Next Kumbha Mela in Haridwar in 2010

Kumbha (meaning pot) Mela is a sacred HinduCalcutta towards Ganga Sagar, where it meets the
pilgrimage that takes place at the following 4 locationssea.
of India.Haridwar is home to some of the Most sacred Hindu
•Prayag (Allahabad) at the confluence of threerituals. Devotees from all over the world flock here in
rivers Ganga (Ganges), Yamuna and Saraswatitheir thousands to perform prayers.
•Haridwar where the river Ganga enters the plainsHaridwar is also known for the Kumbh and Ardh
from HimalayasKumbh Melas that are held marking the 12 years solar
•Ujjain on the banks of Shipra river, andcycle. Millions of devotees take a dip in the Ganges to
•Nasik on the banks of Godavari river.attain salvation. It is also believed that at the time of
The Kumbha pilgrimage occurs 4 times every 12Kumbh Yog, the water of Ganga is charged with
years, once at each of the 4 locations above. Eachpositive healing effects and that water at the time of
12-year cycle includes the Maha (great) Kumbha MelaKumbh is charged positively by enhanced
at Haridwar and Prayag, attended by millions of people,electromagnetic radiations of the Sun, Moon and the
making it the largest pilgrimag gathering around theJupiter, the flux of which also varies in accordance to
world.positions and the phases of the moon, and also by the
The holy city of Haridwar lies at the foot of the+ and - signs of the sun spots.
Shivalik range of the Himalayas Legend goes thatIt is said that you can attain salvation by praying to
when lord Shiva sent Ganga to quench the thirst ofLord Vishnu (Hari) or Lord Shiva and hence this sacred
the people, she extricated herself from the mattedspot is known both as Haridwar and Hardwar.
locks of Lord Shiva an descended to the plains atThe enchanting "Aarti" at "Har Ki Pauri" captives the
Haridwar. From here, the Ganga proceeds eastwardsbeholder with hundreds of burning wick lamps floating
and southwards through Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna,down the Ganga or Ganges.