Every
Hindu festival and ritual has a story behind it. They are celebrated
with zeal and enthusiasm, along with having a strong scientific,
historical and thoughtful basis attached with it. All these
attributes combine and create a reason to celebrate a festival or
perform a ritual. These customs are made to lead an individual on a
spiritual path where they can experience complete psychological
balance, rejuvenation and relaxation.
The
dates of the Maha
Kumbha
are determined in accordance with such scientific methods which
majorly include the planetary positions. When the planet Brihaspati
(Jupiter) enters the astrological sign Vrishabha (Taurus), it
coincides with the Surya (Sun) and Chandra (Moon) being in Makara
(Capricorn), these changes affect the water and air which results in
a totally positive atmosphere at the holy city of Prayag (Allahabad).
By simply being present at that divine place, and taking a holy dip
in the Ganges can enlighten a soul spiritually, making their life
physically and emotionally stress-free.
Different
planets take different amount of time to complete one revolution
around the sun. Jupiter completes this revolution in around eleven
years and ten months (approximately twelve years), that indicates the
fact that in every twelve years the Jupiter moves into the same
position. This decides the occurrence of Purna (Full) Kumbha Mela
which is held once in every twelve years. The position of Sun, Moon
and the planet Jupiter in different astrological signs determine the
site at which Kumbh will be held.
The
Kumbh Mela is held in Haridwar when the Sun enters the Aries and the
Jupiter enters the Aquarius. According to another series of
astrological calculation, the event of entrance of Jupiter in Aries
circle and Sun & Moon in Capricorn, the festival takes place at
Prayag (Allahabad) on the day of Amavasya (Lunar Conjunction). Just
like, Prayag there are astrological options available for the sacred
city of Nasik and Ujjain too. When the Jupiter enters in Leo and also
when Jupiter, Sun and the Moon enter in Cancer on Amavasya day, the
Kumbh festivals held on the banks on river Godavari in Nasik. Ujjain
is one of the most ancient and holy places on earth and the Kumbh
Mela occurs here on the banks of river
Kshipra
when the Sun is in the zodiac sign Aries and Jupiter is in the Leo.
“Leo” means Simha or the Lion in Sanskrit, the Ujjain Kumbh Mela
is often called as Simhastha Kumbh.
Also,
when the Jupiter enters the Libra and the Sun and the Moon stay
together on Kartik Amavasya (8th month of the year according to Hindu
calendar) the holy Moksha Dayak ( free from all the bonds) Kumbh Mela
is held in Ujjain. This spectacular celebration of faith initiates
from Haridwar in the interval of every three years, following which
the mela is celebrated in Prayag (Allahabad), Nasik and Ujjain. After
three years of Kumbh Mela at Haridwar, the festival is celebrated at
Prayag and there is gap of three years between the occurrence of
Kumbh at Prayag and Nasik. The fact that has to be noted is that the
Maha
Kumbh Mela
at Nasik and Ujjain can be celebrated within the same year.
To
sum it up, it is the position of different planet that have effect on
the water an air of our planet earth. At certain planetary positions,
the positive energy levels of that particular place during a
particular time, increases to its peak, thereby providing a perfect
atmosphere for the spiritual growth and enlightenment.
Ujjain
Yoga Life Society – Yogalife

