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We all know that Kumbh Mela is a Hindu festival celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion. It is held four times over 12 years rotation-wise at four river-bank pilgrimage sites. These sacred sites are Haridwar on the Ganges, Ujjain on the Shipra, Nashik on the Godavari, and Prayag at Triveni Sangam. The date of celebrating this religious event is determined according to the Vikram Samvat calendar. Accordingly, the grand Mela will begin on 14th January 2021 in Haridwar. Millions of devotees are expected to arrive to commemorate the mega festival by taking a holy dip in the Ganges. Before we discuss this upcoming event, let us know the significance and a brief history of Kumbha.
Kumbha Mela is derived from two words, i.e., 'Kumbha' and 'Mela'. Kumbha means a pot and Mela means a fair. According to ancient Hindu mythology, Kumbha associates with the story of the Samudra Manthan wherein Devtas and the demons fought for the immortal pot of nectar. They struggled with each other for 12 divine days (12 years for humans). Eventually, Lord Vishnu in favour of the devtas released drops of Kumbh at four places- Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. It is believed that the immortality nectar drops gave mystical powers to these four places. Following this traditional belief, devotees including the sadhus, sadhvis, ascetics, and pilgrims from across the world take part in this Kumbha Mela.
The evidence of the fair is also found in Bhagavad Purana, Vishnu Purana, Mahabharata and Ramayana. Worshippers believe that during this period the rivers turn into Amrit and so, they bathe to get rid of their past sins. In the essence of purity and immortality, they feel that the rituals will lead them to moksha, or liberation from the cycle of birth and death. So, they line up before sunrise and proceed into the water throughout the day during Kumbha. Even the ascetics (sadhus) who lead lives of isolation come together to celebrate the festival in pursuit of enlightenment.
Kumbh Mela is a momentous occasion, marked by numerous rituals, traditions, ceremonies, and holy deeds. It is one of the largest fair held in India that is of five types.
Besides taking a dip in the holy river, the Mela includes gathering of masses, religious discussions, hymns chanting, and devotional singing. Saints preach religious knowledge and scriptures while others seek their blessings. Many Naga sadhus participating in Shahi snan is one of the main highlights of the religious gathering of the Mela. Some folk and cultural events are also added in the Mela to provide visitors with a glimpse into Indian art and rich culture.
Devotees believe that a dip in the Ganga during Kumbha will free them from their sins and help in achieving moksha (salvation). If you are waiting for the next Kumbha fair, consider the following bathing dates and plan your trip accordingly.
Millions of devotees from across the world are expected to gather during the upcoming Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. The last fair in Haridwar occurred in April 2021 and it witnessed a crowd of about 70 lakh pilgrims. Though it was supposed to be held again after 12 years, Kumbh Mela is preponed due to specific auspicious dates. This time, the fair will commence on 14th January 2025 and continue till 26th May 2025.
No one can deny the profound impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the tourism industry. The social distance agenda and lockdown situations have given the tourism sector a major jolt. Though the dates of Kumbh Mela 2021 are most likely compatible with the revival of the sector, the crowd could be less this time. Haridwar has over 800 hotels and 350 ashrams that can accommodate an average 1.25 lakh pilgrims on any given day during the event.
The Uttarakhand tourism sector was earlier expecting around 10 crore pilgrims, but considering the current scenario, things seem different. Still, the preparation for the Mela hasn't stopped. Hundreds of labourers are working to improve the infrastructure, adorn the ghats of Har Ki Pauri, and give the area a facelift. Some construction projects were halted due to the lockdown but now they are resumed. Eventually, the visitors to Haridwar Kumbh 2021 will experience the clean, pure, and pious status of the River Ganga in Uttarakhand.
The Haridwar administration along with several prominent tourist companies are preparing well for the mega event. They are working round the clock to meet the corona challenge to ensure everything goes safe and pleasant. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the government has come up with a new set of rules for the devotees. According to the plan, any person who wants to take a holy dip in the holy Ganga during the festival should get tested for Covid-19 infection. If you intend to take part in the Kumbha,
you have to register on the state portal which is specially launched for the occasion. The officials will also carry out antigen tests at key entry points during the grand event. No one will be allowed to enter the Ganga ghats if they don’t have a report asserting that they are corona negative. Meanwhile, volunteers are also asked to distribute masks and sanitizers. Eventually, the Haridwar Kumbh Mela is the first religious event of 2021 that will go as per rules and regulations despite the corona scare.
For the sake of better management and safety concerns, the Uttarakhand government has asked other states to give a helping hand in the mega event. Following the plans, a 156-sq km ‘mela area’ has been demarcated in three districts Haridwar, Dehradun, and Pauri Garhwal. The division is not only meant to deliver better services but also aims to uplift the business of people associated with hospitality and tourism.
At present, Uttarakhand has listed more than 71,000 Covid-19 cases and over 1,100 deaths. To facilitate safety and health care a 1,000-bed Covid-19 hospital and a 150-bed non-Covid facility is set up in Haridwar. Some border post hospitals are also available for medical services at bus stands and border areas.
Amid the spread of novel coronavirus, Kumbh Mela is set to take place systematically with utmost care. Devotees have to make online bookings to go to the ghats for holy baths. Each registered pilgrim will get a certain amount of time to visit the ghats and 15 minutes only for the holy dip. The Kumbh Mela area and 107 ghats are marked as red, green and yellow zones, according to vulnerability.
Technical GIS mapping of the entire area is done to avoid any crowding niche during the religious congregation. If there is a rush at a particular site, the control room will receive an alert and so, immediate action will be taken. In this way, the crowd capacity of each ghat is assessed and strategic planning is made. The government has also taken vital steps to complete the construction of roads and bridges in the city. They also aim to beautify the ghats, especially the Har-Ki-Pauri and upgrade the police barracks by 31st December. Deluxe Tents, makeshift toilets, and kitchenettes are also set up for the people arriving in the city.
Haridwar is one of the most popular Hindu pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand, North India. Har ki Pauri Ghat and evening Ganga Aarti are popular attractions during the Kumbha Mela. Besides the Ganga ghats, other places of religious interests include Chandi Devi Temple, Mansa Devi Temple, and Maya Devi Temple. Whether you visit the city for Kumbha or any other purpose round the year, there are three ways to reach the destination.
Haridwar is a beautiful city well connected by roads to all major cities and towns. When it comes to travel by bus, you can reach Haridwar from Delhi, Haryana, UP, Punjab, and other parts of Uttarakhand. Whether you come from Chandigarh, Delhi, Dehradun, or Nainital, the city provides a good network of roads. Numerous state transport and private buses deliver services frequently at economical prices. You can board these buses as per your traveling route and suitable timings. For the convenience of devotees, bus ticket online services are also available.
Haridwar has a railway station that connects the holy place with cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Patna, Varanasi, Bhubaneswar, Puri, and more. People in India commonly prefer visiting the pilgrimage town through express trains. It not only offers a convenient journey but also costs less. Besides superfast trains, several regular trains are also available for tourists. You can book your seats in any class of the train as per your choice and budget to reach Haridwar safely and comfortably.
Though Haridwar doesn't have an airport, you can reach the city via Dehradun. Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun serves as the nearest airport for visitors who come from far-off places. Pilgrims can book their flights online and reach their destination no matter how far they live. Don't forget to check flight coupons to avail of discounts on your ticket bookings. Once you reach Dehradun, you will find local vehicles outside the airport that will help you reach Haridwar easily.
Due to a busy lifestyle, no one would like to waste time negotiating with travel prices. Today, the online platform offers a common solution for hotels, flights, buses, or any other traveling needs. Through leading travel portals, you can not only book bus tickets online but also avail amazing discounts. For instance, if you are willing to travel to Haridwar by bus, you can check for Redbus offers.
The online travel company will ensure you enjoy a comfortable journey at the best price. Likewise, the travel portals provide the latest coupons, codes, and exciting deals which you can use to save more money. Coupons, like Make my trip coupons, Oyo coupons, or flight coupons, are easily accessible and simple to redeem. You just have to copy the discount coupon in one click and apply it to your booking at the respective portal. When the coupon code is used successfully, the discount amount will be deducted from the total.
Whether you are looking for hotel booking, cab booking, flight ticket booking, or rental car booking to reach the Kumbha, you can avail amazing travel discounts. Make sure you compare prices, routes, and timings from different travel portal to find the best option for your journey. You may find a comprehensive list of the latest discount coupons at one place. Here, you have to spare a few minutes to explore the latest and trending coupons for the best deal. Select the ones you need and copy the coupon code to redeem it. You will get directed to the merchant site wherein you have to paste the code. On applying the code on the checkout page, your total will get updated. Pay your final bills and complete the checkout process. The process of redeeming Make my trip coupons and Oyo coupons is the same.
Have a safe journey!
The Kumbh Mela of India is the much-awaited occasion to be held in Haridwar this time. No doubt, the Mela holds a great religious significance for Hindus and other spiritual seekers. The dates of the grand event are calculated according to Jupiter, the Sun and the Moon's zodiac positions. This fair is the world's largest gathering in which people harmoniously participate and take bathe in the sacred river. From spanning airlines to medical and eco-tourism, the fair is also a great source to create jobs and earn huge profits. So, various companies associated with the fair provide the best online deals on the eve of the Kumbh festival.
Make sure you take the benefit of the incredible offers, discounts, and best deals. Since the mega event is approaching ahead, pre-booking of rooms, tickets, and baths will ensure you have a hassle-free Kumbha yatra. The official arrangements in the pilgrimage city are made for the welfare of the public. So, make sure you follow the rules and feel the divinity of Kumbha with a peaceful state of mind.
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