Kumbha Mela - 2013 (Brief)
Kumbha
Mela – 2013
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 including foreign tourists. This time participation is expected to cross 100 million with more than one million foreign tourists expected to visit India on this occasion.
Dates
to remember in the calendar of Kumbha Mela-2013
Date
|
Significance
|
27.01.2013
|
Pushya Sukla
Pournami (Full Moon day)
Maagha Snaana
Aarambha
|
06.02.2013
|
Shat-Thila Ekaadasi
|
10.02.2012
|
Pushya Bahula Amaavaasya
|
15.02.2013
|
Vasantha Panchami
|
17.02.2013
|
Ratha Sapthami
|
18.02.2013
|
Bheeshmaashtami
|
25.02.2013
|
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)
All said and done, the sacred bathing festival will be held almost for a period of 57 days starting from Makara Sankramana (14.01.2013) and ending with Maagha Bahula Amaavaasya (11.03.2013). During this period every day lakhs of people are expected to take bath in the holy confluence of Sangam with more number participating during the specified days. 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 could 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.
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 gets increased depending on the place
where the bath is taken as given below.
- With hot water at home–Merits 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 rivers–38400 years of such Snana phala;
- In Ganga (Ganges) River–Merits 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 the coming posts…
PRAYAGA - THE THEERTHA RAJ (Triveni Sangam)
Maagha Maasam - Merits & Significance
Pushya Masam - Significance
MAKARA
SANKRANTHI
(Makara Sankramana)
Useful links for Kumbha Mela –
2013
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