Mythology of Kumbh

There are many mythological stories related to the origin of Kumbh festival. These include three major stories – the first is the story of Garuda and Amrit Kalash, the second is the story of Samudra Manthan and Amrit Prapti, and the third is the story of the Amrit Kalash falling as described in Garuda Purana. Of these, the story of Samudra Manthan is considered to be the most famous and accepted. This story symbolizes the struggle between good and evil and shows that only with true hard work and devotion is it possible to obtain Amrit (i.e. Moksha).

There are three major mythological stories related to the origin of Kumbh festival. The first story is related to Maharishi Durvasa, the second is related to Prajapati Kashyap's two wives Kadru and Vinata, and the third is related to Samudra Manthan. Although the first two stories are also important, the most famous story is of Samudra Manthan.

बहुरि राम जानकिहिं देखाई। जमुना कलिमल हरनि सोहाई।। पुनि देखी सुरसरी पुनीता। राम कहा प्रनाम करु सीता ।।

रामचरित मानस

First Story – Indra and Maharishi Durvasa

According to this story, once Maharishi Durvasa presented a divine garland to Devraj Indra. Indra placed it on the head of his elephant Airavat, but Airavat dropped it from his trunk and crushed it with his feet. Seeing this, Maharishi Durvasa got angry and cursed Indra, which ended his power to cause rain. Due to this, there was a famine in the whole world, due to which gods, demons and humans all suffered.

To overcome the crisis, Lord Vishnu suggested that the gods and demons should churn the ocean together, so that Lakshmi, wealth and nectar can be obtained.

The story of Samudra Manthan and Amrit Kalash

A total of 14 priceless gems came out of Samudra Manthan, including Halahal (poison), Amrit Kalash and Goddess Lakshmi. Lord Shiva drank the Halahal poison, which saved the entire creation from being destroyed.

When the Amrit Kalash was obtained, the gods played a trick to deprive the demons of nectar. They hid the Amrit Kalash in Nagaloka (the kingdom of snakes). Later, Garuda (a divine bird, who was the enemy of snakes) retrieved the Amrit Kalash from Nagaloka. Along the way he took the Amrit Kalash to Ksheera Sagar (sea of milk), drops of Amrit fell at those places. These places later became famous as the main sites of Kumbh Mela – Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik.

The second story – The dispute between Kadru and Vinata

Prajapati Kashyap had two wives – Kadru and Vinata. One day, they had a bet on whether the horses pulling the Surya Chariot were black or white. The loser had to become the maid of the winner.

Kadru wrapped her sons of the Naga dynasty around the bodies of the horses, which made them appear black. Vinata assumed the horses to be black and lost the bet, due to which she had to become the maid of Kadru

Kadru laid a condition that if someone brings Amrit Kalash (Amrit Ghat) from Nagaloka, then Vinata will be freed. This was the reason why Vinata's son Garuda took up the difficult task of bringing Amrit Kalash from Nagaloka.

हिमवद्विनध्ययोर्मध्यं यत्प्राग्विनशनादपि । प्रत्यगेव प्रयागाश्च मध्यदेशः प्रकीर्तितः ।।

मनुस्मृति

The story of Garuda and Amrit Kalash

Vinata told her son Garuda that if he gets the Amrit Kalash, then she will be freed from the bondage of becoming Kadru's maid. Garuda successfully completed this task and took the Amrit Kalash and headed towards the ashram of his father Prajapati Kashyap situated on the Gandhamadana mountain of the Himalayas.

Vasuki Naag told this to Indra. Indra attacked Garuda at four different places - Prayag, Haridwar, Nashik and Ujjain, where a few drops of Amrit fell. This is why these four places are considered to be the main sites of Kumbh Mela.

The story of Samudra Manthan and Amrit Kalash

According to this story, once the gods became weak due to the curse of Maharishi Durvasa. To regain their lost powers, they consulted Lord Brahma. Brahma suggested that they should churn the ocean with the help of the demons to obtain the Amrit.

The Devtas were physically weak, so they sought help from the demons and promised them a share in the Amrit.

The churning of the ocean began with Mount Mandarachal as the churning rod and Vasuki the serpent king as the rope. The gods held the tail of the serpent king, while the demons held his head. During the churning, many divine gems and powers emerged from the ocean, including –

• Airavat (white elephant)

• Uchchaihshrava (divine horse)

• Mother Lakshmi

• Moon

• Kaustubh Mani

• Apsaras

• Kalakuta poison (which Lord Shiva consumed)

• Kamadhenu (divine cow)

• Kalpavriksha (wish-fulfilling tree)

• Vishwakarma (divine craftsman)

Finally, Lord Dhanvantari appeared with the Amrit Kalash. On seeing it, both the gods and the demons rushed to grab it. During this struggle, the demons captured the Amrit Kalash.

Lord Vishnu took the form of Mohini and fascinated the demons and cleverly made the gods drink the Amrit. During this time, Indraputra Jayant started running away with the Amrit Kalash, and the fight between the gods and demons continued for 12 days (which is equal to 12 years of the earth). During this time, drops of nectar fell at Prayag, Haridwar, Nashik and Ujjain, making these four places sacred as Kumbh sites.

Story according to Garuda Purana

According to Garuda Purana, when the godsand demons were fighting for the Amrit Kalash, some part of the Amrit Kalash spilled and fell at four places – Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. Due to this, these places became famous as holy pilgrimages

Dates and duration of Kumbh festival

In which year and at which place the Kumbh festival will be organized, it is determined by the Panchang (Almanac).

• Haridwar – for about a month in Phalgun-Chaitra (March-April).

• Prayagraj – Bathing in the Triveni Sangam in Magh (January-February), especially on the day of Amavasya is considered extremely auspicious.

• Ujjain – On the banks of the Kshipra River in the month of Kartik (October-November).

• Nashik – On the banks of the Godavari River in the month of Shravan (July-August).

Ardh Kumbh and Purna Kumbh

• Ardh Kumbh is also organized between Purna Kumbh in Haridwar and Prayagraj.

• When Purna Kumbh takes place in Ujjain or Nashik, the same year Ardh Kumbh is celebrated in Haridwar or Prayagraj.

Importance of Bathing in Triveni Sangam – Bathing in the Triveni Sangam in the month of Magh (January-February) is considered extremely auspicious. This bath is considered to be the path to the destruction of sins and attainment of virtue

"त्रिवेण्या संगमे पुण्ये ललिता तत्र संस्थिता।
सिद्धिदात्री महामाया भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायिनी।।"

कल्पद्रुम तंत्र

It is clear from these three stories that Kumbh festival is associated with the attainment and protection of Amrit. Kumbh Mela is organized every 12 years at these four holy places of Amrit Prapti (Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik), where Amrit Snan is considered to be the path to salvation.

Kumbh Mela is not just a holy bath, it is a celebration of history, astronomy, religion, science and humanity. Kumbh Mela, though an event, is actually a great journey of union of soul and Brahma - an Amritotsav, which illuminates life with divinity.

Mythology of Kumbh

Kumbh festival is associated with the attainment and protection of Amrit.