"KUMBH MELA"

The history of Kumbh Mela dates back to the creation of the Universe legends. Mythologicals state that the Gods and the Demons once churned the ocean to retrieve the Kumbh (pot) containing nectar of immortality (Amrit). As Dhanvantri, the divine healer appeared with the Kumbh containing nectar in her palms. A great fight followed between the Gods and the Demons to wrist the pitcher. During the fierce battle in the sky, a few drops of Nector fell at four different places, Prayag, Hardwar, Nasik and Ujjain. Since then devotees converge to commemorate this divine event.

According to belief of Astrologers, during this battle the planet too played an important role. Infact the Kumbh Mela takes place when the Jupiter enters Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries. This planetary position is said to medicate the waters of Ganga, and turns into nectar on these days, thereby attracting millions to purify their inner-self through holy bathing rituals. Spiritually, position of planets during the Kumbh Mela is good for concentration and meditation.

Legends has it that the Holy Ganga, the Holiest of all rivers, which flows through Hardwar has actually been sanctified by the powerful Trinity of Hindu Mythology and the center of the Pantheon - Lord Brahma, Vishnu & Mahesh. Which gives this Fair great significance. It is a unique event that blends religious and social features alike. With the entire atmosphere saturated with chiming bells, incense and flower fragrance, vedic hymns, mantras, beating of drums on horses, camels, elephants during processions of Naga (Naked) Sadhus from different Akhadas go along showing their strength, skills along with their Gold and Silver chariots being pulled by people....pure enchantment for the soul.

" Once I myself went to Hardwar", said Lord Shiva, "Which is the Sanctuary of Vishnu and because of the power of that ford, I took on the form of Vishnu. The good people who go their find good health..... Hardwar is also a grand Pilgrimage of mine. This best of all fords bestows the four goals of life in the Kalyug; it gives Dharma to people and releases success as well there, where the lovely and pure Ganga flows perennially. They who listen to the great fame of the place obtain the same fruit as offering us a horse Sacrifice or giving away a thousand cows". Ganga the Holiest of all rivers is herself reversed as a Deity. From dawn till dusk there are worshippers who mingle with her blessed waters - "Hail to the Mother Ganga" - is an oft- heard refrain.

Lord Rama, the hero of the epic Ramayana, and an incarnation of Vishnu, visited Hardwar to atone for the sin of killing Ravana, the demon King of Lanka.

Archaeological finds have proved that a terracotta culture, dating between 1700 BC & 1200 BC existed in this region. There are references that the first Jain Saints, Sri Adinath, performing penance at Mayapuri is of 1000 BC. The excavation in Hardwar between 1862 & 1865 found a statue of Lord Buddha with his disciples and another depicting Buddha in an meditative posture beneath the Bodhi tree. Around the 1st century AD, there is reference to Hardwar being a part of the Kushan Empire. In AD 634, the Chinese pilgrim Huein Tsang visited Hardwar, calling the place Mo-Yu-Lo, meaning " Mayapur or Magical City ". The Mugal Emperor Akbar (1556-1605) had a mint in Hardwar. Coins belonging to this era have been unearthed. Akbar's trusted General, Raja Mansingh of Amber (Jaipur) laid the foundation stone of modern Hardwar.

The first European, Thomas Coryat, visiting during Kumbh describes as "..a memorable meeting of the gentle people of this country....where of about forty thousand people go thither of purpose to bathe & to shave themselves, or to sacrifice a world of gold into the same river".

Between 1786-1794 two British artists, Thomas Daniel & William Daniel visited Hardwar and their numerous paintings are possibly the first visual records of the city. Capt. Thomas Skinner witnessed the Kumbh at Hardwar in 1830 AD said, "We had passed thousands of people in every description of vehicles hastening towards it. They were of all ages, all costumes and all complexions; no spot on earth can produce so great a variety of the human race at one assemblage".

Kumbh Fair is once in a lifetime experience for the lucky one's. The crowd and confusion of buyers & sellers, the native groups in every imaginable costume, some shining in cloths of gold, surrounded by followers splendidly arranged, others less expensively but picturesquely dressed, and many half or full naked or wildly clad all mixed up with priests, soldiers, religious mendicants, half beggars, half bandit, with here and there a cluster of Europeans, exhibit all together a concourse which no other place in the world can show.

To watch a Kumbh procession is to witness the march of centuries. The noise baffles all description, the shout and cries of ash-smeared sadhus come mingled with the neighing of horses, the trumpeting of elephants, the grunts of camels, the bellowing of bulls, and as if these are not enough, there are gongs and drums beating, trumpets blaring, condishells blowing and bells ringing. In the midst of all this discord, regular musicians perform.

The whole of the river, town and inhabits part of the forest, presents a series of illuminations as soon as darkness is commenced.

The next Kumbh Fair shall be held at Haridwar (Febuary / March / April "2010"). Our Company shall be putting-up a tent colony for our clients accommodating and guiding them throughout the Fairs.

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