Makar Sankranti – 14/15 Jan 2013
Pausha Purnima Snan – 27 Jan 2013
Ekadashi Snan – 6 Feb 2013
Vasant Panchami Snan – 15 Feb 2013
Ratha Saptamï Snan – 17 Feb 2013
Bheeshma Ekadashi Snan – 18Feb 2013
Maghi Purnima Snan – 25 Feb 2013
Mahashivaratri Snan – 10 Mar 2013
The Maha Kumbh Fair 2013 at Allahabad is scheduled to start on Makar Sankranti Day on 14 January 2013. It shall conclude on the Mahashivaratri Day on 10 March 2013. This fair takes place at Allahabad during a particular planetary configuration only, i.e. when Jupiter is transiting the zodiac sign Taurus, while both Sun and Moon are traversing Capricorn. Because of the 12 year cycle of Jupiter’s movement round the zodiac, this fair can take place at Allahabad, only once every twelve years. During the last 2001 Allahabad Kumbha Fair, an estimated 60 million (6 crores) had a holy dip in the Ganga, at the place where it meets the Yamuna. There is a distinct possibility that people’s participation during the forthcoming event shall far exceed the previous record.
Legend
The origin of the Kumbh is lost in antiquity, as it dates back to the time when Amrit Kalash (pot full of nectar of immortality) was recovered from Samudra Manthan (during the churning of the primordial sea), for which a fierce fight ensued among Devas and Asuras for the nectar. Before the gods could collect their wits together, the demons made away with the pot. However, the gods gave a hot chase. The result was a vicious battle, between the claimants. The fight raged on for 12 days and 12 nights (corresponding to 12 human years). During this fight in the skies for the possession of this pot, it is said that a few drops of the nectar splashed on the earth at four different places, viz. at Prayag (Allahabad), at Haridwar (Uttarakhand), at Nasik (Maharashtra), and in Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh). Since then, in accordance with the planetary configuration in the same position, pilgrims and devotees converge at any of these four cities chronologically every 12 years.
Ritual
During this mega event, Allahabad becomes the focus of devotion as many millions arrive in the city to take the ritual dip in the holy Ganga, so as to purify their body, mind, and soul by washing away their sins. During the Maha Kumbh Fair, the spotlight remains on the sadhus who arrive from scores of Hindu congregations.
Relevance
This fair is a unique celebration as a significant cross section of the Hindu population assembles at this religious event in a true egalitarian manner, devoid of all qualms of class, caste, creed, colour, race, or sex to join each other to offer a prayer to Mother Ganga for riddance from all sins. It is believed that taking a holy dip in the sacred waters during the specified planetary alignment opens the way for a communion with the divine.
Allahabad, one of the prominent sacred cities of India, is described with great reverence in ancient scriptures as Prayag or Teertharaj, i.e. ‘the holiest pilgrimage centre, as it happens to be the meeting point of Ganga and Yamuna with the mythical Saraswati, known as Triveni Sangam. This Sangam is the venue of various sacred fairs & rituals, and accordingly attracts large number of pilgrims throughout the year. With the irresistible attraction of Kumbh Fair, hailed as the world’s largest congregation of devotees, the glory of the city obviously touches the sky.
By Air :Best way to reach Allahabad, is to take a direct flight from Delhi to Allahabad.
Allahabad Airport (IXD) also called Bamrauli Field is basically a airforce base with a one-room passenger terminal and one commercial flight per day run by Air India (IC 7801). The flight departs Delhi and arrives in Allahabad after a brief stop in Kanpur. The plane then returns to Delhi. Baggage is hand delivered after arrival so wait in the terminal if you have checked luggage for it to be delivered. It is far easier to fly into Varanasi (120 km away) or Lucknow (200 km away) as both of these airports are much better serviced.
By train:There are many connecting trains from Delhi to Allahabad.
Allahabad is situated on the trunk train route from Delhi to Kolkata and from Mumbai to Kolkata, so it is well-connected by trains. Innumerable trains stop at Allahabad. The city has four railway stations, Daragang (near the confluence of the rivers Ganga and Yamuna), Prayag (near the University), Rambagh (city centre), and Allahabad Junction (the main station). In addition, another temporary railway station known as Prayag Ghat (to be distinguished from Prayag) is used during important religious festivals for the better management and control of extra pilgrim traffic on those occasions.
By Road:Allahabad is on NH2 and NH27 and is, therefore, well connected by road. Several buses ply to and from nearby cities and towns.
