Kumbh Mela: One of Hinduism's biggest events, the Kumbh mela occurs once in every 12 years. It draws a record congregation of sadhus, devotees and tourists from all over the world and is an amazing display of the power of faith and spirituality. The last Kumbh mela held in the year 2003 was attended by nearly 70 million people.
The legend of the Kumbh is that thousands of years ago, the gods and the demons agreed to churn the ocean for a pot of amrit (nectar of immortality) that lay buried among its many treasures. When the pot was recovered, the gods and the demons grabbed at it and in that tussle, a few drops of nectar fell to the ground. The amrita fell at four places - Ujjain, Nashik, Prayag and Haridwar. Every 12 years, the Kumbh mela attracts millions of people at these places.
Ardha kumbh: It occurs once in every six years and is attended by millions of people. People come for a dip in the holy Ganga and believe that this will help wash away the sins of their past lives. The festival is based on the same legend as the Kumbha mela that occurs once in every 12 years.
Events of tourist interest
Maha kumbh: This year The Maha Kumbh Mela will happen on the bank of River Ganga. Millions of people will gather from different places for this auspicious occassion.
Har-ki-pauri
This is a ghat or an embankment on the banks of the river Ganga. Legend has it that King Vikramaditya built this in memory of his brother Bhatrihari. Also known as Bramhakund, this is the place where drops of amrit (nectar of immortality) fell during the churning of the ocean. A regular haunt of locals and tourists, Har ki Pauri is so named because it is believed that it bears the imprint of lord Vishnu, one of the gods of the Indian holy trinity. Every evening, an aarti ( a prayer service that involves lighting of lamps accompanied by devotional songs) is conducted on the ghat which transforms the place into a sea of twinkling lights.
Devi temple: Dedicated to the goddess Mansa who has the power to grant wishes, the temple is at the top of a hillock called Bilwa Parwat. The goddess is said to be one of the forms of Durga, a major goddess in the Hindu pantheon. To reach the temple, one has to climb a hill (a distance of approx 1.5 km) or take a cable car that takes less than five minutes to traverse the distance.
Saptarshi ashram: This is the point where the river Ganga is seen to flow out in seven streams. According to folk lore the streams signify the seven sages who once lived here and prayed for the good of all humanity.
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