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Mahakumbh 2025: The tradition of celebrating Kumbh has been going on since the ancient times of Sanatan Dharma. Purna Kumbh fair is held every twelve years in these four places – Haridwar, Prayag, Ujjain and Nashik respectively, while Ardh Kumbh festival is also celebrated in Haridwar and Prayag. But this Ardh Kumbh festival does not take place in Ujjain and Nashik.
Regarding the beginning of the Ardh Kumbh festival, some people are of the opinion that when the Hindu religion started being attacked more in the Mughal Empire, at that time the Shankaracharyas from all four directions called for the protection of the Hindu religion by meeting sages, mahatmas and great scholars in Haridwar and Prayag. After calling and discussing, Ardh Kumbh Mela started being held in Haridwar and Prayag. Wherever there is mention of Kumbh festival in the scriptures, there is mention of Purna Kumbh only.
Purnaḥ Kumbhodhi Kaal Ahitastan Vai Paśyāmo Bahuda Nu Santḥ. Sa ima vishwa bhuvanani pratyamkaal tamahuh parame vyoman ll.
(Atharvaveda 19.53.3)
O saints! Purna Kumbh comes after twelve years, which we see many times in the four pilgrimage places of Haridwar, Prayag, Ujjain and Nashik. Aquarius is called that special period, which occurs due to the combination of planets, zodiac signs etc. in the great sky.
Kumbh takes place every twelfth year in these four places – Haridwar, Prayag, Ujjain and Nashik. But the order of Kumbh Parva of these four places is determined in this way, when both Sun and Moon come to Capricorn during Jupiter in Aries or Taurus, then Kumbh Parva takes place in Prayag.
After this, whatever be the interval of years, when Jupiter is in Leo and the Sun remains in Aries, then Aquarius is celebrated in Ujjain. In the same Barhaspatya year, when the Sun is in Leo, Aquarius is observed in Nashik and then at an interval of about six Barhaspatya years, when Jupiter is in Aquarius and the Sun is in Aries, then Aquarius is observed in Haridwar. Among them, Ardh Kumbh is held only in Haridwar and Prayag with a gap of six years.
In fact, the importance of the Ardh Kumbh festival established by the Purvacharyas is immense; Because the purpose of Ardha Kumbh festival is especially sacred and philanthropic like Purna Kumbh. Philanthropic festivals ensure great welfare of the country and society along with propagation of religion.
According to Kumbh Parva (Geeta Press), the origin of Kumbh is linked to the churning of the ocean, when after the nectar pot was released, there was a continuous war between the gods and demons for twelve days. During this conflict, the Amrit Kalash fell at four places on earth (Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik).
The Moon stopped the flow of nectar from the Ghat, the Sun protected the Ghat from breaking, the Guru protected the Ghat from the demons, and Saturn protected the Ghat from the fear of Devraj Indra. Ultimately, God took the form of Mohini and distributed nectar to everyone and thus the war between gods and demons ended.
The reason for the number twelve is that there was a continuous war between gods and demons for twelve days to obtain nectar. The twelve days of the gods are equal to the twelve years of humans. Hence there are twelve Aquarius also. Out of them only four Kumbhs are on earth and eight Kumbhs are in heaven.
The importance of the number twelve becomes such that when it comes twelve times, it becomes 144, which is called Maha Kumbh, however, there is no mention of it in the scriptures, just like Ardha Kumbh is also not found. Only Purna Kumbh is mentioned in the scriptures.
This does not mean that Ardh Kumbh or Maha Kumbh is wrong. The Kumbh that comes in the 144th year after the Kumbh that comes after 12 years is completed 12 times, is called Maha Kumbh, so there is nothing wrong in it. All this becomes a medium to unite various sects of Sanatan Dharma.
Note- The views given above are the personal views of the author. It is not necessary that ABP News Group agrees with this. The author alone is responsible for all claims or objections related to this article.
