Kumbh-Mela-festival
The Maha Kumbh Mela, also known as the Purna Kumbh Mela will be held in Allahabad from 27th January to 25th February in 2013. This is the most auspicious and biggest fair which falls once every 12 years and attended by millions of devotees every year.
Allahabad as it is called now means the ‘City of God’ and is also known as Prayag which is located in the southern part of Uttar Pradesh and stands at the confluence of Ganges and Yamuna and the ancient river Saraswati rivers. Hence this place is called Triveni Sangam and and is mentioned in many Hindu scriptures and is considered of great importance as a site of mass Hindu Pilgrimage.
It is believed that Lord Brahma offered his first sacrifice at Prayag after creating the world. The Kumbh Mela at Prayag is the largest and holiest of all melas and is also considered the most auspicious.
The Purna Kumbh Mela or Maha Kumbh Mela occurs once in every 12 years and is held in Allahabad. Apart from this , the Ardha Kumbh Mela is held every 6 years and the Magh Mela is held every year.
Kumbh Mela Snan by sadhus
The main bathing days are known as Shahi Snans or Royal Bathing Days and millions of devotees from across the world come to take bath at Prayag.
The previous Maha Kumbh Mela was held in the year 2001 in which millions of pilgrims took the holy bath in Sangam. The important bathing days for the Kumbh Mela in 2013 are Makar Sankranti, Paush Purnima, Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchami, Maghi Purnima and Maha Shivaratri.