The Mahakumbh , world’s largest congregation of pilgrims, holds cultural and spiritual significance for crores of devotees as it takes place at the confluence of sacred rivers—Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. Taking dips in the holy waters of Ganga and Yamuna and attending arti, devotees im A 2019 stamp dedicated to Kumbh Mela Kumbh Mela (Sanskrit: कुम्भमेला, romanized: Kumbha Mēlā, pronounced [kʊˈmbʱᵊ melaː]; lit. 'festival of the Sacred Pitcher'[3]) is an important Hindu pilgrimage, celebrated approximately every 4 or 12 years, correlated with the partial or full revolution of Jupiter. [4][5] It is the largest peaceful gathering of people in the world. [6] A ritual dip in the waters marks the festival. It is also a celebration of community commerce ... The origin of Maha Kumbh Mela was transcribed by the 8th-century philosopher Adi Shankaracharya. The founding myth of the Kumbh Mela points out to the Puranas (compilations of ancient legends). It recounts how Gods and demons fought over the sacred pitcher (Kumbh) of Amrit (nectar of immortality) called the Ratna of Samudra Manthan. It is widely believed that Lord Vishnu (disguised as the enchantress ‘Mohini’) whisked the Kumbh out of the grasp of the covetous demons who had tried to ... The Kumbh Mela draws millions of devotees to the banks of India's sacred rivers. While the event is synonymous with spirituality, tradition, and community, its various iterations - Ardh Kumbh ...
