at Haridwar which is situated near the Ganges river. It is believed that bathing during the Kumbh mela in the holy Ganga river cleanses the soul and brings positivity.

3. Ujjain – the City of Mahakal
Ujjain is well known as the city of Mahakaal, but very few people know that every 12 years, the Kumbh Mela is organized there. The Ujjain Simhastha is a religious Kumbh mela that is held every 12 years in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh near the Shipra River. The name of the mela is Sinhastha or Singhastha. The mela is held when Jupiter enters the Leo.
Spiritual Importance:
The spiritual importance of Kumbh Mela is because it allows bathing in holy rivers and cleanses the soul. The purpose of Ujjain Kumbh Mela is to allow devotees to perform rituals and self-purification. It is believed that after bathing in the Shipra River, the devotee destroys their sins and gains salvation which is necessary for the spiritual upliftment of an individual. 

4. Nashik - The Abode of Lord Rama
Nashik, Pune is one of the places where a few drops of Amrita fell after the Samundra Manthan. Here, the Kumbh Mela is also called Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha which is a Hindu religious mela held every 12 years. The venue of the Mela is on the banks of the Godavari River. The fair involves taking a holy dip in the Godavari River at Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple and the Ram Kund.
Mythological and Historical Relevance:
The Nashik Kumbh Mela is a Hindu fair that commemorates the story of Samudra Manthan, after the event of Samudra Manthan, drops of Amrita fell at 4 places on earth, one of them was Nashik. The Nashik Kumbh Mela is organized every 12 years when Jupiter enters the sign, Leo. 

Kumbh Mela Historical Mythology

According to Vedic Texts, the word Kumbha means "pitcher, jar, pot" in Sanskrit. According to the Sanatan Mythology, the story of Maha Kumbh is connected with the Churning of the Ocean, popularly known as Samundra Manthan. The story starts when the devas (gods) and asura (demons) have a conflict about who seeks immortality. To achieve immortality, they decided to churn the oceans and extract immortality nectar, known as Amrit. In this process, Mount Mandara was used as the churning rod, and the serpent Vasuki was used as a churning rope. When the churning began, several sacred treasures emerged from the ocean like the moon, the goddess Lakshmi, and the poison halahala. To save the Universe from the Poison Halahala, Lord Shiva drinks the poison. When the nectar of immortality (kumbh) appears, a battle begins between the Gods and Demons to consume the nectar. During the battle, a few drops of nectar spilled at these places named - Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. That’s how these sites became the sacred place of Kumbh and believed to hold divine energy.