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Maha Kumbh Mela - 2010 at Haridwar
1 day stay at Dehradun
2 days stay at Mussourie
4 days stay at Auli covering Chamoli & Josimath
2 days stay at Rishikesh
2 days stay at Dhanaulti
2 Nights stay at Jim Corbett National Park
2 Nights stay at Doodhwa National Park
2 Days stay at Delhi
Book a Hotel at the above places
The story of Samudra Manthan
Once Indra, the King of Devatas, while riding on an elephant came across a sage named Durvasa who offered him a special garland. Indra accepted the garland but put in on the trunk of the elephant. The elephant was irritated by the smell and it threw the garland on the floor. This enraged the sage as the garland was a dwelling of Sri (fortune) and was to be treated as prasada. Durvasa Muni cursed Indra and all devas to be bereft of all strength, energy, and fortune.
In battles that followed this incident, Devas were defeated and Asuras (demons) led by king Bali, gained control of the universe. Devas sought help from Lord Vishnu who advised them to treat asuras in a diplomatic manner. Devas formed an alliance with asuras to jointly churn the ocean for the nectar of immortality and to share it among them. However, Lord Vishnu told Devas that he would arrange that they alone obtain the nectar.
Churning the Milky Ocean
The churning of the Ocean of Milk was an elaborate process. Mount Mandaranchal was used as the dasher (churning tool), and Vasuki, the king of serpents, became the churning rope. The gods held the tail of the snake, while the demons (Asuras) held its head, and they pulled on it alternately causing the mountain to rotate, which in turn churned the ocean. However, once the mountain was placed on the ocean, it began to sink. Vishnu in his second incarnation, in the form of a turtle Kurma, came to their rescue and supported the mountain on his back.
Note that the Mahabharata version of the story differs in many respects from the one in the various Puranas such as Bhagawat, Brahma-vaivarta, and Agni. For example, in Mahabharata, it was not Vishnu who took the Kurma avatara, but the Akupara, the king of tortoises, who did it on request from Devas and Asuras.
Halahal (Also called 'kalakuta')
During the Samudra Mathan by the gods and demons, a pot of poison, Halahala, also came out of the ocean. This terrified the gods and demons because the poison was so toxic that it might have destroyed all of creation. On the advice of Vishnu, gods approached Shiva for help and protection. Out of compassion for living beings, Shiva drank the poison. It was so potent that it changed the color of Shiva's neck to blue. For this reason, he is also called Neelakantha (the blue-necked one, nila = "blue", kantha = "throat").
Ratnas
All kinds of herbs were cast into the ocean and fourteen Ratnas (gems or treasures) were produced from the ocean and were divided between asuras and gods. These were
This list varies from Purana to Purana and is also slightly different in the epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharata
The nectar of immortality
Finally, Dhanvantari, the heavenly physician, emerged with a pot containing amrita, the heavenly nectar of immortality. Fierce fighting ensued between devas and asuras for the nectar. To protect the nectar from asuras, devas hid the pot of nectar at four places on the earth - Prayag (Allahabad), Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik. At each of these places, a drop of the nectar spilled from the pot and it is believed that these places acquired mystical power. A Kumbh Mela is celebrated at the four places every twelve years for this reason.
However, the Asuras eventually got hold of the nectar and started celebrating. Frightened, devas (demigods) appealed to Vishnu, who then took the form of Mohini. As a beautiful and enchanting damsel, Mohini distracted the asuras, took the amrita, and distributed it among the Adityas, who drank it. One asura, Rahu, disguised himself as a deva and drank some nectar. Due to their luminous nature, the sun god Surya and the moon god Chandra noticed the switching of sides. They informed Mohini. But before the nectar could pass his throat,Mohini cut off his head with her divine discus, the Sudarshana Chakra. The head, due to its contact with the amrita, remained immortal. To gain revenge on the sun and moon for exposing this, the immortal head occasionally swallows the sun or the moon, causing eclipses. Then, the sun or moon passes through the opening at the neck, ending the eclipse. The story ends with the rejuvenated Adityas defeating the asuras.
It occurs four times every twelve years and rotates among four locations: Allahabad (Prayag) at the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna and mythical Saraswati river, Haridwar along Ganga river, Ujjain along the Kshipra river and Nashik along the Godavari river, so a Kumbh Mela is practically held every three years across the four locations.
Maha Kumbh Mela - Occurring every 144 years - only in Allahabad
Purna Kumbh Mela - After every Twelve years - last one took place in January 2001 in Allahabad
Ardh Kumbh - 6th year after Kumbh Mela
Kumbh Mela - Every 12 years, at each place : Prayag, Nasik, Haridwar and Ujjain
Kumbh Mela Rituals
Prayag is the point where the three holy rivers Yamuna, Ganga and Saraswati meet, which is more often referred to as Triveni Sangam. This is the spot where Kumbh mela is conducted. Devotees congregate here and perform several rites and rituals. A number of ceremonies are performed, out of which the most important is the bathing ceremony that takes place on the banks of the rivers in each town. To know more about the customs and traditions practiced during the Kumbh Mela, read further… Various activities take place during Kumbh Mela such as discussions on religious issues, singing in the praise of God, offering of food to all those attending the Kumbh Mela and many more. Kumbh Mela gives a platform to come across the holy men, who have dedicated their lives in the worship and devotion of God. There are various saints, sadhus and yogis, who are engaged in penance. They come out of their Himalayan caves only during the occasion of Maha Kumbh Mela, which is held only once in twelve years to bestow their blessings on people. It is more popularly known as the blissful darshan.
Kumbh mela is often known to be a point, where you come across people whom you had lost long back. The guru of the well known saint Paramahansa Yogananda met his guru Mahavatar Babaji at Kumbh Mela. The holy processions that take place during the Kumbh Mela give the common man an opportunity to catch the glimpse of holy saints passing by on traditional modes of transport such as the chariot, elephants, horses, camels and palanquins. Their charisma and magnetism is very influencing. The holy men transmit spiritual vibrations to people and this whole experience makes the event absolutely awe inspiring.
This is the program of the Kumbh, Purnima meaning ‘full moon’ and Amavasya meaning ‘new moon’:
Snan Schdule at HARIDWAR 2010
14 January 2010 (thursday) - Makar Sankranti Snan - First Snan (bath)
15 January 2010 (friday) - Mauni Amavasya and Surya Grahan (Solar Eclipse) - Second Snan
20 January 2010 (wednesday) - Basant Panchmi Snan - Third Snan
30 January 2010 (saturday) - Magh Purnima Snan - Fourth Snan
12 February 2010 (friday) - Maha Shivratri - Pratham Shahi Snan - First Royal Bath
15 March 2010 (monday)- Somvati Amavasya - Dvitya Shahi Snan - Second Royal Bath
24 March 2010 (wednesday)- Ram Navmi - Fifth Snan
30 March 2010 (tuesday) - Chaitra purnima Snan
14 April 2010 (wednesday) - Baisakhi - Pramukh Shahi Snan.
28 April 2010 (wednesday) - Shakh Purnima – Snan
Upcoming Kumbh Mela
Haridwar (the gateway to God) will host the Kumbha mela in the year 2010 (Jan-April)
Allahabad (Prayag) Maha Kumbh Mela 2013 (January 27th to February 25th)
The Maha Kumbha Mela will again be held at Allahabad (Prayag) in the year 2013.
Nasik Maha Kumbh Mela 2015 (August 15th to September 13th)
Nasik will host the Maha Kumbha Mela in 2015
Ujjan Maha Kumbh Mela 2016 ( April 22nd to may 21st)
HOTEL CITY VIEW
At Upper Road, Opp. Rishi Ganga Takies
(Amount in Rs.)
| Room Particulars | Non A/C |
A/c |
| Five Bedded Rooms | 1500 |
2000 |
| Four Bedded Rooms | 1400 |
1800 |
| Three Bedded Rooms | 1200 |
1500 |
| Two Bedded Rooms | 1000 |
1500 |
HOTEL Sunshine
At Moti Bazar, near Har Ki Paudi
(Amount in Rs.)
| Room Particulars | Non A/C |
A/c |
| Three Bedded Rooms | 1200 |
1800 |
| Two Bedded Rooms | 1000 |
1500 |
HOTEL Vikrant
Vishnu Ghat
(Amount in Rs.)
| Room Particulars | Non A/C |
| Four Bedded Rooms | 1100 |
| Two Bedded Rooms | 700 |
HOTEL NEELESHWAR
Sharvan nath Nagar
(Amount in Rs.)
| Room Particulars | Tariffs other than Kumbh |
Tariffs during Kumbhmela Shahi Snan |
| Single Bed Rooms | 450 |
700 |
| Two Bedded Rooms | 750 |
1400 |
| Three Bedded Rooms | 850 |
1600 |
| Four Bedded Rooms | 950 |
1800 |
HOTEL Garwal Yatri Niwas
Sharvan nath Nagar
(Amount in Rs.)
| Room Particulars | Tariffs other than Kumbh |
Tariffs during Kumbhmela Shahi Snan |
| Two Bedded Rooms | 700 |
1500 |
| Four Bedded Rooms | 950 |
1800 |
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