Allahabad Kumbh Mela 2018 | Prayag Kumbh Festival 2018

Allahabad Kumbh Mela Prayag in 2018 -2019

In the year 2018-2019, Ardh Kumbh Mela in Allahabad (Prayag) will be held. The preparation of the same has already begun and the Uttar Pradesh government and Allahabad local civic body is already in action to plan and implement even the minutest details. Guests from all across the globe come to participate in, photograph, experience and watch the socio-religious burst of colors.

Kumbh Mela in Prayag (Allahabad), one of the biggest religious gatherings of the world, gives rise to a gigantic fair. Pilgrims flock to the shores of the Ganges and Sangam (confluence of rivers Ganga & Yamuna). The last time, in 20013, 100 million faithful gathered here for three weeks. Regarding the Kumbh Mela, legend has it that long ago, when the man was not yet born and the gods reigned on earth, churning of ocean had taken place. The gods and demons both participated in the churning. As the nectar emerged out of this churning, the demons rushed to grab the kumbh (vase) containing the elixir of immortality (Amrita ). The demons started chasing the gods to snatch the nectar. In this process four drops escaped into the sky. One drop fell at Allahabad (Prayag) and the rest three at Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain. As a result, these four cities are considered holy cities and Kumbh Mela takes place there on every twelfth year. It is in memory of this event that the Kumbh Mela takes place, every 12 years. As there are 4 sacred places, it actually occurs every 3 years alternately in one of the 4 holy cities.

It is a unique opportunity to live and experience the religious fervor of India, but also to find a little lost in the immense influx of pilgrims. In Allahabad, the Kumbh Mela is particularly celebrated on Sangam and Tribeni Ghat, where Gandhi's ashes were scattered in 1948. The atmosphere around the fort and the river is quite peculiar. During the Kumbh Mela, it is necessary to imagine that millions of people (yes, millions!) gather here on vast sandy banks of the holy River Ganga, occupying tens of hectares. Everyone here sleeps in makeshift tents. A fascinating city within the city is born there in a few days. It’s a kind of miracle, an outcome of numerous exotic religious and cultural practices of the Hindu faithful.

In addition to the great Kumbh Mela, Magh Mela, an annual gathering of the pilgrims and Hindu devotees in the month of January ( Hindu month Magh), takes place on the same place with similar fervor. It can be termed as "mini-Kumbh Mela" which nevertheless gathers its little million pilgrims!