Yes, the dates are announced and the Uttarakhand government also started working to establish a complete tent city to host you at Kumbh Mela 2021 at Haridwar. Before we start sharing more information about the schedule and accommodation, let’s go through the details of Kumbh Mela 2021.
About Kumbh Mela 2021
The Maha Kumbh Mela is a holy gathering of Hindu pilgrims from across the world. It is an occasion of grandeur and the occasion always ensures a massive gathering of spiritual seekers who come together to revel in the holy assembly. It is held at a gap of 12 years and it takes place in rotation in the holy cities of Haridwar, Allahabad, Nasik, and Ujjain. The event also calls for huge congregations of saints and spiritual leaders to bathing in the holy rivers. This Mela includes many activities for a spiritually satisfying and fun-filled religious trip.
The auspicious city of Haridwar, also known as Devbhoomi, in Uttarakhand State in India will be hosting the holy gathering of the Maha Kumbh Mela. It is scheduled to be held in the year 2021. This Mela will be held from January 14th, 2021 to April 27th, 2021. It will be the largest religious gathering of Hindus in the world. The event of this festival will witness ritual bathing on the banks of River Ganga in Har Ki Pauri, Brahmkund.
The occasion of Maha Kumbh Mela will observe a gathering of almost a million pilgrims including sadhus and religious people from various akharas. All these pilgrims will gather and take a holy dip in River Ganges. It is believed that bathing in the holy Ganges helps the pilgrims to get rid of all their sins. Maha Kumbh Mela is a trip for Hindus that attracts faithful devotees as the sacred waters are believed to be eternally blessed by the divine during this time. The holy bath is believed to help wash away all the sins and this helps the pilgrims to come closer to salvation.
Haridwar Kumbh Mela 2021 dates
The Haridwar Kumbh Mela will be held from January 14, 2021, to April 27, 2021, and there will be various important dates that will witness the holy bath during this period as mentioned below:
- Makar Sankranti Snan – 14 January 2021
- Mauni Amavasya Snan – 11 February 2021
- Basant Panchami Snan – 16 February 2021
- Magh Poornima – 27 February 2021
- Maha Shivratri Shahi Snan – 11 March 2021
- Somvati Amavasya Shahi Snan – 12 April 2021
- Baisakhi Shahi Snan – 14 April 2021
- Ram Navami Snan – 21 April 2021
- Chaitra Purnima Shahi Snan – 27 April 2021
What Is Kumbh Mela and where is it held?
Kumbh Mela is a state government initiative to highlight Indian heritage and spread the message across the world. It is highly significant amongst Hindu Pilgrimage and marks the importance of taking a dip in the holy water of the rivers namely Ganges, Yamuna, Saraswati, and the Godavari.
The Mela is held at four locations in rotation across India which according to the Hindu mythology are the very points where the drops of Amrita (drink of mortality) dropped from the Kumbha (pot) while Lord Vishnu was transporting it. The Mela takes place on the banks of the river in Haridwar, Allahabad, Nashik, and Ujjain and the gathering so huge that it is crowned as one of the world’s largest religious gatherings of pilgrims (Gangasagar Mela being the 2nd largest). The Ardh Kumbh Mela is an event held in six years of the gap that is between two purna Kumbh Mela Prayag and Haridwar. The Kumbh Mela (also known as purna Kumbh Mela) takes place once every twelve years at any given place and the exact date for which is determined as per Vikram Samvat calendar and astrologically according to the positions of Jupiter, the Sun, and the Moon.
Haridwar Accommodation for Maha Kumbh 2021
As the holy city of Haridwar gets ready to welcome the huge congregation of pilgrims from across the country, it is important to gather information about the accommodation arrangements for food, lodging, and stay before visiting. The state government has arranged for accommodation for the event that includes clean and secure camps, hotel rooms, cottages, and tents with all basic amenities. Many of these accommodations have attached toilets, running hot and cold water, dining facilities, toiletries, comfortable beds, and dining facilities.
It is important to book proper rooms in advance to ensure a comfortable and safe pilgrimage for the Kumbh Yatra. The lodgings should be finalized as per the requirement of facilities during the fair. include deluxe cottages, economy cottages, luxury cottages, and dormitories. These facilities are located on the Kumbh Mela ghats and grounds. Below are the major types of lodgings provided during the Kumbh Mela:
- Dormitories Tent – These are the best options for affordable travel and stay as the camps provide basic facilities during the Kumbh Mela
- Economy Cottage – These tents are the best option for budget travel and for visiting the Kumbh Mela 2021
- Deluxe Cottage – These tents provide better facilities than the basic tents and include other luxury facilities like attached bath and other facilities
- Luxury Cottage – This is one of the finest accommodations during the Kumbh Mela and it includes complete features in a package.
The Legends about the Kumbh and the Sadhus
The legend behind the Kumbh Mela takes us back into medieval Hindu mythology. Though there are no strong ties to these legends but the origin of the festival is linked to ancient Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean). The legends talk about the battle for the Kumbha (pot) of Amrita between the Devas and Asuras to prevent a carrier flew away with the pot. Now, the truth lies unclear whether that carrier was a divine physician Dhanvantari who stopped at four places where the Kumbh Mela is organized or was it the Garuda who spills the Amrita at these four places. Since there is no mention of the Amrita or the Kumbh Mela itself, their truth still resides in the mysteries of the past.
Sadhus, a highlight of the visual sights one would have all through the day as far as the eyes can see. Draped in the saffron these sadhus with long hairs and beards giving them a distinct look can be spotted anywhere in the town. From dusk to dawn they will be a common sight. Don’t be shocked if you spot them roaming around naked with Bhabhuti (holy ash) all over their body. These are the Naga Baba and it’s their way of devoting their faith to Lord Shiva.
With this, let’s end up this, hopefully intriguing, read and wish you make it to the grand celebrations of Kumbh Mela 2021. Have a spiritual time with some fun sprinkled over it.