Haridwar Kumbh Mela 2021:
Kumbh Mela Haridwar 2021 is the Purna Kumbh Mela held after every 12 years. But due to some specific auspicious dates falling in 2021, it was decided to shift the holy festival dates by 1 year, to year 2021 in place of year 2022.
Why Kumbh Mela is celebrated?
According to Hindu mythology, after Samudra manthan by Gods and Asuras (Demons), they got Amrit (Nector of immortality). This Amrit was stored in a Kumbh (pitcher). Then a fight started between both groups over the possession of the Kumbh (pitcher) containing Amrit. During this fight some drops of Amrit spilled over at four places on earth namely Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. Commemorating this mythical event the Kumbh Mela is held four times every twelve years at these four places.
Hindu pilgrims come to these same four places at the banks of rivers in Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik, where they take a holy dip in the river and offer prayers to the God.
The last Kumbh Mela in Haridwar was celebrated from Makar Sankranti i.e. 14 January 2010 to Shakh Purnima Snan, 28 April 2010, about 4 months. In the last Kumbh Mela in Haridwar, about 70 lakh people (7 million) had taken the holy dip in the river Ganga.
