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Kumbha Mela
Kumbha Mela gets its name from the immortal - Pot of Nectar. This is described in Vedic scriptures which are more commonly known as the Puranas. Kumbha means 'pot or pitcher’ in Sanaskrit. Mela refers to 'festival' and hence the Kumbha Mela literally means "festival of the pots". This is a festival which celebrates the appearance of the pot of nectar.
History and Importance of Kumbh Mela
The origin of the Kumbha Mela is mentioned in the Vedic literatures of India. This is being known as having evolved from the past days of the universe. This was the time when the demigods and the demons produced the nectar of immortality and it is said that the demigods and the demons came on the shore of the milk ocean. This milk ocean lies in the celestial region of the cosmos and the demigods and the demons created a plan to churn the milk ocean. This ocean was churned to produce the nectar of immortality after which they agreed to share the nectar equally once it was produced.
In order to churn the milk ocean, the Mandara Mountain was used as the churning rod. Vasuki which was the king of serpents was used was the rope for churning. When the churning began, the Mandara Mountain began to sink into the ocean very deeply. During this time Vishnu incarnated as a great tortoise. He then supported the mountain on His back and with the demigods at Vasuki’s tail and the demons on his head; the milk ocean was churned for about thousand years.
The churning of the milk ocean initially produced a deadly poison. Lord Shiva drank but he was not affected by this. As Shiva drank the poison, a few drops of the poison fell from his hands. This poison was licked up by scorpions, snakes, and other deadly creatures. After Shiva drank the poison, there were various things which were produced. Firstly a surabhi cow appeared. This cow is supposed to yield unlimited quantities of milk. After that, a white horse named Uccaihsrava was produced and also a white elephant named Airavata was produced. After that, a valuable gem called the Kaustubha-mani appeared.
After all these animals, the apsaras, beautiful dancing girls, and other wonderful things began to come out from the milk ocean. In the end, a male named Dhanvantari appeared. He was carrying the pot of immortal nectar in His hands. After seeing Dhanvantari with the pot of nectar, the demigods and demons became anxious and there was fear around. The demigods were scared if the demons would have the nectar and there was a fight which happened to get the nectar. To prevent the nectar from falling into the hands of the demons, the demigods hid the nectar in four places on the earth. This was Prayag (Allahabad), Hardwar, Ujjain, and Nasik. Today, Kumbh mela is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm.