The grand celebration of Maha Kumbh has commenced in Prayagraj today, January 13, 2025, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Paush Purnima. The Maha Kumbh, a confluence of devotion and spirituality, is regarded as the world’s largest religious and cultural gathering. During the Kumbh Mela, millions of saints, ascetics, and devotees from India and abroad gather to take a holy dip at the sacred Triveni Sangam.
The Kumbh Mela is considered India’s most significant pilgrimage. In 2017, UNESCO recognised it as part of the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Maha Kumbh is celebrated during a unique celestial alignment every 12 years at four sacred locations: Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nashik, and Ujjain. Devotees immerse themselves in the holy waters of rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Shipra, and Godavari during the festivities.
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Mythological Origins Of Kumbh Mela:
Several mythological stories are associated with the Kumbh Mela, particularly its connection to the Samudra Manthan (the churning of the ocean) and the sanctity of the rivers. But how did the term “Kumbh” originate? Is there any mention of it in ancient scriptures like the Vedas and Puranas? Let’s explore the reference to “Kumbh” in the Rigveda, one of the four Vedas.
The Vedic Perspective Of Kumbh:
The word “Kumbh” is mentioned at various places in the Vedas, symbolizing a pot or a flow of water. However, according to the Vedas, it has no direct connection with the legend of Amrit Manthan or the Kumbh festivals at Haridwar, Prayagraj, Ujjain, and Nashik.
In Rigveda (10.89.7), the term “Kumbh” is mentioned in a hymn about Lord Indra:
“Jaghanam Vritram Swadhitirvaneva Ruroja Puro Aradatrasindhun | Vibhed Giram Navamitram Kumbhamaga Indro Akṛnutasva Yugbhiḥ”
In this context, “Kumbh” refers to a raw earthen pot, and Indra is described as a destroyer of enemies and a provider of water. There is no reference to the Kumbh Mela or ritualistic bathing.
Meaning Of Kumbh According To The Rigveda:
Interestingly, the term “Purn Kumbh” (full pot) first appears in the Atharvaveda, written around 600 years after the Rigveda. Found in the 34th hymn of its fourth Mandala, it symbolises the concept of time. The Rigveda’s 10th Mandala also mentions the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati, indicating their convergence. Furthermore, Mahabharata and the Puranas mention Prayag, but they lack explicit references to the Kumbh as a fair or festival.
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