Maha Kumbh, January 2021 is all set to be organized in Haridwar with some Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines by the Uttarakhand Government. An action plan has been devised for garbage disposal and maintaining cleanliness. They also decided to take some strict steps to control overcrowding. This grand religious fair will be completely different this time due to the ongoing contagious COVID-19 pandemic.
Here are the guidelines government issued for the safety of tourists during Kumbh Mela 2021 in Haridwar:
- A limited number of pilgrims will be allowed.
- Entry passes will be mandatory.
- Following social distancing norms is also compulsory.
- It is mandatory to wear a mask in public areas.
Kumbh Snan/Bathing Dates 2021
| Dates | Snan/Bathing |
|---|---|
| 14 January | Makar Sankranti (Important Snan/Bathing) |
| 28 January | Paush Purnima (Important Snan/Bathing) |
| 11 February | Mauni Amavasya (Very Important Bathing) |
| 16 February | Basant Panchami (Important Snan/Bathing) |
| 27 February | Magh Purnima (Important Snan/Bathing) |
| 11 March | Mahashiv Ratri (Shahi/Royal Bathing) |
| 13 March | Phalguni Amavasya Important Snan/Bathing) |
| 28 March | Falgun Purnima (Important Snan/Bathing) |
| 11 April | Chaitra Amavasya (Important Snan/Bathing) |
| 12 April | Somvati Amavashya (Shahi/Royal Bathing) |
| 13 April | Nav Hindu Sanwatsar (Important Snan/Bathing) |
| 14 April | Mesh Shakaranti (Shahi/Royal Bathing) |
| 21 April | Ram Navami (Important Snan/Bathing) |
| 27 April | Chetra Puranmashi (Shahi/Royal Bathing) |
| 11 May | Vaishakh Amavashya (Important Snan/Bathing) |
| 26 May | Vaishakh Purnima (Important Snan/Bathing) |
Kumbh Mela is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. Devotees and pilgrims from all parts of the world visit India particularly to be a part of this holy event. The divine celebration offers great peace to devotees. Held in Uttarakhand’s holiest city Haridwar, Kumbh Mela is organized on the banks of River Ganga. It is believed that a holy dip in Ganga cleanses all the sins. The festival is attended by a number of devotees from all parts of India and across the globe.
Mythology Behind Kumbh Mela
According to Hindu mythology, Kumbh Mela recalls the victory of demigods over demons. They decided to churn the Kshir Samudra (Milky Ocean) together to get Amrit (heavenly nectar) to attain immortality. Both demigods and demons agree to share the nectar.
Further, demigods escaped with nectar pot, due to which demons chased them for twelve years. In this chase, nectar got spilled at four different places- Haridwar, Allahabad, Ujjain, and Nashik. Thus, these four places are considered to be the most pious Hindu regions in the world. As the chase continued for twelve years, Kumbh Mela is celebrated at four different places in every twelve years.
During Kumbh Mela, it is said that the water of the holy river turns into nectar and cleanses all the sins. Moreover, you can also read the description of Kumbh in the four great epics of the Hindus- Ramayana, Mahabharata, Vishnu Purana, and Bhagavata Purana.
Kumbh Mela Celebrations 2021
Holding one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, the main attraction of Haridwar Kumbh Mela is its rituals- the worship ceremony. Devotees here perform the worship ceremony wholeheartedly. It is one of the perfect places to offer prayers and get the blessing of the Lord.
