Maha Kumbh 2010 Haridwar

The biggest religious ceremony in the world, known as “Maha Kumbh Mela” (Great Festival of Urn), will take place in the northern Indian town of Haridwar on the banks of river Ganges. Here, millions of people will have their ritual cleansing bath on eleven auspicious days from the beginning of January up to the end of April. Kumbh Mela derives its name from the immortal - Pot of Nectar - described in ancient Vedic scriptures known as the Puranas. Kumbh in Sanskrit language means 'pot or pitcher’. Mela means 'festival'.

Haridwar is situated close to the spurs of the Shivaliks, the lowest range of the Himalayas and is regarded as one of the seven holiest places to the Indians. The Holy river Ganga (Ganges) transverse the Himalayas to enter the Plains of North India for the first time at Haridwar and this is what gave the city its ancient name, Gangadwára (the place where the Ganges descends to the plains).

History -The ancient origin of the Kumbh Mela is described in the time-honored Vedic literatures of India as having evolved from the bygone days of the universe when the demigods and the demons conjointly produced the nectar of immortality. For the task of churning the milk ocean, the Mandara Mountain was used as the churning rod, and Vasuki, the king of serpents, became the rope for churning. As the churning began, the Mandara Mountain began to sink deep into the ocean, at which time Vishnu incarnated as a great tortoise and supported the mountain on His back. The churning of the milk ocean for one thousand years initially produced a deadly poison which Shiva drank without being affected. Thereafter, a cow named Surabhi appeared who could yield unlimited quantities of milk. A white horse named Uccaihsrava then appeared, as well as a white elephant named Airavata. Then a valuable gem called the Kaustubha-mani appeared. At last a male person named Dhanvantari appeared carrying the pot of immortal nectar in His hands. The demigods, being fearful of what would happen if the demons drank their share of the nectar of immortality, forcibly seized the pot. In an endeavour to keep the nectar from falling into the hands of the demons, the demigods hid it in four places on the earth, Prayag (Allahabad), Hardwar, Ujjain, and Nasik. At each of the hiding places, a drop of immortal nectar spilled from the pot and landed on the earth and since then, these four places are believed to have acquired a mystical power.

The main bathing dates at the Haridwar Kumbh are:

January	14th - Makkar Sakranthi 15th - Mouni Amavaysa, Suryagrahan Snan 20th - Basant Panchami 30th - Mahi Poornima
February	12th - Mahashivratri (Shahi Snan)
March	15th - Somvati Amavasya (Shahi Snan) 16th - Nav Samvatharambh Snan 24th - Ramnavami Snan 30th - Chiatra Poornima Snan
April	13th – Baishakhi 14th - Mesh Sankranthi (Shahi Snan)

After visiting the Kumbh Mela of 1895, Mark Twain wrote:
“It is wonderful, the power of a faith like that, that can make multitudes upon multitudes of the old and weak and the young and frail enter without hesitation or complaint upon such incredible journeys and endure the resultant miseries without repining. It is done in love, or it is done in fear; I do not know which it is. No matter what the impulse is, the act born of it is beyond imagination, marvelous to our kind of people, the cold whites”

Accommodation During Maha Kumbh 2010, Haridwar - The Maha Kumbh Camp

Leisure Hotels Ltd. will be making special arrangements to provide comfortable stay and quality experience to the visitors. Apart from its heritage property, Haveli Hari Ganga, forthcoming Tehri House project and a small private property - Seth House (operational only during Maha Kumbh), Leisure Hotels Ltd will provide 100 Cottage Tented Accommodation - The Maha Kumbh Camp, Haridwar. Our similar efforts of providing deluxe tents at Maha Kumbh Allahabad in 2001 had been appreciated worldwide and further, The Char Dham Camps in Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath has become synonymous with the best hospitality experience at these famous destinations among religious tourists.

Just Not an Accomodation

At “The Maha Kumbh Camp”, hospitality is not restricted to offering guests just accommodation & food; it goes beyond this established norm. The guests decide how they want to define their experience. Guests are offered a glimpse of the local culture & heritage and a variety of activities to choose from.

Some of the options available are:-

An Enchanting cultural evening with Traditional Folk Dances
Bhajan and Kirtan every day
A traditional welcome with a steamed towel awaits you on your arrival at the camps
Post Maha Kumbh tours to winter seats of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath
Special arrangement to organize Private Srimad Bhagwat Katha