Ardh Kumbh Mela, Allahabad 2019 – A Complete Guide
Kumbh Mela is a mass Hindu pilgrimage of faith in which Hindus gather to bathe in a sacred or holy river. Kumbh Mela in Allahabad is scheduled from 15th January to 4th March. This is Ardh Kumbh Mela organized in Prayag near Triveni Ghat, Allahabad.
Read further to dates of Ardh Kumbh Mela to be organized in 2019, the important dates related to Ardh Kumbha Mela, major attractions, things you should not miss and also where you can stay during your visit to the Kumbh mela.
Important dates of Ardh Kumbh Mela, Allahabad 2019.
The Kumbh Mela is to be held in Allahabad (Prayag) in the year 2019 from 15th of January till 4th of March. The most important dates of Ardh Kumbh Mela, 2019 are :-
15th January – Makar Sankranti (1st shahi Snan)
21st January – Paush Purnima
4th February – Mauni Amavasya (Main Royal Bath 2nd Shahi Snan)
10th February – Basant Panchami (3rd shahi Snan)
19th February – Maghi Poornima
4th March – Maha Shivratri
Triveni Sangam, Allahbad Aarti Time
Evening Aarti Time: 06:00 pm to 07:00 pm
Kumbh Mela Tent Information and Booking.
The government has developed a tent city in Prayag, which is believed to be the temporary world’s largest city.
To get information regarding different tents available at Allahabad you can check the following –
Kumbh Mela Tent City Information, Allahabad
You need to book tents in advance to be assured to comfortable stay. Also, this will be helpful as it helps in choosing tents of your own choice.
To book tent for Kumbh Mela, Allahabad click here –
Kumbh Mela Tent Booking, Allahabad
Where to stay near Kumbh Mela, Allahabad?
Visit these link for accommodation booking.
1. Jain Mandir Jain Dharamshala
2. Bangur Bhavan
3. Madhwa Mutt Pejawara Mutt
What is Ardh Kumbha Mela?
Ardh Kumbha Mela is a Kumbha Mela organized half-way to Kumbha Mela. You can also say that Ardh Kumbha Mela is a Mela organized after the 6 years of the completion of Kumbha Mela. Ardh Kumbha Mela is in the same way of Kumbha Mela and also at the same place. The only difference between Kumbha Mela and Ardh Kumbha Mela is Ardh Kumbha Mela is organized after 6 years of Kumbha Mela being at same place and Kumbha Mela is after the 12 years of Kumbha Mela. Ardh Kumha Mela is organized only at Haridwar and Prayag in Allahabad after the 6 years of Kumbha Mela organized at that place. Ardh Kumbha Mela does not take place at Trimbak and Ujjain.
Why you should not miss Ardh Kumbh Mela at Allahabad?
- The sacred smell of burning joss sticks is enlightening.
- The echoes of sadhus and Babas chanting prayers.
- Millions of people gathering to take a dip in the holy water.
- You will be confined to grand, divine and joyous evening aarti.
- You can take a dip in royal bath that people believe is way to attain Moksha.
- The Ardh Kumbh is being touted as the Divya Kumbh and Bhayva Kumbh.
- Almost 140 million more expected to attend the Kumbh Mela.
Major attractions of Ardh Kumbh Mela, Allahabad 2019.
- The Royal Bath
The devotees wake up as early as 3 a.m to queue up to take their morning bath and wait until the sadhus take the dip and once they are done with their bath then only the common people are allowed to take the dip.
2. Akharas and Sadhus
There are several Akharas who are the followers of Shiva & Vishnu. These Saints & Akharas gives religious speech that are worth hearing and divine.
The different group of saints are :-
(i) Nagas – The saints with no clothes and ash smeared all over the body. They are the first to take bath in holy river.
(ii) Urdhwavahurs – These are saints who perform special spiritual practices and rituals. Their bodies undergo several austerities.
(iii) Kalpvasis – The saints resides beside the river and perform meditation and other spiritual activities.
(iv) Shirshasinse – These saints have unique way of meditation and sleeping. They meditate while standing on their head with support of wall or pole.
(v) Parivajakash – They never speak because they pledged not to do so. They use holy bells to communicate.
3. Satsangs
During, Mela several satsangs are organized in Ashrams and halls by religious saints. They have good knowledge of Hinduism.
4. The night experience
Although the Kumbh Mela is crowded, the best experience is at night at Triveni Ghat with cool breeze, calm atmosphere and lights.
5. Camp Stay
The best part of Kumbh Mela is the stay at camps. The camps are set-up for Sadhus and people preferring to reside near ghats. The camps are very near to the river. Now, even special camps are set-up for international travellers.
6. Food
Several Langars and prasads are organised at community area. The food is very delicious and its a beautiful experience.
How to travel to Prayag, Allahabad ?
By Rail
Prayag has its own railway station. The railway station is well-connected to the major cities of India.
By Road
Prayag does not have a bus depot. You need to travel till Allahabad Bus stand and then to Prayag. Allahabad bus depot is just 2.5 Km away from Prayag. Local Transport is easily available from Allahabad bus stand to anywhere in Prayag.
By Air
The nearest Airport to Prayag is Bamrauli Airport, Allahabad. The airport is just at a distance of 12 Km. Bamrauli Airport is well-connected to all major cities of India. One can easily hire a cab or travel through local transport to reach Prayag.
Other places where Kumbh Mela is organized
The major cities of Kumbh Mela are Haridwar, Prayag in Allahabad, Trimbak in Nashik district and Ujjain. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu dropped drops of Amrita at four places and these places are major sites of Kumbh Mela.
Kumbh Mela is inscribed on the UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The main festival site is on the banks of a river. The Ganga at Haridwar, the Triveni Sangam of the Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvati at Allahabad, the Godavari at Nashik and the Shipra at Ujjain.
It is believed that bathing in these rivers purifies the soul cleaning all the sins
Purna Kumbh Mela
Purna Kumbh Mela or The Kumbh Mela is held every 3 years in four different places in particular sequence. At a same location The Kumbh Mela is held in a cycle after 12 years. Kumbh Mela is organized depending on Hindu calendar according to the combination of zodiac positions of the Jupiter, the Sun and the Moon. There is about a 3 years difference between the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad and Haridwar. Kumbh Mela in Nashik and Ujjain may be held in consecutive year.
Magh Mela
Magh Mela is the smaller version of Kumbh Mela. Hence, it is also called ‘Mini Kumbh Mela’. Magh Mela is organized every year at Triveni Sangam of Ganga, Yamuna & Saraswati in Prayag, Allahabad. Magh Mela commences on the day of Makkar Sankranti with auspicious bathing of people in river. This continues for 45 long days.
Maha Kumbh Mela
The most important Kumbh Mela is the Maha Kumbh Mela that periodically falls every 144 years. It is held after 12 Purna Kumbh Melas in Allahabad. The last Maha Kumbh was held in 2013. A rarest of rare occasion, the Maha Kumbh Mela is looked upon by most Hindus as a once in a lifetime occasion that one can attend only with great fortune.
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