KUMBH MELA Sanctity : Holiest Hindu Festival Held : Every 12 years Purpose : Taking the Holy Bath Other Host : Haridwar, Nasik and Allahabad

Pilgrim Destination

Festive Celebration

Ujjain - The Sacred Host of the Kumbha Mela

Ujjain, is not only famous for its heritage treasures or temples, one of the prime attraction that draws people toward it is the Kumbh Mela that happens here once in every twelve years. Kumbh ka Mela is the largest spiritual festival known to humanity.
Imagine if you get lost in Madhya Pradesh and in doldrums, land up in a place where you see thousands of bearded men clad in orange cloth and taking dips in the river early in the morning, then you must relax because you surely have reached Ujjain. This holy city in the heart of India is located at a distance of 55 kms from Indore and every 12 years it attracts around 10 million pilgrims for Kumbh ka Mela a grand fair.

Kumbh Mela - History and Legend

Kumbh Mela has a very absorbing legend associated with it. It is said the Indra (ruler of celestial bodies) was gifted a garland of flowers by the Durvasa, a renowned savant. But Indra, fortuitously passed it to his divine elephant under who's feet, it got crushed. Hurt by this gesture, Durvasa, out of rage cursed Indra of denudation of his powers and as a result, Indra was circumvented by Bali, a fiendish king. The gods then pleaded Vishnu for penance and he recommended divine nectar called Amrita, that helped in attaining immorality. To obtain this the oceans and 'asurs' stirred and the part of delight was distributed among the Brihaspati, (Jupiter) Surya,(Sun) Chandrama (Moon) and Shani (Saturn). This process took 12 days to get materialised, which is equivalent to 12 years on earth. During the process however, few drops of this Amrit fell on four regions of the earth namely  Allahabad, Ujjain, Nasik and Haridwar. Since then these places are revered and once in 12 years play host to the pious Mela.

Spirituality in Ujjain

• Ujjain

The Kubh Mela in Ujjain was last held in the year 2004. River Shipra is the pious stream where the holy baths are taken. Sadhus, saints and clairvoyant from all over the country find their way to Ujjain during the fair. Want to see the unique sight of the ash  daubed priest, a farrago of sages and padlocked hands of the ardent devotees, come to Ujjain. The sight of spiritualism in the festival bliss is nonpareil. The howling sounds of the Sadhus, intermingling with those of the congregation of the sounds of elephants and the camels, will make you go short for words, if you try to pen down these experiences.
This Mela is held in Ujjain, when Jupiter enters the cosmic circle of Leo. In that there is a combination of the 10 Punyaprad Yog or various specified factors. Thus, this is the condition one should look for attending the Kumbh Mela in Ujjain.
The Siddhi Ashram in Ujjain plays host to several hundreds people who come to pay their homage on the eve of this important festival also a perfect place for your sojourn in Ujjain. There are a lot of cultural and spiritual activities that goes on here. So do not waste time. Get soppy in the next Kumbh Mela that will be organised in Ujjain in the year 2016. But there is another chance in the year 2010 when Ujjain will hold the Ardh Kumbh Mela. So do not wait make sure you are not left behind this time.

Spiritual Programmes

Being a Spectator is not the only thing well, want to know something more about the Indian culture and traditions, arrange for a stay at the Siddhi Ashram, where the amiable Sadhus will be keen and always ready to answer your queries. From all over the world spiritual leaders come here to preach and have elaborate discussions on the philosophy and history of their unique. You too can participate in these programmes wherein the audience get a chance to interact directly with these spiritual dignitaries.

Improve Your Health with the Therapies and Yoga

Looking for solace and peace. Come to the Kumbh Mela because it is not only a spiritual ground. Spiritual perspectives on the healing therapies of Ayurveda and Naturopathy, Yagopathy (fire therapy), Acupressure, and meditation is provided. These methods are used in the cure of mental and physical illness.
Various spiritual practices are also taught in the ashram emphasizing the philosophy of Yoga, Vedanta, and Tantra. Classes for Yoga and meditation are also organised.

Enjoy the Cultural Programmes

This is not all. You can also enjoy the cultural programmes that are organised during the festival. These special programmes involving spiritual folk dance, stage plays of many deities, spiritual singing and chanting, as well as several special religious pujas, rituals, and fire ceremonies, are exclusive for the residents of the Siddhi ashram.
This festival is the celebration of divine panacea of life. There are thousands of tents bubbled up where countless men and women can be seen carrying out processions for their evening or morning rituals. People offering cash and gifts to the 'Sadhus' and 'togis lined up on the either side of the pedestrian, is a common sight. Do not get awestruck if you encounter ash-smeared 'Sadhus' stark naked. These are common sights that you will see. But this Kumbh Mela is the ideal time to understand the rich culture and traditional beliefs of the religious Madhya Pradeshis.