To any one in India, Nasik hardly needs an introduction. Standing on the banks of Godavari River, Nasik has historically been one of the holiest sites in the country. It is one of the four cities in India that host the huge Sinhastha Kumbh Mela after every twelve years. The Kumbh Mela is acclaimed as the largest human gathering in the world, where people come with only one thing in their mind - faith.
Kumbh Mela is one of the holiest events in India that brings Hindus from all over the country, and the world, together. It is the time when Hindus forget their social status, which region they come from or which caste they belong to and take part in the mass celebration of Kumbh Mela. This mammoth fair is celebrated in the four main Hindu pilgrim centers of India namely Haridwar, Allahabad, Nasik and Ujjain. It is held alternatively in these places, depending on the positions of stars and planets. When Sun and Jupiter (Guru) are in zodiac sign Leo (Simha Rashi), it is celebrated in Trimbakeshwar and Nasik. The last Kumbhmela in Nasik was held between July 27, 2003 and August 27, 2004. The next Nasik Kumbhmela is scheduled for 2015-2016. The flag hoisting of the Kumbh that marks the beginning of Kumbhmela will be held on July 14, 2015. And it will end with lowering of the flag on August 11, 2016.
Legend goes that there had been conflict between the gods and the demons over the possession a pitcher filled with nectar, called “Amrit Kumbh”. They had to churn the milky ocean -“Kshir Sagar” - to procure the nectar of immortality. The gods and the demons fought for 12 days and 12 nights (accounting to 12 human years). After churning of the milky ocean, there arose a clash between the two sides. When Lord Vishnu, one of the gods, flew away with the pot of nectar and on his way to heaven, he dropped four drops of it in Haridwar, Allahabad, Ujjain and Nasik. Since then devotees converge to celebrate this divine event, at these places.
The Kumbh Mela, the largest religious gathering in the world, brings Hindus together to discuss their disseminate information and faith about their religion. Pilgrims come to Kumbh Mela in such overwhelming numbers, and with such tremendous devotion, that it boggles the mind. The Mela looks like an ocean of humans. The pilgrims come from all walks of life, with the belief that their past sins will be washed off by bathing in the holy river Godavari if they take a dip during the Kumbh Mela. Therefore, millions of devotees arrive here to purify their inner self and attain Moksha (to become eligible for liberation from the cycle of birth and death).
Apart from the pilgrims, many sadhus (Hindu holy men) and saints from all over the country come to be a part of the Kumbh Mela. The Naked God-Men, Naga Sadhus, are the most prominent in this event who do not wear any clothes as well as smear ashes on their bodies. These are the people who have given up their regular family life and have dedicated their life to the service of Lord Shiva.
During the Kumbh Mela, meditation, Pujas (worship), and other spiritual practices like mantra chanting are conducted simultaneously at different places at the Mela. Special homas (Yagnya), the performance of pujas are considered highly meritorious. The whole Nasik city and Trimbakeshwar are in a fantastic festive mood during this mammoth fair. The religious and festive mood makes people get away from their daily chores and experience the spiritual ecstasy.
The sheer power of a culture that makes you travel miles just to step in the water forgetting the extreme temperatures, is nothing short of humbling. For those who wish to witness the faith of a thousand-year-old culture come alive, the Nasik Kumbh Mela is the place to be
