> The last Kumbh Mela was 12 years ago and is on > again this week... > In Indian mythology the Sanskrit word 'mela' means a 'festival' and 'khumb' means a 'pot'.
According to the Indian literature, at the beginning of time, the Gods got together and churned the ocean to extract a substance which would confer immortality. The Gods agreed to share this mighty elixir, but one of them apparently absconded with the whole pot of Holy Ambrosia. Fleeing with the 'Nectar of the Gods', over the course of twelve days, the decoction Amrita was spilt onto four auspicious places, namely, Prayag, Hardwar, Ujjain, and Nasik. Read more: "ALLAHABAD: Leading the first shahi snan (royal bath) of Maha Kumbh 2013 on the occasion of Makar Sankranti on Monday would be members of Sanatan Dharma-18 akhadas who would be marching in unison before dawn." 'Sanatan Dharm akharas' Times of India, January 14, 2013 http://tinyurl.com/c685kam 'Maha Kumbha Mela Photos' India Today, January 14, 2013 http://tinyurl.com/cchz8oo
