Read this page for DATES of SNAANS, PLACES TO STAY in Kumbh, PM Modi's visit
The grand Ardh Kumbh in
Prayagraj ( Allahabad ) is one of the four Kumbh Melaas (fairs) of India - which are unparalleled celebrations,
the largest spiritual gatherings in the world !! The other Kumbh Melaas are held at Haridwar and Prayag (Allahabad) !! At the same place, a Ardh Kumbh Melaa is held every 6 years, based on the celestial line-up of planets and the signs of the Zodiac !! For the numbers, an estimated
5 crore (50 million) pilgrims, from all over the country and some even from abroad, are expected to attend this fair over the month long period !!
'Ardh Kumbh' in its literal English translation means a 'Pot/Urn', which emerged from “Samudra Manthan”(Churning of the Ocean) between Gods and Devils !! The term 'Melaa' signifies a 'large fair' !!
It is believed that the Gods and the Demons competed fiercely in the churning of the ocean in search of the divine nectar of immortality !! During this epic battle to capture the Urn (Kumbh) containing the nectar, drops of the precious liquid fell at four places – Haridwar,
Prayag (Allahabad), Nashik and Ujjain !!
when Jupiter is in Aries or Taurus and Sun and Moon are in Capricorn during the Hindu month of Magha (January-February) !!
It’s a social harmony where you get to see many saints (Saadhus) and followers (sadhaks) gathering at one place !! Saadhus of various sects from across the country assemble in Prayag and mingle with believers as they take their ritual dips in the holy waters of the Ganga !! According to the Hindu religion, the holy bath (snaan) of the Ardh Kumbh is equal in piety to thousands of Kartik Snaans (holy dips in Kartik month), a hundred Magh Snaans (holy dips in Magh month) and crores (tens of millions) of Narmada Snaans (holy dips in River Ganga, Yamuna and Swarsati) !! The fruits of a Kumbh Snaans are equal to the fruits of thousands of Ashvamedh Yajnas and lacs of journeys around the Earth !!
In this unique mega fair, the pilgrims take dips in the holy waters, visit the
sangam and other ancient temples in and around Prayagraj ( Allahabad), and thereafter find spiritual solace in ‘
Satsang’ and ‘
Sankirtan’ in Mahaparv Kshetra (the grand fair area) with great
Saadhus !!
Traditionally,
Ardh Kumbh Mahaparv is celebrated by various
'Akhaadaas', where
'Peshwaee' (Procession) begins in their full glory !! The heads of these
'Akhaadaas' join the processions on Silver thrones (
Simhasanam) on elephants or carriages !! It offers magnificent views with the presence of armed
'Saadhus' on horses and camels, followed by other
Saadhus, hermits and devotees !! The
'Peshwaee' completes at the Ram Ghaat area on the banks of River
Ganga !!
The word 'Akhaadaa’ is a distorted form of the word ‘Akhand’, which means 'complete organisation' !! These traditional Indian organisations are training schools with all facilities for boarding, lodging, and training !!
In
Prayagraj (Allahabad), the Uttar Pradesh government's team of seniors officials is handling the administration of this mega event and have even set-up an advance help centre / forum for visitors !! You can register yourselves with the administration, based the areas of your interest/s for visiting the Ardhkumbh and then, you'll receive periodic updates accordingly !!
The OFFICIAL HELP-LINE phone number for Ardh Kumbh is +91-99915-37200 and the POLICE number across the state and India is 100 !
When you are visiting the Ardh Kumbh, you can click beautiful and rocking pictures of the people, cultures, monuments, and various other memorable moments send to us at info@indorerocks.com !!
In the Ardh Kumbh, based on the interest of visitors, various itineraries are also being planned, which include:
- Heritage Walk
- Ancient Temples
- Migratory Bird Spots
- Historical Monuments
Besides the 5 crore believers that are supposed to come here, many celebrities, business-persons, politicians and other famous people are also expected to visit !! However, the most sough-after VIP visit would be that of India's Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi's, who's scheduled to come to Prayagraj (Allahabad) during Ardh Kumbh along with the other very important personality coming to the Ardh Kumbh !!
Proposed dates for the Snaans (Holy Dips in River Ganga):
Name of the Holy Dip Scheduled Date/s (Day/s)
1st Shahi Snaan (Royal Holy Dip) 14th January, 2019 (Tuesday)
Pouse Purnima 21st January, 2019 (Monday)
2nd Shahi Snann (Moni Amawashya) 04th February, 2019 (Monday)
3rd Sha Basant Panchmi 10th February, 2019 (Sunday)
Maghi Purnima 19th February, 2019 (Tuesday)
Mahashivratri 04th March. 2019 (Monday)
PLACES TO STAY in the ADRDH KUMBH in Prayagraj (Allahabad):
Stay at the luxury, air-conditioned tents with modern bathrooms, which also serve all (vegetarian) meals, located at the Ardhkumbh Tent City, on the River Ganga bank, in heart of Sangam Prayagraj (Allahabad:
1 Rishikul Kumbh Cottages +91-6307 563 565 info@rishikulkumbhcottages.com
But if you want to choose a budget accommodation in a basic hotel, right in the main areas of the Prayagraj (Allahabad), here are Indore Rocks' picks of some of the best available in Prayagraj (allahabad):
We hope you have a great and rocking visit to Prayagraj (Allahabad), and the rest of UP state during this mega fest !!
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