Significance of Kumbh Mela

Kumbh Mela is not just a mere festivity like Diwali and Holi, but holds lot of importance for people in India. People look up to Kumbh Mela with highest regard, as this event gives them a golden opportunity to liberate themselves from the miseries and sufferings of life. It enables them to take a holy dip in the sacred water and wash away all the sins they have committed in the past. People come from different parts of the country to be a part of this sacred ceremony.

It is believed that taking a holy dip in water paves way for attainment of Moksha. However, it is of paramount importance that the person who is performing the rituals has complete faith and trust in the power of divinity. Mentions have been made about the Kumbha Mela in the Brahma Purana and Vishnu Purana, which clearly state that a person who performs the bathing ceremony during the month of Magh at Prayag (Allahabad) derives manifold benefits, which surpasses the reward obtained by performing numerous Ashvamedha rituals.

Rig Veda has a mention about the significance of convergence of river Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati at Prayag or Sangam. References can be found about the significance of this ritual in Varaha Purana and Matsya Purana as well. There is a belief that the ashram of the learned Bharadvaja, where Lord Ram, Laxman and Sita lived at the time of their exile, was situated at Sangam. It is said that a number of saints including the great Shankaracharya and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visited Sangam and observed the Kumbh Mela. The great Indian epics such the Ramayana and Mahabharata have mentioned that a yagna was conducted by Lord Brahma at Sangam.