| Looking to attain 'Nirvana', 'Moksha' or | | | | nectar on this day. Although, all new moon |
| salvation following Hindu strictures? Join in | | | | nights or 'amavasyas' are auspicious for a |
| the spiritual paths of the Kumbh festivities | | | | holy dip, on this particular day, pilgrims do |
| being celebrated at Prayag or ancient | | | | not utter a word or keep "maun"(silent) until |
| Allahabad in North India. Prayag is the holy | | | | they bathe in the holy waters of the Ganges. |
| site that marks the confluence of the | | | | |
| mystical river, Saraswati (not physically | | | | The three auspicious Hindu dates -Basant |
| visible but believed to flow in the recesses | | | | Panchami (23rd January), Maaghi Purnima (2nd |
| of the earth or to exist on the spiritual | | | | February) and Maha Shivratri (16th February) |
| plane) - joining the two most ancient and | | | | in 2007 is expected to add to the gusto |
| revered Indian rivers-the Ganges and the | | | | amongst monastic orders and Hindu believers |
| Yamuna. | | | | to uphold their ranks in the various |
| | | | spiritual folds. |
| This 'Sangam' or the confluence of the holy | | | | |
| rivers is considered sacred. The Hindu belief | | | | The Kumbh festivities could be reckoned as a |
| is to scatter or immerse one's cremated ashes | | | | colorful pageant of diversities in the Hindu |
| at the 'Sangam' to attain 'Moksha' or | | | | religion, exposing facets of the cult or |
| salvation- a freedom from the infinite cycle | | | | occult nature of Hinduism as a diverse |
| of life and death. The Maha Kumbh Mela or the | | | | religious order. Hermits, sages, learned |
| great festival of the ethereal urn symbolizes | | | | yogis and miracle men all rub shoulders and |
| attainment of this state of 'Nirvana' or | | | | exhibit their spiritual prowess through their |
| 'Moksha'. | | | | "chakraa" or meditative senses to commoners |
| | | | and missionaries alike. |
| The Kumbh Mela, one of the most important of | | | | |
| Hindu spiritual gatherings takes place every | | | | The Kumbh Melas attract all sorts, from |
| three years in rotation between the four | | | | traditional to non-traditional followers of |
| major Hindu pilgrim centers-Allahabad, | | | | Hinduism from the Himalayas, Swamis and |
| Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. Hindu believers | | | | missionaries from South of India and also |
| in millions congregate at these locations to | | | | from shores abroad -Africa, Japan, Europe and |
| cleanse themselves, symbolizing the | | | | also America. |
| attainment of 'Moksha'. | | | | |
| | | | The faces of ash-smeared mendicants, the |
| Haridwar is located in the state of | | | | "Digambers", add to the mystic appeal of the |
| Uttaranchal Pradesh where the holy Ganges | | | | Kumbh "snan". The diversity of the learned |
| flows in from the Himalayan plains and is | | | | men and their commoner devotees but speak |
| believed to flow out some 15,500 miles | | | | volumes about the overwhelming mass appeal |
| towards the Bay of Bengal in the East coast | | | | that India continues to wield over other |
| of India. The ancient city of Ujjain is | | | | countries spiritually---a trend which has |
| located on the banks of the Ksipra River in | | | | intensified with tour operators cashing on |
| Madhya Pradesh and Nashik on the banks of the | | | | this season and developing tour packages |
| Godavari River flows past the West coast of | | | | around the Kumbh Mela and its destination. |
| Maharashtra. | | | | |
| | | | Though there is no air link to Allahabad, |
| The year 2007 cites important in the history | | | | airports from metro cities could be accessed |
| of the Ardh Kumbh as celebrations gather | | | | directly through airports in Varanasi and |
| momentum at Allahabad this year. Paush | | | | Lucknow about 147 kms and 210 kms |
| Purnima (3rd January) and Makar Sankranti | | | | respectively from Allahabad. There are rail |
| (14th /15th January) solemnized "Gangasagar | | | | links from Allahabad to cities like Calcutta |
| Snan" in multitudes. | | | | Delhi, Patna, Guwhati, Chennai, Mumbai, |
| | | | Gwalior, Meerut, Lucknow Kanpur and Varanasi. |
| More zest is expected in Allahabad on the | | | | Allahabad is on National Highways (NH) 2 and |
| 19th of January, the Mauni Amavasya or the | | | | NH 27 and taxis, cycles and auto rickshaws |
| "New Moon of the Saints" day. This day is the | | | | are the common means of transport within the |
| first and main bathing or cleansing day for | | | | city. Most tours are locally centered on the |
| holy folks where gilded and naked processions | | | | Allahabad city, the Fort and the University. |
| by mendicants mark spiritual passions. It is | | | | |
| also a day when new members are initiated | | | | 2007 is also likely to unfold the twelfth |
| into the innumerable holy monastic orders or | | | | "Dharma Sansad" or religious congregation of |
| "Akharas" for the first time. | | | | the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and arrangements |
| | | | are on for the third Vishwa Hindu Sammelan |
| The 2007 "Mauni Amavasya" hopes to witness | | | | or World Hindu gathering to be held to be |
| some 20 million pilgrims taking holy dips at | | | | held on February 11, 2007 within the Ardh |
| the 'Sangam' in Allahabad or ancient "Prayag | | | | Kumbh premises. Such conferences depict the |
| Raj". Devout Hindus believe that on Mauni | | | | enormity of the Kumbh Mela as a breeding |
| Amavasya, the sun, moon and the planets - | | | | ground for religious discourse and |
| Venus and Mercury are in the zodiac of | | | | discussions and challenge the devotees to |
| Capricorn, a rare but perfect alignment of | | | | learn and unlearn from these talks. |
| planets. | | | | |
| | | | The origin of the Kumbh Mela dates back to |
| The day deems special because the above | | | | the Hindu mythological tale of "Sagar |
| planetary position enables the sun's rays, | | | | Manthan" (the Great Churning of the Ocean) |
| when they fall on the Ganges to turn the | | | | which resulted in the pitcher of nectar or |
| river water into nectar or 'Amrit', hence a | | | | the "Amrit Kumbh" to emerge from the ocean. |
| dip in the holy river is akin to drinking | | | | |