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