Ujjain Kumbh Mela 2016 Dates

Ujjain Maha Kumbh Mela  2016

This festival will start on 22nd of April and will end on 21st of May 2016.

The Kumbh Mela is the most significant and eventful festival for Hindus, which is held every three years. The four important pilgrim centers which host it are Ujjain, Allahabad, Nashik and Haridwar. It is a pious and sacred festival for the Hindus in India.

Ujjain is situated near the river Shipra and it is considered as one of the most sacred places of India. During the Kumbh Mela, millions of devotees flock to Ujjain to take a holy dip and worship the river Shipra. The sadhus from all parts of India come to Ujjain to attend the Kumbh in order to attain liberation and salvation. Ujjain is also the place where Maharishi Sandipani had taught Lord Krishna, along with Sudama and Balarama.

When Guru(Jupiter) and the Sun are in the zodiac sign Scorpio(Vrishchik Rashi), it is celebrated at Ujjain. The Ujjain Kumbh Mela is referred to as the ‘Simhastha Kumbha Mela’. It is a totally different experience when devotees and sadhus come together and go ahead for the shahi snan – a dip in the sacred river Shipra, which is believed to get rid of all sins of a person. After taking a dip in river Shipra, all pilgrims visit the temple and bow before the Lord and they echo the name of the lord (Mahakalesvara). The next Simhastha Kumbha Mela will be held in Ujjain in 2016

The unique feature of the Simhastha Kumbha or the Simhastha Parva is the coming together of ten events, which are-

  1. The Purnima (Full moon day)
  2. The month of Baisakha
  3. The bright fortnight
  4. The brihaspati (Jupitor) in Leo
  5. The sun in the arise (Mesha Rasi)
  6. The vyatipata yoga
  7. The moon in the libra (Tula rasi)
  8. The holy Ksetra Avantika and
  9. The pious Monday

There is an ancient banyan tree in Ujjain – Siddhawat which is believed to possess exemplary spiritual powers and many devotees and sages worship it and meditate under it. The city has also been home to great rulers such as King Chandragupta II and legendary scholars including Bhaskaracharya, Brahmagupta and Kalidasa.

Temples of Ujjain

There are many temples in Ujjain. The famous ones are Mahakaleshwar, Bade Ganeshji Ka Mandir, Harsidhhi Temple, Kal Bhairav, Chintaman Ganesh, Mangalnath Temple, Godkalika, Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan Temple, Jain Temples, Prashanti Dham, Maa Waageshwari, Triveni, Gopal Mandir, Siddhhanath, Gebi Hanuman, Shiv Shakti and the Vikram Kirti Temple.

Climate of Ujjain

The climate in Ujjain is sub-tropical just as in North-Central India. It has a hot summer from March-May and rains start in June and continue till October. Winter season is from mid November. Winters are very cold with the minimum temperature going to as low as 3°C.

Reaching Ujjain

Ujjain is well-connected to all major cities in India.

  • Roadways – The state road transport service connects Ujjain to all major cities. Buses are available from Ahmedabad, Gwalior, Indore and Bhopal.
  • Railways – The Ujjain Junction Railway Station is one of the important rail stations of the Western Railways. There are direct trains from all major cities in India.
  • Airways –The nearest airport is the Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport, which is in Indore and it is 55 Kms from Ujjain. One can hire a taxi from there.

 

Kumbh Mela celebration depends on the position of the planets and stars

Where and when is Kumbh Mela Celebrated?

The Maha Kumbh festival is celebrated at different places depending on the position of the planets Bṛhaspati (Jupiter) and the Sun.
Following are the city wise positions of Brhaspati (Jupiter) and Sun.

Kumbh at Prayag or Allahabad
When Jupiter is in Aries circle and Sun and Moon are in Capricorn Kumbh mela is held at Prayag on the lunar conjunction day (अमावस्या)
Sanskrit verse:
मेष राशि गते जीवे मकरे चन्द्र भास्करौ ।
अमावस्या तदा योगः कुम्भख्यस्तीर्थ नायके ।।

When Jupiter is in Taurus (Vrishabha Rashi) and Sun is in Capricorn (Makar Rashi) during the month of Magha (January-February) then Kumbha Mela is celebrated at Prayag.
मकरे च दिवा नाथे ह्‍म‍जगें च बृहस्पतौ कुम्भ योगोभवेत्तत्र प्रयागे ह्‌यति दूलर्भ:

Kumbh at Haridwar

When Jupiter is in Aquarius and Sun is in Aries (Mesha Rashi) during the month of Chaitra (March-April) then Kumbha Mela is celebrated at Haridwar.
Sanskrit verse
पद्‍मिनी नायके मेषे कुम्भ राशि गते गुरोः ।
गंगा द्वारे भवेद योगः कुम्भ नामा तथोत्तमाः।।

Kumbh at Ujjain

When Jupiter (Guru) is in Leo and Sun is in Scorpio (Vrishchik Rashi) or when all three are in Libra during the month of Vaisakha (April-May) then Kumbha Mela is celebrated at Ujjain.

मेष राशि गते सूर्ये सिंह राशौ बृहस्पतौ ।
उज्जियन्यां भवेत कुम्भः सदामुक्‍ति प्रदायकः ।।

घरेसूरिः शशि सूर्य कुह्‍मं दामोदरे यदा।
धरायां च तदा कुम्भों जायते खलु मुक्‍तिद: ।।
अहं राष्‍ट्री संगमनी वसूनाम्‌श्‍

Kumbh at Nashik

When Jupiter (Guru) and Sun are in the zodiac sign Leo (Simha Rashi) during the month of Bhadrapada (August-September) then Kumbha Mela is celebrated at Trimbakeshwar, Nashik

सिंह राशि गते सूर्ये सिंह राशौ बृहस्पतौ ।
गोदावर्या भवेत कुम्भों जायते खलु मुक्‍तिदः ।।

कर्के गुरू स्तथा भानुचन्द्रश्‍चन्द्रर्क्षगतस्था ।
गोदावर्या तदा कुम्भो जयाते Sवनि मण्डले ।।

For more Information Please refer following Vedic scriptures.
Naradiya (Narada नारद पुराण ) Purana 2-66-44
Shiva Purana 1-12-22-23
Astrological analysis is available in Barah Purana 1-71-47-48
Brahma Purana about events of (Kumbh mela occurring every 12 years)

planets and kumbh mela

Haridwar Maha Kumbh Mela 2010

Last Kumbh Mela was celebrated at Haridwar in the year 2010

Recommended Kumbh Mela 2013 Accommodation in Allahabad

In Sanskrit ‘Athiti’ means guest and “Atithi devo bhavaḥ”  or अतिथि देवो भवः is a phrase equating guests to God. India is extremely rich in its culture and tradition which traces its roots back to the ancient Vedic stories. The guests in India are treated with extreme respect and are put at an elevated pedestal conforming to all their needs and luxuries. Stories in the Vedas like the one where Lord Vishnu visited his devotee’s house ratify the foundational nature of the tradition deeply engrained in Indian society. But unfortunately with the rise in commercialization and increasing separation from religion among the newer generations, this tradition is gradually dying out.  The Kumbh Mela is also subjected to commercialism where people are using religion affinities of people to make money and accommodation is a big part of it. Travel agents have turned the great religious spectacle into a business and charge exorbitant rates from the pilgrims for accommodation and other facilities.

 

Kumbh Mela Nashik

For 2015 Kumbh Mela Accommodation details Please contact us at  9403857399

The site recommends accommodation at  ISKCON or International Society for Krishna Consciousness’s.

The following table provides the details of the rates and facilities it offers.

 

The prices include accommodation as described and Prasadam (Food which offered to Lord Krishna).

 

Dates No of Days No Persons Swiss Cottage European Plan

13th to 15th Jan

3

6

Rs 11,000 (225$)

Rs 7,000 (145$)

26th to 28th Jan

3

6

Rs 11,000 (225$)

Rs 7,000 ((145$)

9th to 11th Feb

3

6

Rs 21,000 (425 $)

Rs 15,000 (300 $)

14th to 18th Feb

5

6

Rs 21,000 (425 $)

Rs 15,000 (300 $)

Swiss Cottage Tents will be available on dates other than those listed above for Rs.1,000 per day for six persons including Prasadam (Food).

Why we recommend ISKCON Accommodation during Kumbh Mela?

Based on our personal experience of staying in ISKCON temples we can ensure that you will get

  1. First class vegetarian food – Prasadam.
  2. Spiritual enlightenment by attending the functions at campsite.

There are many other religious groups having their own camps in Maha Kumbh festival and you can search for them as well to get inexpensive accommodation.

 

 

 

 

 

Early Preparation for Allahabad Kumbh Mela

Tourism Department facilitates skill development for the festival

UP Tourism, with the help of ‘Manyawar Kanshiram Institute of Tourism Management’ at Lucknow,  has started training service providers on etiquettes, hygiene and  first aid in preparation of this mega festival starting from 27-January-2013. With financial support from central government, the state tourism ministry has started two different sets of capacity building programmes to train the service providers through Service Providers (CBSP) and Hunar Se Rozgar Tak (HSRT) schemes.

Floating Post Offices at Kumbh Mela

The All India Post Service would be available right in the waters. The postal department of Allahabad plans to set up floating post offices at Maha Kumbh 2013 to facilitate the devotees and seers. The plan aims to help the pilgrims stay in touch with the other part of the world and send gifts to their friends and relatives.

Various postal services will be provided to the devotees at the festival site including money orders, speed posts, philately, saving accounts and insurance premiums.  “Every time during the Kumbh Mela, the Indian Post sets up temporary post offices to help postal transactions for the visitors who attend the event in huge numbers. But this time, in addition to the temporary post offices, there would be floating post offices as well,” said Sachin Kishore, director postal services, UP headquarters.

The department plans to provide boats which would take the letters directly from the devotees and later dispatch the same to their respective destinations, he added.

Kumbh Mela says NO to Plastic! Go Green!

To keep the Kumbh Mela site free from plastic litters, a team constituted by the Mela authorities is conducting a mass awareness campaign in different parts of the city.

Post warden, civil defence, Rajendra Tiwari said, “We are organising seminars where we are asking  people to prepare two cotton bags in every household which in turn would be distributed free of cost to pilgrims coming to the Kumbh Mela. Besides cotton bags, the civil defence volunteers would also hand over paper bags to visitors and tourists to keep the Mela area polythene-free.”

This time the festival authorities plan to make the Mela more Eco-friendly.

 November 30 deadline set for festival preparations

Divisional commissioner Divesh Chaturvedi has stated that all work and arrangements for Kumbh Mela must be completed by the concerned authorities by November 30. Additionally, all on-going work should be inspected at least once a week with consequent presentation of its physical report, he said. Chaturvedi instructed the authorities while reviewing the work related to Kumbh at Gandhi gallery.

 

Ways to Reach Allahabad Kumbh Mela

The last Kumbh Mela festival witnessed the attendance of 70 million devotees from across the world. This time the estimated participation for the festival is around 80 to 90 million. Visiting Allahabad during the mega festival is a tedious task as all the modes of transport including trains, local and state buses would be flocked with the people enthused to witness the spectacle. Even a reserved seat does not guarantee comfortable travel due to the massive influx of pilgrims in the city. The challenges and hindrances encountered to attend the festival make it all the more inviting and adventurous.

Mela Site  Allahabad

Allahabad kumbh mela site

Nearest metropolitan Cities

New Delhi is the nearest city. Distance between New Delhi – Allahabad is 643Km.

Distance between other metropolitan cities and Allahabad:

  1. Kolkata – 799km
  2. Mumbai  – 1444km
  3. Chennai – 1790km
  4. Bengaluru (Bangalore) -1652km
  5. Pune – 1323km
  6. Hyderabad   – 1086

 

Allahabad is well connected with various cities through Rail, Air and Road.

By Air:

Allahabad is connected by air through the Bamrauli Air Force Base, which is 12 Km from Allahabad. The airport serves domestic flights from all major cities with prominent airlines being Air India, Go Air, Indigo, SpiceJet, JetKonnect and Kingfisher. Most of these flights are via New Delhi.

By Road:

The National and State Highways connect Allahabad with all the major cities of the country. The NH2 runs right through the city while NH27 starts from Allahabad and ends at Mangawan in Madhya Pradesh. NH96 joins NH28 in Faizabad and connects the two major Hindu pilgrimage centres of the country – Allahabad and Ayodhya.  Allahabad caters to the public road transport demand through interstate bus services. Local transportation like tourist taxis, cabs, auto rickshaws, and local buses are also available for travel within various parts of Allahabad and also to some neighbouring cities.

By Rail:

Allahabad is well connected by rail as it is the Headquarter of North Central Railway. Majority of the Kumbh Mela pilgrims prefer trains as the mode of transport and hence during the festival the railways reach their optimum usage.

Following is the list of trains from Allahabad to other cities including 1AC, 2AC, 3AC and SL (non AC sleeper) classes for your convenience.

Trains For Allahabad:

It is well connected through Railways because is headquarter of north central railway. Most of devotees who visit kumbh mela uses this mode of transportation. It is life line of India. Indian railways will seen its optimum limit at the time of this grand festival when

Here is list of trains from Allahabad to other cities. Here 1A, 2A , 3A and SL(non AC sleeper ) are classes

Train at a glance at Allahabad

Days Stn. To Dep. Arr. Train No. Train Name Train No. Arr. Dep. Stn. To days
Sat Pune

7:48

7:20

11033

Dbg Pune Exp

11034

15:50

16:20

Darbhanga Thur
Sun Pune

1:02

0:30

11038

Gkp-Pune Exp

11037

15:50

16:20

Gorakhpur Fri
Tue C.Sahu T

0:30

1:02

11046

Dikshabhumi

11045

1:00

1:25

Danbad Sun
Tue,Wed,Fri,Sun LokmanyaTilak

17:10

16:40

11056

Godan Exp.

11055

9:40

10:15

Gorakhpur Mon,Tue,Thur,Sat
Mon,Thur,Sat LokmanyaTilak

17:10

16:40

11060

Godan Exp.

11059

9:40

10:15

Chapra Wed,Fri,Sun
Mon,Tue,Thur,Sat LokmanyaTilak

3:15

2:45

11062

Mfp-Ltt Exp.

11061

10:40

11:05

Muzaffarpur Tue,thur,Sat,Sun
Wed,Fri,Sun LokmanyaTilak

3:15

2:45

11066

Dbg-Ltt Exp.

11065

10:40

11:05

Darbhanga Mon,Wed,Fri
Thur,Sun LokmanyaTilak

21:08

20:35

11068

Saket Exp

11067

3:50

4:15

Rae Bareily Thur,Sun
Mon,Wed LokmanyaTilak

16:15

Starts

11070

Tulsi Exp.

11069

8:50

Ends Allahabad Mon,Wed
All LokmanyaTilak

19:45

19:20

11072

Kamayani

11071

15:30

16:05

Varanasi All
All Mumbai CST

15:10

14:40

11094

Mahanagri

11093

0:15

0:45

Varanasi All
Mon Jhansi

1:15

1:10

11105

pratham S.S.

11106

3:55

4:00

Kolkata Sat
All Gwalior

22:25

22:00

11108

Bundelkhand

11107

6:45

7:10

Varanasi All
All Pune

5:35

5:10

12150

Pune Patna

12149

21:05

21:35

Patna All
Tue,Fri,Sat LokmanyaTilak

23:32

23:00

12166

Ratnagiri Exp

12165

3:50

4:15

Varanasi Tue,Fri,Sat
Mon,Wed,Thur Gwalior

8:12

7:45

12175

Chambal Exp

12176

16:45

17:20

Howrah Tue,Thur,Sat
Sat Mathura

8:12

7:45

12177

Chambal Exp

12178

16:45

17:20

Howrah Mon
Fri New Delhi

3:44

3:42

12249

Yuva Exp

12250

23:08

23:10

Howrah sun
Tue,Thur,Sat New Delhi

22:40

Starts

12275

Duranto Exp

12276

6:20

Ends Allahabad Mon,Thur,Sat
All Bangalore

2:22

1:50

12296

Sanghmitra

12295

2:00

2:50

Patna All
expt.Mon New Delhi

2:45

2:42

12301

Rajdhani

12302

23:42

23:45

Howrah Expt. Fri
Mon,Tue,Fri,Sat New Delhi

22:10

21:05

12303

Poorva Exp

12304

2:05

2:10

Howrah Mon,Thur,Fri,Sun
Mon New Delhi

2:45

2:42

12305

Rajdhani

12306

23:42

23:45

Howrah Fri
All Bikaner

12:15

12:10

12307

Jodhpur Exp

12308

14:00

14:10

Howrah All
All New Delhi

0:28

0:25

12309

Rajdhani

12310

23:56

23:59

Patna All
All Kalka

9:30

9:20

12311

Kalka Mail

12312

17:20

17:30

Howrah All
Fri Udaipur

4:20

4:08

12315

Ananya Exp

12316

22:30

22:40

Sealdah Mon
All Mumbai CST

11:42

11:10

12321

Kolkata Mail

12322

20:25

20:58

Howrah All
Wed,Sat New Delhi

7:40

7:35

12323

Howrah-NDLS

12324

16:35

16:45

Howrah Thur,Sun
Tue New Delhi

4:20

4:08

12349

Bhagalpur Exp

12350

8:50

9:00

Bhagalpur Wed
Wed,Thur,Sun New Delhi

22:05

21:55

12381

Poorva Exp

12382

2:20

2:50

Howrah Tue,Wed,Sat
Thur Ajmer

1:15

1:10

12395

Ibadat/ziyarat

12396

16:35

16:45

Patna Fri
All New Delhi

20:10

20:00

12397

Mahabodhi

12398

22:40

22:48

Gaya All
All New Delhi

0:45

0:40

12401

Magadh Exp

12402

5:10

5:20

Islampur All
All Mathura

23:30

Starts

12403

Mathura Exp

12404

5:00

Ends Allahabad All
All New Delhi

21:30

Starts

12417

Prayagraj Exp

12418

6:45

Ends Allahabad All
expt.Sun New Delhi

2:55

2:52

12423

Rajdhani

12424

20:39

20:42

Dibrugarh Expt.Thur,Sun
All New Delhi

21:00

20:35

12427

Rewa Exp

12428

9:25

9:50

Rewa All
all Anand Vihar

11:55

11:50

12487

Seemanchal

12488

16:50

17:00

Jogbani All
Sat Bikaner

11:35

11:30

12496

Koa Exp

12495

22:30

22:40

Kolkata Thur
Wed,Thur,Sun New Delhi

4:20

4:08

12501

PurvotarSKranti

12502

8:50

9:00

Guahati Mon,Thur,Fri
All Anand Vihar

9:40

9:30

12505

North East Exp

12506

15:40

15:52

Guahati All
Sat Yaswantpur

1:40

1:15

12540

Yaswantpur Exp

12539

2:10

2:35

Lucknow Fri
All New Delhi

22:30

22:05

12559

Shivganga Exp

12560

3:35

4:00

Varanasi All
All New Delhi

3:50

3:25

12561

SwatantrtaSExp

12562

5:35

6:00

Darbhanga All
Wed LokmanyaTilak

7:00

6:30

12564

Ald-Ltt Exp

12563

11:40

12:05

Faizabad Tue
Tue, Sat Anand Vihar

0:55

0:52

12569

Garib Rath Exp

12570

0:17

0:20

Jaynagar Wed,Sun
Tue,Thur Chenai

4:40

4:10

12670

Ganga Kaveri

12669

3:50

4:15

Chapra Mon,Wed
All Secundrabad

20:48

20:20

12792

secundrabad Ex

12791

10:55

11:25

Patna All
all New Delhi

19:45

19:35

12801

Purushotam Ex

12802

7:25

7:35

Puri All
Tue,Thur,Fri,Sun New Delhi

7:40

7:35

12815

Puri-Ndls Exp

12816

15:10

15:20

Puri Mon,Wed,Thur,Sat
Mon,thur,Sat Anand Vihar

4:45

4:35

12817

Jharkhand Exp

12818

4:20

4:30

Hatia Tue,Fri,Sun
Tue,wed,Fri Anand Vihar

5:00

4:35

12873

Jharkhand Exp

12874

4:20

4:50

Hatia Wed,Thur,Sat
Tue, Sat New Delhi

3:44

3:42

12877

Garib Rath Exp

12878

23:08

23:10

Ranchi Wed,Sat
Tue Gandhidham

11:35

11-:30

12938

Garva Exp

12937

22:30

22:40

Howrah Sun
Fri Ahemdabad

5:35

5:30

12942

Ahemdabad Ex

12941

22:30

22:40

Asansol Wed
Thur,Sat Ahemdabad

5:35

5:30

12948

Azimabad Exp

12947

21:35

21:45

Patna Tue,Thur
All Ajmer

12:40

12:35

12987

Ajmer Exp

12988

2:28

2:43

Sealdah All
All Sriganganagar

5:15

5:05

13007

Toofan Exp

13008

22:05

22:15

Howrah All
All Delhi

15:30

15:20

13111

Lal Quila Exp

13112

10:45

10:58

Kolkata All
All LokmanyaTilak

8:25

7:58

13201

Mumbai Janta

13202

23:55

0:35

Patna All
All Anand Vihar

0:00

19:10

14005

Lichchavi Exp

14006

2:30

2:55

Sitamarhi All
All Delhi

19:25

19:15

14055

Bramhaputra

14056

8:25

8:35

Dibrugarh All
All Delhi

6:35

6:30

14083

Mahananda Ex

14084

17:55

18:05

AlipurDwar All
All Dehradun

17:45

Starts

14113

Link Exp

14114

8:10

Ends Allahabad All
Tue,Thur,Sun Haridwar

23:55

Starts

14115

Haridwar Exp

14116

7:45

Ends Allahabad Mon,Wed,Fri
All Meerut

17:45

Starts

14163

Sangam Exp

14164

8:10

Ends Allahabad All
All Lucknow

15:20

15:00

14209

Intercity Exp

14210

11:45

12:00

vindhyachal All
All Lucknow

6:00

Starts

14215

Ganga Gomati

14216

22:20

Ends Allahabad All
All Chandigarh

14:15

Starts

14217

Unchahar Exp

14218

11:20

Ends Allahabad All
Mon Rameshwaram

1:02

0:30

14260

Rameshwaram

14259

1:00

1:25

Varanasi Sat
All Bareilly

22:15

Starts

14307

Barelliy Exp

14308

5:30

Prayag all
Wed,Fri,Sun Bareilly

3:05

2:30

14369

Triveni Exp

14370

20:55

21:25

Singarauli Mon,Wed,Fri
All Saharanpur

17:40

Starts

14511

Nauchandi Exp

14512

9:55

Ends Allahabad All
All Kanpur

8:45

8:20

15004

Chaurichaura

15003

20:45

21:10

Gorakhpur All
All LokmanyaTilak

16:30

16:00

15018

Kashi Exp

15017

8:10

8:35

Gorakhpur All
All Durg

15:40

15:15

15159

Sarnath Exp

15160

12:15

12:55

Chapra All
Fri,Sun Bikaner

11:35

11:30

15632

Barmer Exp

15631

21:35

21:45

Guahati Mon,Wed
Wed Ernakulam

1:02

0:30

16360

Cochin Exp

16359

1:00

1:25

Patna Tue
All Jammutawi

9:05

8:40

18101

Muri Exp

18102

15:30

16:02

Tatanagar All
Fri,Sun Durg

22:55

22:10

18202

Durg Exp

18201

10:20

10:45

Gorakhpur Tue,Sat
Sat Durg

21:08

20:35

18206

Durg Exp

18205

10:20

10:50

Nautanawa Fri
Thur LokmanyaTilak

12:20

11:50

18609

Ranchi-Ltt Exp

18610

15:50

16:20

Ranchi Sun
Fri Ajmer

12:50

12:45

18631

Garib Nawaz Ex

18632

10:15

10:25

Ranchi Sun
Tue,Fri,Sun Indore

8:12

7:45

19306

Shipra Exp

19305

16:55

17:20

Howrah Wed,Fri,Sun
Sun Okha

1:25

0:40

19570

Okha Exp

19569

1:15

2:00

Varanasi Sat
Mon,Wed,Sat Khajuraho

22:25

22:00

21108

Khajurao Exp

21107

6:45

7:10

Varanasi Mon,Wed,Sat
Wed Pune

7:48

7:20

22132

Gyan Ganga Exp

22131

15:30

16:20

Maduadih Tue
wed, Fri, Sun Anand Vihar

0:55

0:52

22405

Garib Rath Exp

22406

0:17

0:20

Bhagalpur Tue,Thur,Sat
Mon Anand Vihar

1:25

1:20

22409

Sasaram Exp

22410

3:55

4:00

Sasaram Sun
Sun New Delhi

2:55

2:52

22423

Rajdhani

22424

20:39

20:42

Guwahati Thur
Mon,Tue,Thur,Sat Bareilly

3:05

2:30

24369

Triveni Exp

24370

20:55

21:55

ShaktiNagar Tue,thur,Sat,Sun
All Bareilly

3:05

2:30

84369

Triveni Exp

84370

20:55

21:55

Barwadih Jn All

WEBSITE www.indianrail.gov.in

 

 

Commercialization of Kumbh Mela

kumbh mela tv rights

The Kumbh Mela is witnessing massive commercialization with the decision of the Uttar Pradesh government to sell the festival’s TV rights to big corporates. The idea is believed to have sought inspiration from the IPL (Indian Premier League) matches which generate huge revenue for their organizers. This year in May, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Jawed Usmani sent a letter instructing the local administration to ‘generate revenue by auctioning advertising and telecast rights’ of the mega festival which would see participation of more than 70 million people.

The auctioning of the TV rights to a specific company will lead to the infringement of a pilgrim’s freedom and discretion to capture the divine moments in his or her camera. The attendee would have to pay a heavy charge to the company owning the media rights. This would certainly lead to disappointment and unrest among the participants who would want to capture the memories of the sacred festival. Additionally, the small local news channels would be debarred from telecasting the events of the Mela to its viewers. The decision is bound to impact the lives of the countless participants of the Kumbh Mela at an individual and spiritual level.

Kumbh Mela TV Rights

What is harm in monetizing the Kumbh festival?

The strongest argument against the commercialisation of Kumbh Mela is the fear that it would tarnish the sanctity of the festival.  Since Vedic times, people have regarded the festival activities as sacrosanct with God as its pivot.  The festival observes the participation of Saints who come from Himalayan caves and other remote parts of the country to bless all the devotees. Monetization of the festival would be seen as an act of disrespect to Vedic tradition and spirituality.

The contemporary government, in their race to hoard money by different kinds of taxation, have lost the faith of the citizens and commercialisation of the festival would bolster their antagonism in the political authorities.   Indian history should serve as an example for the current government to stop exploiting Indian culture and the beliefs of Indian to satisfy their vested interests. Various episodes in Indian history such that of King Harshavardana, who lavishly distributed all of his accumulated wealth to the needy and downtrodden such that he returned to his palace in clothes borrowed from his sister, should be looked upon to govern a country in the interest of the people. The story exemplifies the code of conduct of a good ruler which could be aped to safeguard the economic and religious interests of the citizens. Thus religious congregations and pilgrimages like Kumbh Mela should be kept out of the revenue generating compass of the government to preserve the sanctity of the event.

Protest by Saints

The saints from all over the country have come together to oppose the move of Uttar Pradesh  government to carry out  the new media rights policy enabling auction of exclusive broadcast rights. These saints are worthy of appreciation as they revolted the government’s decision which could have barred enthused shutterbugs from capturing a life time divine experience.

Indian Sadhus

Significance of Mauni Amavasya Snan (Sacred Bath)

Importance of Mauni Amavasya snan (bathing ) at kumbh mela

According to ancient religious scriptures, Mauni Amavasya is the day on which Manu rishi appears in this world millions of years ago. It is believed to be the day when the universe was created. On this day, the Sun and the Moon enters into the Capricorn sign. A vow of complete silence is observed on this day known as Maun Vrat. This vow is assumed to control our senses and engage them into the service of Supreme Lord Narayana. Practising austerities is believed to purify an individual’s existence and observing the vow of silence is apparently the simplest way to do so. The day holds extreme religious importance and taking bath on this day in the holy waters is deemed significant and auspicious.

Procedure of taking bath on Mauni amavasya in kumbh mela

On the pious day of Mauni Amavasya, a believer is expected to meditate and pray to Lord Vishnu. He is likely to pledge against all his mundane and material urges like lust, greed, anger and envy. He may donate articles like food, money and clothes to the needy saints then he can observe the vow of silence. All these procedures are ensued by the ceremonial bath in the waters of the confluence of holy rivers at Allahabad.

Date of Mauni Amavasya for kumbh mela 2013 is 10-Feb-2103

Mauni Amavasya

For Kumbh Mela 2015 bathing dates

The day observes the largest gathering of people in a single day as most of the pilgrims plan this day to visit Maha Kumbh because it is a believed that by bathing on this day a person can acquire good karma which thereby helps pursuing a fruitful and religious life.

It is thus highly recommended to the readers of this site to plan and visit the Maha Kumbh festival such that they can witness the grandeur of the highly revered day of Mauni Amavasya.

For further help and latest updates on the mega festival, visit  Kumbh mela FaceBook page

 

 

Accommodation Rate Comparison at Kumbh Mela in Allahabad

[box] Special Accommodation for Our Visitors. Get your Kumbh Mela accommodation  with spiritual organizations or with tour providers at cheaper rates. For details contact us.[/box]

 

Accommodation Rate Comparison at Kumbh Mela in Allahabad

This post compares the rates of different accommodation facilities for the Kumbh Mela 2013 available on the internet. In reality, only the government can provide accommodation on mela site during the Kumbh Mela and there is no outsourcing of the facilities. So the private agencies reserve accommodation through government agencies and charge their customers with higher rates for the same facilities.

Following is the list of websites found on internet that claim to provide residence during the Maha Kumbh Festival.

Note: These websites may not be associated with the UP Government which provides cottages and dormitories for staying during the festival. 

Official Website is UP Tourism

Rates from UP Tourism

Rahi llawart Tourist Bungalow

35 M.G. Marg, Allahabad

ph.: 0532-2407440, 2408374 Fax : 0532-2408461

E-mail : rahiilawart@up-tourism.com

Kumbh Fair tariff : (Effective from 01 January, 2013 to 10 March, 2013)

Types of Room Single Occupancy (INR) Double Occupancy (INR) Description
Ganga- Yamuna & Saraswati   7000.00 Cold Drink, Mineral Water, Break-fast-Complimentary for two persons
A.C. Deluxe 3300.00 3500.00 Cold Drink, Mineral Water, Bed Tea, Break- fast- Complimentary
A.C. Semi-Deluxe 2800.00 3000.00 Bed Tea-Complimentary
A.C. Economic 2300.00 2500.00  
4 Bed   2500.00  
Dormitory 500.00 Per Bed  

Image of tents

kumbh mela accommodation

Rahi Triveni Darshan,Yamuna Bank Road, Kydganj, AllahabadPh.:0532-2558646E-mail : rahitrivenialahabad@up-tourism.com Kumbh Fair tariff : (Effective from 01 January, 2013 to 10 March, 2013)
Types of Room Single Occupancy Double Occupancy
A.C.Room Rs. 2000/- Rs. 2200/-
Non A.C. Room Rs. 1200/- Rs. 1400/-
Dormitory Rs. 250/- Per Bed  

Tariff of Tent colony at Kumbh Fair : (Effective from 01 January, 2013 to 10 March, 2013)

Swiss Cottage (Double Occupancy, A.P.Plan) Rs. 6000.00 per day
Dormitory Cottage Rs. 500.00 per bed- per day.

RULES FOR BOOKING / CANCELLATION AND REFUND

  • For reservation 100% advance will be required.
  • All applicable Taxes will be charged extra.
  • For Swiss Cottage no refund..

For Rooms:-

15 Days or more : 90% refundable
10 to 14 Days : 75% refundable
3 to 9 Days : 50% refundable
Less than 3 Days : No refundable

List of other websites claiming to provide accommodation at Kumbh Mela:

  1.  www.kumbhamela.net: This is one of the oldest  websites on Kumbh Mela. It may be recognized by Department of Tourism. The site does not mention any rates for cottages or tents one can register through the “Contact our Tour Planner” link and can get the actual details required.
  2.  www.kumbhmela.net:  This site is identical in name with the first one and provides information on the various types of accommodations available during the Kumbh Mela including the Swiss tents, star rated hotels and dorms. There is not much information on the accommodation prices.
  3. www.kumbhmela.co.in: This is a well-organized website that has a detailed list of type of accommodations and their respective prices. The prices mentioned will be enlisted at the end of the post.
  4. www.mahakumbhyatra.com: This is a newly launched website as compared to the others and provides a platform for easy navigation and access to rates and type of accommodation during the festival.
  5. www.kumbhmelapackages.com: This website is found in the Google Sponsored Ads links. It provides different types of  Kumbh Mela packages ranging from 10,000Rs (200$) to 20,000Rs (400$). 

 

For More Information Visit  Kumbh Mela 2013 Accommodation in Allahabad