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