Story or Importance of Kumbh Mela

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ORIGIN OF KUMBHA MELA

 

Kumbha Mela derives its name from the immortal “Pot of Nectar” described in

ancient Vedic scriptures known as the Puranas. Kumbha in Sanskrit language

means “jug or pitcher”. Mela means “festival”. Thus Kumbha Mela literarily

means festival of the jug. Or in this case the festival celebrating the

appearance of the jug of nectar.

 

The origin of the Kumbha Mela is described in the ancient Vedic literatures

of India. In the bygone days of the universe, the demigods and the demons

made a truce to jointly produce the nectar of immortality. They assembled on

the shores of the great milk ocean lying in the celestial region of the

cosmos. The plan was to churn the milk ocean to create the nectar of

immortality. They then agreed to share the nectar equally once it appeared.

 

For the task of churning the milk ocean, they used Mandara Mountain as the

churning rod. Vasuki, the king of serpents, became the rope for churning. As

the churning began, the Mandara Mountain began to sink deep into the ocean.

At that time, Vishnu incarnated as a great tortoise and supported the

mountain on His back. With the demigods at Vasuki’s tail and the demons at

his head, they churned the milk ocean for one thousand celestial years.

 

The churning first produced a deadly poison that Lord Shiva drank without

being affected. As Shiva drank the poison, a few drops fell from his hands

and were licked up by snakes, scorpions, and similar other deadly creatures.

After the churning continued, numerous wonderful items came out. First a

surabhi cow appeared, who could yield unlimited amounts of milk. A white

horse named Uccaihsrava was then produced, as well as a white elephant named

Airavata. Then a valuable gem called the Kaustubha-mani appeared.

 

Next the apsaras, beautiful dancing girls, and a host of other dazzling

things appeared from the milk ocean. At last, a male person named

Dhanvantari appeared carrying the pot of immortal nectar in His hands.

Seeing Dhanvantari with the pot of nectar, both the demigods and demons

became anxious. The demigods, fearful that the demons would drink all the

nectar without giving them their share, forcibly seized the pot.

 

Wherever the demigods fled with the pitcher of nectar, fierce fighting

ensued. To keep the nectar from falling into the hands of the demons, the

demigods hid it in four places on the earth, Prayag (Allahabad), Hardwar,

Ujjain, and Nasik. At each of the hiding places, a drop of immortal nectar

spilled from the pot and landed on the earth. These four places are since

believed to have acquired mystical power.

 

Eventually, the demons overcame the demigods and took possession of the

nectar of immortality. To rescue the demigods from the hands of fate, Vishnu

incarnated as a beautiful woman, Mohini-murti, who approached the demons.

When the demons saw the charming beauty of Mohini-murti, they lost all

composure. Seeing Her slender hips, raised breasts, and pleasing smile, the

demons completely forgot about drinking the nectar of immortality. While the

demons were thus bewildered by Her beauty, Mohini-murti took the nectar from

their hands and returned it to the demigods, who drank it immediately