Ravinder Jalali
Simhasth Kumbh Mahaparva derives its name from the ‘Pot of immortality’ or ‘Amrit Kund’. Amrit Kund is mentioned in scriptures like Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu Purana, the Mahabharata, and the Ramayana. It is believed that during ‘Samundra Manthan’, a pot of nectar was found.
Legend has it that during the churning of ocean by Devas (Gods) and Danavas (Demons) yielded a jar (Kumbh) full of Amrit (nectar). Gods did not wish to share it with demons. At the instance of Lord Indra, the King of Gods, his son Jayanta tried to run away with the jar but was followed by some of the demons.
During the struggle for its possession, a few drops of the nectar dropped at four places corresponding with Haridwar, Prayag, Ujjain and Nasik on the earth. The drops of nectar were well received by the holy rivers at these places. Kumbh is held at each of these places namely Haridwar, Allahabad, Nasik and Ujjain. Simhasth Kumbh Mahaparv is held at Ujjain once every 12 years. Millions of devotees come to take a bath in the holy Rivers to wash off their sins. The devotees believe this to be an opportunity to get ‘moksha’ (salvation) and put an end to the never ending cycle of birth-death-rebirth. Ujjain, one of the most sacred places in India, is located on the banks of the sacred river Kshipra in the western region of Madhya Pradesh.
All kinds of herbs were cast into the ocean and fourteen Ratnas (gems or treasures) were produced from the ocean and were divided between asuras and gods. Though usually the Ratnas are enumerated as 14, the list in the scriptures ranges from 9 to 14. According to the quality of the treasures produced, they were accepted by Vishnu, the devas, and the asuras.This list varies from Purana to Purana and is also slightly different in the epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Kumbh Mela is held at each of the four places namely Haridwar, Allahabad (Prayag), Nasik and Ujjain once in every 12 years. It is known to be a time when spiritual energy travels all around the place during this holy event. It’s a social harmony where you get to see many saints and sadhakas gathering at one place. This event even gives you the chance of seeking the blessings of these pious saints.
The position of the Sun, Moon and Jupiter in different zodiac signs determines the location of the Kumbh in each of these places.
Kumbh in Haridwar: When the Sun is in the zodiac sign Aries and Jupiter is in Aquarius it is held in Haridwar.
Kumbh in Prayag: When the Sun is in Capricorn and Jupiter is in Taurus, it is held in Allahabad (Prayag).
Kumbh in Nasik : When Jupiter enters the zodiac sign Leo it is held in Nasik. It is also held in Nasik, when Jupiter, Sun and Moon enter the zodiac sign Cancer on Amavasya.
Kumbh in Ujjain: When the Sun is in the zodiac sign Aries and Jupiter in the zodiac Leo, it is held in Ujjain. Considering its relevance to the zodiac ‘Leo’ meaning ‘Simha’ in Sanskrit, the Kumbh is also referred to as ‘Simhasth Kumbh’.
It is the great bathing festival which sees lakhs of devotees coming together from across the world to celebrate this month long congregation. The ceremonial bathing takes place in the holy River Kshipra on the full moon day of Chaitra month and continues in different intervals during the entire month of Vaishakh, culminating on the tenth full moon day.
Holy Dip Dates (Proposed Snaan Dates) are as under:-
Chaitra Shukla Purnima – Vaishakha Shukla Purnima, Vikram 2073
(22nd April, 2016 (Friday) to 21st May, 2016 (Saturday) (Day)
According to myth, holy dip in Kshipra river in Ujjain, is very important during this festival. One gets salvation after taking a dip in the holy Kshipra river in Ujjain when the month is Vaishakh, Shukla Paksha, Jupiter is in Leo, Sun in Aries, Moon in Libra and Swati Nakshatra, Vyatipath Yog.
Holy dip in Kshipra can be taken at other places too, but during Simhasth Kumbh Mahaparv taking it in Ujjain has a special meaning. As the struggle for the possession of the nectar jar (Amrit Kumbh) lasted for twelve days in the heaven, the corresponding period turned out to be twelve years on the earth for the human beings.
Apart from the religious importance, the festival also has social significance. The festival could be described as huge public assemblage in 12 years. Sadhus, Saints and religious heads come here to attend Simhasth Kumbh Mahaparva. The common people find solace in their company.
Of the four Kumbhs, the Kumbh of Ujjain is called as Simhasth Kumbh Mahaparv. The Simhasth Kumbh Mahaparv is also famous for its unique features. According to Puranas, Kurukshetra has been described as 10 times more sacred than Prayag, Kashi is 10 times holier than Prayag, Gaya is 10 times holier than Kashi and Kushasthali or Ujjain is 10 times holier than Gaya. The presence of Kshipra river has doubled the importance of Ujjain.
It will be incomplete if Mahakaleshwar Temple is not mentioned with Simhasth Kumbh Mahaparva. It is locally known as Mahakal. It is one of the 12 Jyotirilinga and is a three-storey temple. You can find the lingams of Mahakalesvara, Omkaresvara and Nagachandresvara installed in the lowest, middle and the uppermost part respectively.
Mahakalesvara’s Lingam is colossus. The silver coated Naga Jaladhari and the emblazoned and obscure silver-plate wrapping the roof of garbhagrha give that added opulence to the shrine. The temple is renovated during the Kumbha Parva. The structure in the region of the temple was built by different ruling kings. However, a part of it was shattered by Sultan Iltutmish, when he attacked the city during 1234.
Bhasm-Aarti is a prime attention seeking event here. It starts prior to the break dawn to wake up the divinity. The ceremony consists of the worshipping the idol with sacred ash brought from the ‘ghats’. It’s applied on the ‘lingam’ before conducting the holy prayers.
