There’s an age-old story of twins getting separated here, but the story of Kumbh is not that of getting separated but rather then getting connected, not just with your spiritual self but with one self.
Kumbh the word in Sanskrit means a pitcher or a jug
The Kumbh Mela is the largest human gathering, held every 12 years, with the Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj. The Ardh Kumbh takes place at Prayagraj and Haridwar every 5 years. Additionally, a Kumbh Mela occurs every 3 years at Haridwar, Nasik, Ujjain, and Prayagraj in rotation.
But the question arises, what actually is Kumbh? why is it celebrated? What is the history of it? and why it holds significance in Ayurveda.
The Cosmic Churning: History of the Kumbh
The story of Kumbh is deeply rooted in the Hindu Mythology, it is said that during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the cosmic ocean) which was performed by Gods and Demons, to get amrita, the nectar of immortality, and the priceless ratnas, or gems. The Nagraja Vasuki served as the rope, and the mountain Mandrachal turned into a churning stick.
The mountain Mandrachal was given a base by Lord Vishnu himself, who assumed the shape of Kasava, or tortoise, out of concern that it may slip and sink into the sea. To reach liberation or immortality, the story represents the churning of our minds as we delve deeper inside ourselves, from which all abilities and auspicious things come.
The toxic poison that first surfaced during this churning was ingested by Lord Shiva, who after consuming it became known as the Nilkantha. As the churning proceeded, Kamdhenu, the Uccaishrava Jayanta, the son of Lord Indra, came out and grabbed the amrita kalasa, or nectar-filled jug, out of God Dhanvantari's hands. Demons pursued Jayanta after Lord Shukracharya, the Guru of Demons, became aware of this. One day for Gods is equivalent to one year for mortals, according to divine counting. The Jayanta continued to run for twelve days in order to prevent amrit kalasha from falling into the hands of demons.
The sun, moon, and planets at that time had reached a special astrological alignment at the four locations where Jayanta had placed the amrit kalasha during these twelve years: Haridwar, Prayag, Nashik-Trimbakeshwar, and Ujjain. The Kumbh Mela is held at these locations, where Lord Brihaspati, aided by the Sun, Lord Shani, and the Moon, saved the nectar pot from demons.
According to the Skanda Purana, kumbhmela is not only observed where the amrit kalasa was placed; it is also observed where the nectar spilled concurrently with the kalasa's placement. It is thought that these drops endowed these locations with mystical abilities.
Kumbh Mela and Ayurveda: Unveiling the Sacred Connection
Millions of worshippers gather at the meeting point of holy rivers, such as the Ganga, Yamuna, and the fabled Saraswati, every twelve years to take a dip in their cleansing waters. According to Hindu texts, taking a bath is thought to purify the spirit and free a person from the cycle of birth and death. The profoundly spiritual nature of the occasion is in harmony with the age-old knowledge of Ayurveda, the "science of life."
Sanatana Dharma, which emphasizes balance between the body, mind, and spirit, is the foundation of both Ayurveda and the Kumbh Mela. Yoga, meditation, and fasting are among the spiritual activities of Kumbh Mela that follow Ayurvedic principles to cleanse and revitalize the body. In order to promote holistic health, Ayurvedic remedies—which are made from herbs and natural elements—are frequently given and celebrated throughout the festival.
Ayurveda and the Kumbh Mela work in tandem to attain balance, whether through bodily health or spiritual enlightenment. In addition to providing a chance for spiritual development, the festival connects Ayurveda followers to a way of life that respects the interdependence of all creation.
A live example of the everlasting connection between spirituality, mythology, and the ageless wisdom of Ayurveda, the Kumbh Mela is more than just a pilgrimage.
