The ancient origin of the Kumbha Mela is
described in the time-honored Vedic literatures of India
as having evolved from the bygone days of the universe
when the demigods and the demons conjointly produced the
nectar of immortality. It is said that the demigods and
the demons assembled on the shore of the milk ocean that
lies in the celestial region of the cosmos. The demigods
and the demons made a plan to churn the milk ocean to
produce the nectar of immortality. They then agreed to
share the nectar equally once it was produced.
For the task of churning the milk ocean,
the Mandara Mountain was used as the churning rod, and
Vasuki, the king of serpents, became the rope for
churning. As the churning began, the Mandara Mountain
began to sink deep into the ocean, at which time Vishnu
incarnated as a great tortoise and supported the
mountain on His back. With the demigods at Vasuki’s tail
and the demons at his head, they churned the milk ocean
for one thousand years. |
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The churning of the milk ocean first
produced a deadly poison which Shiva drank without being
affected. As Shiva drank the poison, a few drops fell
from his hands and were licked up by scorpions, snakes,
and similar other deadly crea¬tures. After Shiva drank
the poison, numerous opulent items were produced. First
a surabhi cow appeared, who could yield unlimited
quantities of milk. A white horse named Uccaihsrava was
then produced, as well as a white elephant named
Airavata. Then a valuable gem called the Kaustubha-mani
appeared.
Next came the apsaras, beautiful dancing
girls, and a host of other wonderful things appeared
from the milk ocean. At last a male person named
Dhanvantari appeared carrying the pot of immortal nectar
in His hands. Seeing Dhanvantari with the pot of nectar,
both the demigods and demons became anxious. The
demigods, being fearful of what would happen if the
demons drank their share of the nectar of immortality,
forcibly seized the pot.
Wherever the demigods went with the pot
of nectar, fierce fighting ensued. In an endeavor to
keep the nectar from falling into the hands of the
demons, the demigods hid it in four places on the earth,
Prayag (Allahabad), Hardwar, Ujjain, and Nasik. At each
of the hiding places, a drop of immortal nectar spilled
from the pot and landed on the earth. These four places
are since believed to have acquired mystical power.
Eventually, the demons overtiful woman,
Mohini-murti, and approached the demons. When the demons
saw the charming beauty of Mohini-murti, they lost all
composure. Seeing Her slender hips, raised breasts, and
pleasing smile, the demons completely forgot about
drinking the nectar of immortality. While the demons
were thus bewildered by Her beauty, Mohini-murti seized
the nectar and returned it to the demigods, who drank it
immediately.
According
to astrologers, the 'Kumbh Fair' takes place when the
planet Jupiter enters Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries.
According to mythology, 'Devas' (Gods) and 'Asuras'
(Demons) churned the ocean to obtain Nectar and when the
coveted 'Kumbha' (pitcher) of Nectar (Amrita) which gave
immortality was obtained from the depths of ocean, one of
the 'Devas' whisked away the 'Kumbha' from the 'Asuras'
and evading from the 'Asuras', stopped at four places viz.
Hardwar, Allahabad (Prayag), Nasik and Ujjain before he
finally arrived into the safety of heaven. A few drops of
Nectar are supposed to have spilled over on the water at
these four places and sages, saints and pilgrims started
periodically to flock to each of these 'Tirthas' to
celebrate the divine event. In fact , it is a unique event
that blends religious and social features alike.
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Haridwar (The Gateway to God...) : Haridwar stands as
the gateway to the four pilgrimages of Uttaranchal.
Geographically and geological, Haridwar, lying at the feet
of Shiva's hills, i.e., Shivaliks, in the Haridwar
district of Uttaranchal Pradesh, is a doorway. Suryavanshi
prince Bhagirath performed penance here to salvage the
souls of his ancestors who had perished due to the curse
of sage Kapila. The penance was answered and the river
Ganga trickled forth form Lord Shiva's locks and its
bountiful water revived the sixty thousand sons of king
Sagara. In the traditional of Bhagirath, devout Hindus
stand in the sacred waters here, praying for salvation of
their departed elder. It is doorway to the sources of the
Ganga and the Yamuna, 3000 to 4500 meters up into the
snowy ranges of the central Himalayas. The 'Aarti' worship
of the Ganga after sunset and the floating 'dia' (lamp) is
a moving ritual.
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