Kumbha Mela 2013 (Brief)

With Jupiter (Bruhaspathi) already transiting the zodiac sign Taurus (Vrushabha Raasi); Sun entering into Capricorn (Makara Sankramana) on 14th January 2013; marks the beginning of once in 12 years world famous river festival Poorna Kumbha Mela arguably the largest religious gathering on earth starting from 27th January. This carnival will be held for a period of one month from 27th January 2013 to 25th February 2013 coinciding with the Hindu Lunar months Pushya-Maagha maasa (from Pushya Sukla Pournami to Maagha Sukla Pournami) and Maagha Mela. Ocean of humanity (men; women; sadhus; saints) from all walks of life irrespective of caste; creed; region; participate in this Hindu religious and spiritual fair in millions of numbers. This time it is being held at the sacred Prayaga Kshethra (Allahabad) on the banks of divine Sangam, the confluence of three holy and sacred rivers Ganga; Yamuna and Saraswathi attained more significance. Previous such Kumbha Mela was held in the year 2001 and nearly 80 million people estimated to have participated in the carnival. Dates to remember in the calendar of Kumbha Mela-2013 Date 27.01.2013 06.02.2013 10.02.2012 15.02.2013 17.02.2013 18.02.2013 25.02.2013 Significance Pushya Sukla Pournami (Full Moon day) Maagha Snaana Aarambha Shat-Thila Ekaadasi Pushya Bahula Amaavaasya Vasantha Panchami Ratha Sapthami Bheeshmaashtami Maagha Pournami Maha Maaghi

Other important related dates 14.01.2013 - Makara Sankramana (Transit of Sun into Makara Raasi) 10.03.2013 Mahaa Sivaraathri 11.03.2013 Maagha Bahula Amaavaasya (Somaavathi) Maagha maasam is given special significance for taking bath known as Maagha Snanam. It generally starts from Pushya sukla Pournami and ends with Maagha sukla Pournami or it can also be from Makara Sankramana to Kumbha Sankramana as per Solar/Luni-Solar calendar. For followers of lunar calendar it starts from Pushya Bahula Amaavaasya and ends with Maagha Bahula Amaavaasya. During this period it is prescribed to take bath early in the morning before Sunrise preferably during Arunodaya kaala. This sacred bath is preferred to be taken in any river, lake or theertha or at least at home. Taking a bath (Snana) which is always refreshing, not only cleanses our external body, but also has significance from religious and spiritual point of view in the daily routine of an individual. In Hindu philosophy daily routine generally begins with a bath before worshiping God, a discipline that is inculcated with a sense of cleanliness in our actions. If it is during an auspicious period like Maagha maasam, its spiritual merits are in multiple. It is said that Maagha Snana can purify a person even from ghastly and dreadful sins committed. Taking bath early in the morning during Maagha maasam is highly sacred, spiritual and meritorious. Sacred texts like Vayu Purana, Brahmaanda Purana are said to have made reference to the merits and significance of Maagha Snanam. According to Dharma Shaastras, the merits of Maagha Snaana get increased depending on the place where it is made as given below. With hot water at homeMerits equivalent to Six years of such Snana; From the waters of a well 12 years of such Snana phala; In a lake 24 years of such Snana phala; In any river 96 years of such Snana phala; In any sacred river 9600 years of such Snana phala; At the confluence of sacred rivers38400 years of such Snana phala;

In Ganga (Ganges) RiverMerits equivalent to 38400000 years of such Snana phala; At Triveni Sangam (Prayaga) 100 times of Ganga Snana phala; Maagha Snana in a sea (Samudra) is considered as more meritorious than all the above.

Wherever the bath is taken one should always remember to recollect Prayaaga and pray Maasa Niyaamaka Sri Maadhava (Lord Vishnu). Look forward for more information on Kumbha Mela in coming posts

Related posts you may like to read from the blog PRAYAGA - THE THEERTHA RAJ (Triveni Sangam) Maagha Maasam - Merits & Significance Pushya Masam - Significance MAKARA SANKRANTHI (Makara Sankramana) Useful links for Kumbha Mela 2013
http://kumbhmelaallahabad.gov.in/english/index.html http://kumbh-mela.euttaranchal.com/ Sri Krushnaarpanamasthu

http://bhargavasarma.blogspot.com