The Kumbha is the most vibrant, monumental and largest celebration of the Hindus. It is woven into an intricate tapestry of faith, symbols, traditions, culture, astrology, spirituality and social harmony. It is held at the four places namely Prayagaraja, Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar at a gap of twelve years each. It has become an integral part of Indian oral traditions that the nectar splashed at the four places from its pitcher after the Samudra Manthan or the churning of the ocean in the attempt by gods to save it from the demons. These four places became the most sacred and Kumbha celebrations are held there. The story of the Samudra Manthan has ancient roots in the Mahabharata and Puranas, but the story of the spillover of the nectar is not found there. It seems a later oral addition. Astrologically the presence of the Jupiter planet in the Aquarius zodiac sign which is called Kumbha in Sanskrit heralds the beginning of this celebration and this planetary position happens only during the Haridwar gathering.

 

The Nasik and Ujjain celebrations are called Simhastha or the planetary position when Jupiter enters the Leo or the Simha Rashi or zodiac sign. At the time of the Prayagaraja celebration, Jupiter remains in the Taurus zodiac sign or the Vrishabha Rashi. So the Hardwar celebration is the oldest gathering as far as the word Kumbha is connoted. It is the faith of the Hindus that the dip into the holy Sangama or the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati cleanses all the sins and one gets free from the cycle of birth and death.

 

The river Saraswati is called Antah Salila or whose water is present beneath and not visible. This faith has a great symbolic value interwoven into the Yogic and tantric traditions. In the books of Yoga and Tantra, it is mentioned that there are three prominent energy channels which flow in our body like rivers. They are called Ida, Pingala and Sushumna. In normal course the prana or life force flows into Ida and Pingala. But spiritual practices specifically Kundalini Yoga facilitates the flow of the Prana into the Sushumna channel. All these three Nadis or channels meet at the Ajna chakra or the master eye plexus between the eyebrows. The confluence of all these three Nadis elevates and purifies consciousness and one becomes free from all the dualities of material life. In the Shiva Samhita these three Nadis are called Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. Hence when our consciousness takes a dip into the confluence of these three energy channels, it is free from all impurities and is established into its pristine form.

 

This is the spiritual significance of the holy Sangama dip. These gatherings have been so important that from time to time they have attracted royal patronage also. These celebrations have been the great epitome of social harmony, service, charity, penance, devotion and divine grace. Great saints, seers and especially Naga saints are the great attractions of these gatherings.UNESCO has designated these Kumbh Melas as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.