| Visit the largest religious gathering in the world, the | | | | The legend goes that because of the curse all the |
| Kumbh Mela and catch the glimpses of the richness of | | | | heavenly deities lost their strength. Then one day Lord |
| Indian culture. Celebrated with great enthusiasm and | | | | Brahma (the creator of the universe) offered a |
| faith, the Mela is considered the holiest Hindu pilgrimage. | | | | valuable advice to all Gods to churn the Milky Ocean |
| Its sheer religious and mythological significance draws | | | | for Amrita( the nectar of immortality) because once |
| millions of devotees and tourists from all parts of the | | | | they have it, they will be immortalized. But the main |
| globe. This world famous Mela is celebrated at four | | | | challenge was that without the help of demons they |
| main religious sites namely Haridwar, Allahabad | | | | would not be able to do it. So finally the Gods had an |
| (Prayag), Ujjain and Nasik after every 12 years. And | | | | agreement with the demons and according to the |
| the Ardh Kumbh Mela is held after every 6 years at | | | | agreement the Gods after getting the nectar will share |
| Allahabad and Haridwar. | | | | it with the demons. |
| This year the Kumbh Mela is being held in Haridwar | | | | Finally when the Kumbha (urn) containing the nectar |
| from 14 January 2010 to 28 April 2010. The Indian | | | | was achieved, the fight between the gods and the |
| astrologers say that due to change in the planetary | | | | demons started. In order to possess the nectar urn, |
| movements, the water of the holy river Ganga at | | | | they fought with each other for twelve days and |
| Haridwar gain the properties of nectar during the Mela | | | | twelve nights ( which are equal to twelve human |
| period. The belief is that by taking a dip in the holy | | | | years). In the midst of the battle Lord Vishnu managed |
| water of the sacred river frees one from all the bad | | | | to run away with the Kumbha of amrita and it was the |
| karmas one had committed in the past and helps attain | | | | time when drops of amrita fell at four places on the |
| moksha( enlightenment). | | | | earth: Haridwar, Allahabad( Prayag), Ujjain and Nasik. |
| There is an interesting legend behind this Mela. Its origin | | | | That is the reason the fair is celebrated at these |
| and history is as old as the creation of the Universe. | | | | places after every twelve years. |