Kumbh Mela is a mass gathering of Hindus from across India and around the world in a place where the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers converge in Prayag (Allahabad). This area is known as Sangam. Astrology determines the date and duration of this festival. The place of the festival also depends on the position of Jupiter, the sun and Earth. The origin of the Kumbh Mela religious festival comes from a legend describing a war between gods and demons over possession of the elixir of eternal life or the 'nectar of immortality'. It is believed that a few drops of this elixir fell on Earth at four places during various cosmic battles. These four places (Haridwar, Nasik, Ujjain and Sangam) are where the rivers are believed to possess mystical and healing powers. Because the gods and demons battled back and forth for twelve days and twelve days of the gods are equivalent to 12 years of humans, the Kumbh Mela is celebrated once every 12 years in each of these four places. According to the legend, the 'Kumbh' was the container that held 'the immortal nectar' of the Gods.
Kumbh Mela 2019 Dates- January 14, 2019 to March 4, 2019.
Place: Sangam, Allahabad
Important Dates-
January 15, 2019: Makar Sankranti (When Sun enters Capricorn)
January 21, 2019: Paush Purnima (Take a dip in any holy water body)
February 4, 2019: Mauni Amavasya (Remembering ancestors)
February 10, 2019: Basant Panchami (Coming of Spring)
February 19, 2019: Maghi Purnima (Day of the full moon in Magh)
March 04, 2019: Mahashivratri (Wedding Day of Shiva and Parvati)