|
Maha
Kumbh Mela 2010, Hardwar
Maha Kumbh Mela that takes place
every 12
years. The very auspicious
Kumbh Mela is falling in January - May 2010, Haridwar.
The Historical
Origin
The origin of the Kumbh is very old and dates back
to the time when Kalasha (pot of nectar of
immortality) was recovered from Samudramanthan
(during the churning of the primordial sea), for
which a tense war between Devtas (Gods) and Asuras
(Demons) ensued. To prevent the Amrita Kalasha being
forcibly taken into possession by Asuras, who were
more powerful than Devtas, its safety was entrusted
to the Devtas Brahaspati, Surya, Chandra and Shani.
The four Devtas ran away with the Amrita Kalasha to
hide it from the Asuras. Learning the conspiracy of
Devtas, Asuras turned ferocious and chased the 4
Devtas running with Amrita Kalasha. The chase,
lasted 12 days and nights during which the Devtas
and Asuras went round the earth and during this
chase, Devtas put Amrita Kalasha at Haridwar, Prayag,
Ujjain and Nasik.
To commemorate this holy event of the Amrita Kalasha
12 years.According to other Pauranic legends, actual
fight in the Amrita Kalash being knocked, out of
which Amrita being put at 4 places, Kumbh is
celebrated every
took place between Devtas and Asuras resulting
(Nectar) fell down at the above 4 places.
The festival is religiously most important for the
Hindus. At every Kumbh occassion, millions of Hindus
take part in the celebrations. During 2004 Kumbh at
Haridwar, more than 10 millions devoteed gathered at
the site. Saints, priests, and yogis from all
corners of India, gathered to participate in Kumbh.
Haridwar is considered very holy, due to the fact
that Ganga enter plains from mountains here itself.
The festival is visited by the most amazing saints
from all across India. The Naga Sadhus are one such,
who never wear any cloth and are smeared in ash.
They have long matted hairs and are not at all
affected by the extremes of heat and cold. Then
there are the Urdhwavahurs, who believe in putting
the body through severe austerities. There are the
Parivajakas, who have taken a vow of silence and go
about tinkling little bells to get people out of
their way. The Shirshasins stand all 24 hours and
meditate for hours standing on their heads. Spending
the entire month of Kumbh on the banks of Ganga,
meditating, performing rituals and bathing thrice a
day, are the Kalpvasis. It is believed that bathing
during Kumbh cures the bather of all sins and evils
and grants the bather, salvation. It is also
believed that at the time of Kumbh Yog, the water of
Ganga is charged with positive healing effects and
that water at the time of Kumbh is charged
positively by enhanced electromagnetic radiations of
the Sun, Moon and the Jupiter, the flux of which
also varies in accordance to positions and the
phases of the moon, and also by the + and - signs of
the sun spots.
The
Auspicious Bathing Dates for the Kumbh Mela in
2010, Haridwar:
14 January 2010 (Thursday) - Makar Sankranti -
First Snan
According to Hindu Astrology, on this day the
Sun enters the constellation Capricorn. This day
is celebrated all over India through various
festivals and pilgrimages. This is the first of
the big bathing days.
15 January 2010 (Friday) - Mauni Amavasya and
Surya Grahan (Solar Eclipse) - Second Snan
This is "New Moon of the Saints." For the holy
men and women this is a main bathing day where
they participated in gilded and naked
processions. It is also a day when new members
to various holy monastic orders receive their
first initiation.
20 January 2010 (Wed) - Vasant Panchami - Third
Snan
This is the fifth day of the bright half of the
lunar month and is the beginning of spring in
North India. Traditionally people wear yellow on
this day. It is day when people prayed to the
Gods for a good bumper harvest.
30 January 2010 - (Saturday) Magh Purnima -
Fourth Snan
This is the full moon in the month of Magha
(January - February). Winter is a memory and the
moon shines over the holy river.
12 to 13 February 2007 (Friday) -
Mahashivratri - Pratham Shahi Snan - First Royal
Bath
This is the Great Night of Shiva, the Naked One,
from whose dreadlocks the Ganges flows. He
married Parvati, daughter of the Himalayas on
this day. Shiva has many followers, none more so
than the naked Naga sadhus who live life in
imitation of him.
15 March 2010 (Monday)- Somvati Amavasya -
Dvitya Shahi Snan -
Royal Bath for six Akharas of Vaishnav and Udasi
sects The no moon day on a Monday is such an
auspicious event that the river Ganga, the
divine cosmos, along with all the revered
pilgrimages on this earth, shower exceptional
spiritual benediction on anyone who performs
worship, japa, or meditation on this auspicious
day. The significance of this day is equivalent
to the auspiciousness of a Solar Eclipse. Taking
a holy dip, performance of charitable acts and
Shraddha (giving oblations in the name of manes)
on this day is considered perennial &
everlasting. Observance of vow of silence
followed by a holy dip in the sacred waters
bestows the person with the meritorious effect
equivalent to that of giving a thousand cows in
donation.
24 March 2010 (Wednesday)- Ram Navami - Fifth
Snan
A famous Hindu festival that celebrates the
birth of Lord Rama. It is auspicious to
undertake a fast on this day in the name of Rama.
Many devotees fast for nine days, beginning on
Ugadi (first day of Indian year) to Rama Navami.
The objective of the fast is to seek perfection
as a human being.
30 March 2010 (Tuesday) - Chaitra Purnima
Snan: Royal Bath for six Akharas of Vaishnav and
Udasi sects
The full moon day of Chaitra month is
particularly sacred to the Chitra Guptas, the
recording angels of the Hindu pantheon. A
special worship is offered to these celestial
representatives of the god of death, and an
offering of spiced rice is prepared and later
distributed as prasad or holy sacrament. A fire
worship is done at the close of the ritualistic
worship. This is also the birthday of the monkey
God Hanuman, who symbolizes strength,
unparalleled devotion, and selfless service. A
fast is often observed on this date, and mantras
to Hanuman are chanted.
14 April 2010 (Wednesday) - Amavasya of
Krishna Paksh (dark fortnight) of month of
Baisakh (Vaisakha or Jyeshtha) - Pramukh Shahi
Snan:
MAIN ROYAL BATH for six Akharas of Vaishnav and
Udasi sects
The no moon day in the month of Vaisakh is the
festival of Vata Savitri Vratam. It is a fast
day observed by all Hindu married women for
their husbands' good health and longevity. In
early morning, women take purificatory bath and
wear new clothes. Savitri is worshipped and
fruits are offered to the goddess. In the
afternoon, they bow to their respective husbands
and elderly people.
28 April 2010 (Wednesday) - Vaishakha (Shakh)
Purnima - Snan
The full moon day, last auspicious bathing date
of the Kumbh festival, marks the three major
events in Lord Buddha's life: His birth,
enlightenment and death. Observance of
Satyanarayana Swamy Vratam and Vishnu Pujas are
done on this day, the birthday of Thallapaka
Annamacharya (Annamayya).
|
KUMBH MELA PACKAGE :
-
Day 01 - Delhi – Haridwar (By SHATABDI EXPRESS)
Met upon arrival at railway Station, transfer to
the hotel. Later afternoon city tour followed by
grand viewing of Ashrams, some of which are
recognized as centre of yoga and meditation. A few
of the ashrams in and around Hardwar are.
Daksh Prajapati Temple, Ananand Mai Ashram,
Parad(Mercury)Shivling in Kankhal Region, Mansa
Devi and Chandi Devi (both by ropeway), Maya Devi,
Pawan Dham, Bhuma Niketan, Parmarth, Bharat Mata
Mandir, Shanti Kunj, Saptrishi Ashram and others.
In the evening visit Har -
Ki - Pauri to view the holy Ganges Aarti. This is
the place where the main bathing takes place. The
place is called Brahma Kund, the myths says this
is the place where the nectar can dissolved in the
holy water of river Ganges. If wish, have a dip
here later after viewing Aarti visit the market
near the place. Later back to your Hotel for night
stay.
-
Day 02 -
Hardwar - Rishikesh
After breakfast drive to visit Rishikesh another
ancient place which is famous for its Ashrams and
for grand viewing of Ganges. Visit Ashrams, some
of which are internationally recognized as centre
of Philosophical studies, yoga and meditation.
Uttranchal Tourism is organizing an international
yoga week here every year between 02nd and 07th
February. A few of the ashrams in and around
Rishikesh are.
|
Yoga Study Center |
Mahesh Yogi Ashram |
|
Parmarth Niketan |
Shankarachrya Nagar |
|
Swarg Ashram |
Yoga Niketan |
Check in at Yoga Niketan Ashram. In the evening
view Ganga Aarti at Parmarth later back to your
Ashram for Dinner with group at Ashram. Early to
bed enable you to wake up early in the morning to
attend below schedule:
|
A Typical day At Ashram |
|
05.30 A.M. to 06.30 A.M. - |
Meditation classes |
|
07.00 A.M. to 08.00 A.M. - |
Yoga class |
|
08.15 A.M. - |
Breakfast |
|
12.00 Noon. - |
Lunch |
|
15.00 P.M. to 15.45 P.M. - |
Lecture |
|
16.00 P.M. - |
Tea |
|
16.30 P.M. to 19.00 P.M. - |
Yoga & Meditation Classes |
|
19.30 P.M. - |
Dinner |
-
Day 03 - Rishikesh - Devprayag - Hardwar
Early morning wake up for a Yoga class followed by
relaxation of body & mind. After yogic breakfast
check out from the Ashram and drive to visit the
famous point called Dev prayag. Means the
confluence, the confluence of river Bhagirathi
from Gaumukh (the origin) with river Alaknanda
from Alkapuri near Badrinath. From here the holy
river gets its name, Ganges. Have a bath here or
just pay your rituals by flowing flowers in it.
Later visit an ancient temple of Lord Rama. Drives
back to Hardwar enorute at Kaudiyala have a lunch
break. Later drive to Hardwar. Check in at Hotel.
Rest day free to explore the local area. Night
halt.
-
Day 04 - Hardwar
Early morning wake up for to view the grand
procession of bathing. Sadhu's from different
region collects in their Akhara,s and proceed to
take bath at Har-ki-pauri. With bands, elephants,
horses and others. Take a chance to have bath with
them enjoy the procession be with the part of it.
In the evening we shall take you to their Akhara's
to see them from very close, try to spend some
time with them. Later back to your hotel for night
stay.
-
Day 05 - Hardwar - Chilla (National Park) 15 kms
Free time for own activities. After lunch drive to
Chila for a wild life safari, Arrive Chilla, check
in at Huts later briefing on jungle discipline,
animal behavior & low impact eco friendly
outdoors. Drive back to your hotel for Dinner &
night halt.
-
Day 06 - Chilla - Delhi
Early morning have a walk in nearest jungle or
with river Ganges. Later back to your hotel for
breakfast. Rest day free to discuss about the trip
or others. In the evening you will be transferred
to station to connect train to Delhi.
TOUR INCLUDES : -
»
Accommodation on
twin Sharing Basis on APAI Basis.
»
Non A/C
transportation by Tata Indica / Ambassador, Toyota
Qualis, Tempo Traveller, 27 Seater Push Back Coach
»
All meals including Bed Tea, Breakfast, Lunch or
Dinner.
TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDES :
-
2.58% GST, Meals other then
mentioned above, soft drinks, laundry, porter,
pony, tips, camera fee, ropeway charges, entrance
charges, personal expenses of the clients or any
other expenses incurred due to bad weather, road
closure, land slides etc. and anything not
specified in cost include.
|
