Haridwar Kumbh Mela

    Kumbh mela is one of the greatest and the most important of the Indian fairs takes place once in every three years, at one of the four places: Nasik, Ujjain, Prayag and Haridwar. Hindus from all over the country come in millions for a holy dip in the river Ganges.  It is believed that the water of the river Ganges acquires the healing effects during the day’s ok Kumbh mela and can cure many ailments. It is also believed that taking a dip in the river Ganges during kumbh mela has the power of washing away all the sins and one can become free from the cycle of birth and re birth.

    Haridwar kumbh mela has a mythological value. When gods and demons were churning the ocean of milk (kshirasagara madhanam), a pot of nectar (amrutham) was evolved. To hide it from the demons, gods hide the pots of nectar in four different places and one drop falls on the ground, where kumbhamela is conducted.
    More than 15 million people take part in Kumbh mela. Sadhus of every sect, pilgrims in search of salvation, fakirs and teachers descend in huge hordes to these holy places, in an unprecedented exhibition of religious and commercial fervor. Originally the fair also served the purpose of having a meeting place and for theological debate among the religious heads of various sects of Hindu religion, called “Shastrartha”.

 People like scantily dressed fakirs from the Himalayas, yogis who sit on beds of nails can be seen here. Kumba mela is the most important fair in India.