KUMBH MELA - The largest religious gathering in the world for self purification!
IMPORTANT DATES FOR ARDH KUMBH: JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2007

Paush Purnima on 3rd January
Makar Sankranti on 14th January; we suggest Makar Sankranti (full moon), a very auspicious day as per the Hindu calendar
Basant Panchami on 23rd January
Maaghi Purnima on 02nd February
Shivratri on 16th February

Discovery Journeys

The biggest religious ceremony in the world, known as "Maha Kumbh Mela" (Great Festival of Urn), is held every 12 years in one of the four pilgrim cities - Haridwar, Allahabad, Ujjian or Nasik. Millions of devotees ritually have a cleansing bath to wash their sins in the holy rivers on eleven auspicious days from the beginning of January to the end of April.

The origins of the Kumbh Mela can be traced to the story of "Sagar Manthan" (the Great Churning of the Ocean) in Hindu mythology. According to the tale, the 'devtas' (demigods) were struck by a curse that made them physically and mentally weak and were thus advised by Lord Brahma (the Creator of the Universe) to drink 'Amrit' (the elixir of life) to rejuvenate themselves. But Amrit could be obtained only by the churning of the ocean and it was not possible for the devtas to do so by themselves. So they turned to Lord Vishnu for help.

Lord Vishnu (the Preserver of the Universe) suggested to them to use Meru Parvat (a mythical peak) as the churning stick and Vasuki (the mythical serpent) as the coil around it. To help them with the churning the devtas sought the help of the 'asuras' (demons). Together they could churn the ocean successfully. By promising to share the Amrit with the asuras, the devtas tricked them into consenting to tug Vasuki from one end.

The churning resulted in an upheaval of such a magnitude that it threatened to destroy the three worlds (Heaven, Hell and the Earth). The gods simply could not let that happen, so Lord Vishnu metamorphosed into a giant turtle Kurma and by acting as a base under Meru stabilised the great churning.

Legend has it that spectacular treasures emerged from the great oceans including Lakshmi the Goddess of prosperity and wealth; Sura, the Goddess of wine; Chandra, or the moon; Apsaras, the celestial nymphs; Kaustabha, the precious gem of Vishnu; Uchchaishravas, the divine horse; Parijata, the wishing coral tree; Kamdhenu, the wish-fulfilling divine cow; Airavata, the four-tusked white elephant that became the vehicle of the King of devtas - Indra; Panchajanya, or the conch; Sharanga, the invincible bow; and Dhanvantri, Nimi and Bharadwaj - the physicians and surgeons.

The churning also threw up Halhala, the deadly poison that had to be destroyed before it could spill over and end in calamity for the universe. But what could be done? Halhala just could not be thrown anywhere as this would be fatal for all the worlds! The only one who could solve the problem was Lord Shiva (the Destroyer of the Universe). A great Yogi, Shiva consumed the deadly poison, but kept it in his throat to prevent it from entering his stomach; this caused his neck to turn blue and thus he also known as Neelkanth (Blue Throat).

Finally, emerged the pitcher of Amrit - the Amrit Kumbh; to prevent the asuras from drinking it the devtas fled with the pitcher. The asuras on realising they had been conned chased the devtas and a battle ensued. In the fracas a few drops of Amrit fell from the urn onto the spots that are present day towns of Haridwar, Allahabad, Ujjian and Nasik, rendering them sacred for eternity.

Discovery Journeys The Maha (great) Kumbh Mela takes place every 12 years and the Ardh (half) Kumbh Mela is held every 6 years; in 2007 Ardh Kumbh will be held in Allahabad. For detailed itinerary and dates.

ALLAHABAD

The holy city of Allahabad - one of the venues of the Kumbh Mela is located at the confluence of the holiest rivers in India. The city is one of the most revered pilgrim centres in the country and has a rich mythological dimension woven into its name. According to a Hindu legend the mythical Saraswati River flowing in the recesses of the earth, joins the Yamuna and the Ganga rivers at Prayag Raj, the ancient name for Allahabad. The confluence of these holy rivers is known as Sangam and is considered a most sacred place for the Hindus. They believe that after their death if their cremated ashes are immersed at the Sangam they would attain 'Moksha' (salvation); freedom from the never-ending cycle of life and death.

Thousands congregate at these locations to cleanse themselves, as participating in this ancient event is analogous to accomplishing the ultimate goal of every devout Hindu - the attainment of "Moksha".

IMPORTANT DATES FOR ARDH KUMBH: JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2007

Paush Purnima on 3rd January
Makar Sankranti on 14th January; we suggest Makar Sankranti (full moon), a very auspicious day as per the Hindu calendar
Basant Panchami on 23rd January
Maaghi Purnima on 02nd February
Shivratri on 16th February

SUGGESTED PROGRAMME

DAY 1:
Leave your country for New Delhi.

DAY 2:
Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel. Afternoon guided sightseeing to Old Delhi.

DAY 3:
After breakfast visit to Akshardham Temple; afternoon board to Allahabad, Arrive and transfer to the hotel.

DAY 4:
Prepration for Festival and Boat ride on the Ganges.

DAY 5:
Visit the 'ghats' to witness the ceremonial bathing.

DAY 6:
After breakfast drive to Varanasi about 4hrs drive, and stay 2 nights in hotel.

DAY 7:
Early morning boat ride, also visit temples and ashrams; afternoon visit to Sarnath.

DAY 8:
Morning Free; afternoon board overnight train to Agra.

DAY 9:
Arrive Agra and transfer to hotel; afternoon visit to Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.

DAY 10:
After breakfast drive to Jaipur and stay 2 nights in delightful heritage hotel.

DAY 11:
Jaipur sightseeing, including ride on painted elephant to 16th century Amber fortress.

DAY 12:
Drive back to Delhi in time to board return flight to home country