The Kumbh Mela is the single largest gathering of human beings at one place at any one time in the world.  Mela refers to ‘a gathering’ or ‘a fair’ and Kumbh, in Sanskrit, literally means a pitcher. According to mythology, when the "Samudra Manthan"- the churning of the oceans took place, Haridwar along with Ujjain, Nasik and Allahabad was one of four sites where drops of Amrit, the elixir of immortality fell out from the sacred kumbh (pot)as the gods and demons fought for possession.

Hence the Mela is celebrated at these four places. The Ardh (half) Kumbh Mela is celebrated every six years at Prayag and Haridwar and the Purna (Full) Kumbh Mela every twelve years. The Maha (Great) Kumbh Mela is celebrated after twelve Purna Kumbh Melas or 144 years, at Prayag.

According to astrologers the spiritual positioning of the planets too play an significant role. The Kumbh fair at Haridwar takes place when the Jupiter enters Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries. This planetary position is said to medicate the waters of the Ganga and turn it into nectar on these days there by attracting millions to purify their inner self through holy bathing rituals.

The next Purna Kumbh Mela will be held at Haridwar from the middle of January up to the beginning of May 2021. It will witness the coming together of millions of pilgrims, sadhus and saints  to take a  ritual cleansing bath in the holy River Ganges on auspicious days during this period. 

Haridwar 

Haridwar is one of the most revered pilgrimage centers in India for resons other than the Kumbh. This is where the Holy Ganga River descends from the Himalaya mountains to the plains. It is the beginning of the pilgrims journey to the Char Dham (the four main centers of pilgrimage Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri . Sacred to followers of Shiva and Vishnu and the birthplace of Shakti  worship. A land steeped in rituals and traditions, enlightenment and liberation , holy men, temples and ashrams, yoga, meditation and ayurveda. Bustling colorful bazaars and green verdant forests. , it is the very soul of India!