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==Venues==
==Venues==


{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! Prayag !! Nashik !! Ujjain !! Haridwar
|-
| 1983 || Ardha Kumbha || – || – || –
|-
| 1989 || Purna Kumbha || – || – || –
|-
| 1991 || – || Kumbha || – || –
|-
| 1992 || – || – || Kumbha || Ardha Kumbha
|-
| 1995 || Ardha Kumbha || – || – || –
|-
| 1998 || – || – || – || Kumbha
|-
| 2001 || Purna<ref>http://www.kumbhmela.co.in/kumbhmela.html</ref> Kumbh || – || – || –
|-
| 2003 || – || Kumbha || – || –
|-
| 2004 || – || – || Sihasth || Ardha Kumbha
|-
| 2007 || Ardha Kumbha || – || – || –
|-
| 2010 || – || – || – || Kumbha
|-
| 2013 || Maha<ref>http://zeenews.india.com/news/uttar-pradesh/thousands-take-holy-dip-as-maha-kumbh-begins_822770.html</ref> Kumbh || – || – ||-
|-
| 2015 || – || Kumbha || – || –
|-
| 2016 || – || – || Sihasth || Ardha Kumbha
|-
| 2019 || Ardha Kumbha || – || – || –
|-
| 2022 || – || – || – || Kumbha
|}
Upcoming Kumbha Mela festivals:
Upcoming Kumbha Mela festivals:
* The next Kumbha Mela will be held at [[Nashik]] on the bank of the river [[Godavari]] in 2015 (15 August to 13 September). The Kumbha at Ujjain is also called "Simhastha"(as Guru will be in Singh Rashi).<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?page=article&sectid=4&contentid=201204102012041016205290656cf527c |title=Madhya Pradesh clears Rs 192 crore for water facility during 2016 Kumbh Mela |work=Ahmedabad Mirror |year=2012 |quote=2016 Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Ujjain. |accessdate=15 January 2013}}</ref>
* The next Kumbha Mela will be held at [[Nashik]] on the bank of the river [[Godavari]] in 2015 (15 August to 13 September). The Kumbha at Ujjain is also called "Simhastha"(as Guru will be in Singh Rashi).<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?page=article&sectid=4&contentid=201204102012041016205290656cf527c |title=Madhya Pradesh clears Rs 192 crore for water facility during 2016 Kumbh Mela |work=Ahmedabad Mirror |year=2012 |quote=2016 Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Ujjain. |accessdate=15 January 2013}}</ref>

* Ujjain Purna Kumbha Mela 2016


==Timing==
==Timing==

Revision as of 10:17, 22 July 2013

Kumbha Mela
Nashik Pilgrims gather for Shahi Snan in Ramkund to take the Royal Bath in Dakshin Ganga River, 1991.
Official nameKumbha Mela, Maha Kumbha Mela,Kumbha Melam
Observed byHindus
TypeReligious
ObservancesShahi Snanam (bathing for purification from sin)
BeginsMakar Sankranti, 14 January
EndsMaha Shivaratri
2024 datedate missing (please add)
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Kumbha Mela (/ˌkʊm ˈmeɪlə/ or /ˌkʊm məˈlɑː/; Devanagari: कुम्भ मेला "kumbha mēlā", Marathi कुंभमेळा)"kumbh mela" is a mass Hindu pilgrimage of faith in which Hindus gather to bathe in a sacred river. It is considered to be largest peaceful gathering in the world with over 100 million people visiting during the Maha Kumbha Mela in 2013.[2] It is held every third year at one of the four places by rotation: Haridwar, Allahabad (Prayaga), Nashik and Ujjain. Thus the Kumbha Mela is held at each of these four places every twelfth year. Ardha ("Half") Kumbha Mela is held at only two places, Haridwar and Allahabad, every sixth year. The rivers at these four places are: the Ganges (Ganga) at Haridwar, the confluence (Sangam) of the Ganges and the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati at Allahabad, the Godawari at Nashik, and the Shipra at Ujjain.

Kumbha means a pitcher and Mela means fair in Sanskrit. The pilgrimage is held for about one and a half months at each of these four places where it is believed in Hinduism that drops of nectar fell from the Kumbha carried by gods after the sea was churned. The festival is billed as the "world’s largest congregation of religious pilgrims".[3] There is no scientific method of ascertaining the number of pilgrims, and the estimates of the number of pilgrims bathing on the most auspicious day may vary; approximately 80 million people attended on 14 February 2013.

Mauni Amavasya traditionally attracted the largest crowds at the mela, held here every 12 years. The current Kumbha Mela was held on 14 January 2013 at Allahabad. The day marked the second and the biggest Shahi Snanam (royal bath) of this event, with 13 akharas taking to the Sangam. 10 Feb 2013 was the biggest bathing day at the ongoing Maha Kumbha Mela and probably the largest human gathering on a single day. Over 30 million devotees and ascetics took holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.[4]

Haridwar Pilgrims gather at the third Shahi Snanam in Har ki Pauri to take the Royal Bath in Ganga River, 2010.

History

The first written evidence of the Kumbha Mela can be found in the accounts of Chinese monk Xuanzang (玄奘, alternately Hsuan Tsang) who visited India in 629–645 CE, during the reign of King Harshavardhana.[5][6] However, similar observances date back many centuries, where the river festivals first started getting organised. According to medieval Hindu theology, its origin is found in one of the most popular medieval puranas, the Bhagavata Purana. The Samudra manthan episode (Churning of the ocean of milk), is mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu Purana, the Mahabharata, and the Ramayana.[7]

The account goes that the Devas had lost their strength by the curse of Durväsä Muni, and to regain it, they approached Lord Brahma and Lord Shivam. They directed all the demigods to Lord Vishnu[8] (full story on kumbh mela) and after praying to Lord Vishnu, he instructed them to churn the ocean of milk Ksheera Sagara (primordial ocean of milk) to receive amrita (the nectar of immortality). This required them to make a temporary agreement with their arch enemies, the Asuras, to work together with a promise of sharing the wealth equally thereafter.[9] However, when the Kumbha (urn) containing the amrita appeared, a fight ensued. For twelve days and twelve nights (equivalent to twelve human years) the Devas and Asuras fought in the sky for the pot of amrita. It is believed that during the battle, Lord Vishnu (incarnated as Mohini-Mürti) flew away with the Kumbha of elixir spilling drops of amrita at four places: Allahabad (Prayag), Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik.[10]

Places

Kumbha Mela takes place every twelve years at one of four places: Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. The Mela in its different forms alternates between Prayag, Nashik, Ujjain and Haridwar every third year.Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page).[11][12] The Ardha (half) Kumbh Mela is celebrated every six years at only two places, Haridwar and Prayag.

  • Kumbha Mela: Held at all four places.[13]
  • Ardha Kumbha Mela: Held at Haridwar and Prayag, every 6 years.
  • Purna Kumbha Mela: Held only at Prayag every 12 years.[14]
  • Maha Kumbha Mela: Held only at Prayag, every 144 years.[15][16]

Prayag

The Triveni Sangam, or the intersection of Yamuna River and Ganges River and the mythical Sarasvati River, where devotees perform rituals.

Triveni Sangam, the meeting place, of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Sarasvati.[17]

Haridwar

On the bank of river Ganga.

Nashik

There are 14 Akhadas, of which 11 belong to the Shaiva sect (of the 11 Shaiva Akhadasa, one—Bhudada Akhada—is defunct, while 10 are active) and 3 to the Vaishnava sect. The Shaiva Akhadas take a holy dip at Kushavart in Trimbakeshwar, about 30 km from Nashik.[18] The Vaishnav Akhadas perform rituals at Ramkund in Godavari and stay at Tapovan.[19] The Vaishnava Akhadas have Khalsas (religious groups headed by Mahantas attached with Akhadas) attached with them. Both Shaiva and Vaishnava Sadhus used to take the holy dip in Trimbakeshwar, until 1838, when a clash between them led to bloodshed and the Peshwa ruler requested Shaiva sadhus to perform rituals at Trimbakeshwar and Vaishnavs to move downstream to Ramakunda in Nasik.

Ujjain

On the bank of river Shipra.

Venues

Upcoming Kumbha Mela festivals:

  • The next Kumbha Mela will be held at Nashik on the bank of the river Godavari in 2015 (15 August to 13 September). The Kumbha at Ujjain is also called "Simhastha"(as Guru will be in Singh Rashi).[20]

Timing

Planetary positions during 2013 Kumbh Mela at Allahabad (Prayag)

Kumbha Mela is celebrated at different locations depending on the position of the planet of Bṛhaspati (Jupiter) and the sun. When Jupiter and the sun are in the zodiac sign Leo (Simha Rashi) it is held in Trimbakeshwar, Nashik; when the sun is in Aquarius (Kumbha Rashi) it is celebrated at Haridwar; when Jupiter is in Taurus (Vrishabha Rashi ) and the sun is in Capricorn (Makar Rashi) Kumbha Mela is celebrated at Prayag; and Jupiter and the sun are in Scorpio (Vrishchik Rashi) the Mela is celebrated at Ujjain.[21][22] Each site's celebration dates are calculated in advance according to a special combination of zodiacal positions of Sun, Moon, and Jupiter.[23]

Attendance

Kumbha Mela at Prayag, 2001
A saint in Maha Kumbha 2013

According to The Imperial Gazetteer of India, an outbreak of cholera occurred at the 1892 Mela at Haridwar leading to the rapid improvement of arrangements by the authorities and to the formation of Haridwar Improvement Society. In 1903 about 400,000 people are recorded as attending the fair.[22] During the 1954 Kumbh Mela stampede at Prayag, around 500 people were killed, and scores were injured. Ten million people gathered at Haridwar for the Kumbha on 14 April 1998.[5]

In 2001, more than 40 million gathered on the busiest of its 55 days.[24]

According to the Mela Administration's estimates, around 70 million people participated in the 45-day Ardha Kumbha Mela at Prayag in 2007.[25]

The last "Kumbha Mela" held in 2001 in Prayag was estimated by the authorities to have attracted between 30 and 70 million people.[26][27][28]

The current Maha Kumbha Mela began on 14 January 2013 at Prayag.[29] According to expectations more than 100 million people will attend the 2013 Kumbha mela.[30][31]

The ritual

Naga sadhu procession 1998 Kumbha Mela

The major event of the festival is ritual bathing at the banks of the river in whichever town Kumbha Mela being held:Ganga in Haridwar, Godavari in Nasik, Kshipra in Ujjain and Sangam (confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati) in Allahabad (Prayag. Nasik has registered maximum visitors to 75 million. Other activities include religious discussions, devotional singing, mass feeding of holy men and women and the poor, and religious assemblies where doctrines are debated and standardised. Kumbha Mela is the most sacred of all the pilgrimages.[citation needed] Thousands of holy men and women attend, and the auspiciousness of the festival is in part attributable to this. The sadhus are seen clad in saffron sheets with Vibhuti ashes dabbed on their skin as per the requirements of ancient traditions. Some, called naga sanyasis, may not wear any clothes even in severe winter.[citation needed]

After visiting the Kumbha 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.[32]

The order of entering the water is fixed, with the Juna,the Niranjani and Mahanirvani akharas preceeding. [33]

Most significant days during the Kumbha Mela

Bhishma Ekadasi Snan

On this day, Bhishma Pithamaha, the oldest, wisest, most powerful and most righteous person belonging to the Kuru dynasty (approx. over 5000 years ago), narrated the greatness of Lord Krishna through Sri Vishnu Sahasranama to Yudhishtira, the oldest brother of Pandavas.[34]

Recent Kumbha Melas

1894

According to Paramahansa Yogananda in his work the Autobiography of a Yogi, it was during the Kumbha Mela in January 1894 at Prayag that his Guru Sri Yukteswar met Mahavatar Babaji for the first time.[35]

2003

When the Kumbha Mela was held in Nashik, India, from 27 July to 7 September 2003, 39 pilgrims (28 women and 11 men) were trampled to death and 57 were injured. Devotees had gathered on the banks of the Godavari river for the maha snaanam or holy bath. Over 30,000 pilgrims were being held back by barricades in a narrow street leading to the Ramkund, a holy spot, so the sadhus could take the first ceremonial bath. Reportedly, a sadhu threw some silver coins into the crowd and the subsequent scramble led to the stampede.[36][37]

2007

More than 70 million people visited Ardh Kumbh Mela at Prayag.[38]

2010

Haridwar hosted the Purna Kumbha mela from Makar Sankranti (14 January 2010) to Shakh Purnima Snan (28 April 2010). Millions of Hindu pilgrims attended the mela. On 14 April 2010, alone approximately 10 million people bathed in the Ganges river.[39] According to officials by mid April about 40 million people had bathed since 14 January 2010.[40] Hundreds of foreigners joined Indian pilgrims in the festival which is thought to be the largest religious gathering in the world.[40][41] To accommodate the large number of pilgrims Indian Railways ran special trains.[42] At least 5 people died in a stampede after clashes between holy men and devotees.[43]

Indian Space Research Organisation took satellite pictures of the crowds with the hope of improving the conduct of the festival in the future.[44]

2013

The Maha Kumbha Mela is held at Allahabad (Prayag) (27 January to 10 March 2013). An estimated 30 million people visited the Maha Kumbha Mela on 10 February 2013 and an estimated 100 million are expected to visit the place during the festival spread over 55 days.[45] On 10 February 2013 a stampede at the railway station killed 36 and injured at least 39.[46] In the vast crowds some elderly people, predominantly women, are abandoned by their families.[2]

Here are the details of most auspicious days (bathing dates) in year 2013 during Maha Kumbh Festival (mela).[47]

  • 14 January 2013 (Monday) – Makar Sankranti
  • 27 January 2013 (Sunday) – Paush Purnima
  • 6 February 2013 (Wednesday) – Ekadashi Snan
  • 10 February 2013 (Sunday) – Mauni Amavasya Snan (Main Bathing Day)
  • 15 February 2013 (Friday) – Vasant Panchami Snan
  • 17 February 2013 (Sunday) – Rath Saptami Snan
  • 21 February 2013 (Thursday) – Bhisma Ekadashi Snan
  • 25 February 2013 (Monday) – Maghi Purnima Snan
  • 10 March 2013 (Sunday) – Mahashivratri

Kumbha Mela in media

1982

Amrita Kumbher Sandhane, a 1982 Bengali feature film directed by Dilip Roy, documents the Kumbha Mela. Kumbha Mela has been theme for many a documentaries, including "Kumbha Mela: The Greatest Show on Earth" (2001) directed by Graham Day,[48] On 24 September, The Hindu reported the great faith in god displayed in Kumbha Mela at Nasik which had more than 70 million visitors in 2003 Kumbha Mela. (2004), by Maurizio Benazzo and Nick Day,[49][50] Kumbh Mela: Songs of the River (2004), by Nadeem Uddin,[51] and Invocation, Kumbha Mela (2008).[52]

2004

Short Cut to Nirvana: Kumbh Mela is a 2004 documentary film was set in the 2001 Maha Kumbha Mela at Allahabad. This film is directed by Nick Day and produced by "Maurizio Benazzo".[53]

2010

On 18 April 2010, a popular American morning show The CBS Sunday Morning gave an extensive coverage on Haridwar's Kumbha Mela "The Largest Pilgrimage on Earth". Calling it "one of the most extraordinary displays of faith on Earth, a spectacular journey drawing tens of millions of people".

On 28 April 2010, BBC reported an audio and a video report on Kumbha Mela, titled "Kumbh Mela 'greatest show on earth'.

On 30 September 2010, the Kumbha Mela featured in the second episode of the Sky One TV series "An Idiot Abroad" with Karl Pilkington visiting the festival.

2011

In 2011 the documentary on Kumbha Mela, 'Kumbh Mela: Walking with the Nagas', was produced.

2012

"Amrit Nectar of Immortality" (2012) is a documentary which was shot at the Kumbha Mela 2010 in Haridwar, this film is directed by Jonas Scheu and Philipp Eyer.[54]

2013

Allahabad: Kumbha Mela 2013, considered to be the biggest congregation of Pilgrims and devotees across the world, yet it turned out also to be a big congregation of Technology.

State government took this opportunity to showcase its achievements.

On 10 Feb 2013, Media reported that 36 people died in a stampede at the Allahabad railway station, the union and state governments have denied that organizational lapses may have contributed to the tragedy; they say the massive rush of passengers, returning from a dip in the waters of the Ganga and Yamuna, at the Maha Kumbha, the world's largest religious festival.

In March, 2013, the documentary "Inside the Mahakumbh" by French filmmaker Diego Bunuel is being shown world-wide.[55]

In 2013 the National Geographic Channel produced the documentary World's Biggest Festival: Kumbh Mela which featured the California-born Baba Rampuri, the first foreigner to become a Sadhu.

In 2013 the documentary River of Faith: A film about the Kumbh Mela 2013 was made.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Business Line : Features News : Stage set for Maha Kumbh Mela 2013". Business Line. 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013. will conclude on Maha Shivaratri on March 10
  2. ^ a b Spinney, Laura. "At Largest Religious Festival, Some Abandon Elderly". National Geographic. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
  3. ^ The Maha Kumbha Mela 2001 indianembassy.org
  4. ^ http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/over-three-crore-devotees-take-the-dip-at-sangam/article4401726.ece
  5. ^ a b Kumbh Mela – Timeline What Is Hinduism?: Modern Adventures into a Profound Global Faith, by Editors of Hinduism Today, Hinduism Today Magazine Editors. Published by Himalayan Academy Publications, 2007. ISBN 1-934145-00-9. 242–243.
  6. ^ Kumbh Mela Channel 4.
  7. ^ Ramayana, Book I; Canto: XLV – The Quest for the Amrit Ramayana of Valmiki.
  8. ^ in Vaikuntha Story of Maha Kumbh Mela from Srimad Bhagvatam
  9. ^ The Holiest Day in History Time, 31 January 1977.
  10. ^ Urn Festival Time, 1 May 1950.
  11. ^ K Shadananan Nair, "Role of water in the development of civilization of India: A review of ancient literature, traditional practices and beliefs", pp. 160–166 of The Basis of Civilization: Water Science?, ed. J. C. Rodda and Lucio Ubertini (Wallingford, Oxon: International Association of Hydrological Science, 2004. ISBN 1-901502-57-0), p.165. Here [1] at Google Books.
  12. ^ John C. Rodda; Lucio Ubertini; Symposium on the Basis of Civilization Water Science ( (2004). Water Science. IAHS Press. pp. 165–. ISBN 978-1-901502-57-2. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  13. ^ "Kumbh Mela". hindusphere.com. Retrieved 15 January 2013. Kumbh Mela is organised every three years on a rotation basis of Prayag, Nashik or Nasik, Haridwar and tuttiwater town.
  14. ^ "Purna Kumbh Mela at Prayag". Explora Films. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
  15. ^ Huston Smith; Phil Cousineau (4 September 2012). And Live Rejoicing: Chapters from a Charmed Life: Personal Encounters With Spiritual Mavericks, Remarkable Seekers, and the World's Great Religious Leaders. New World Library. pp. 73–. ISBN 978-1-60868-071-9. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  16. ^ Chris Philpott (24 January 2011). Green Spirituality: One Answer to Global Environmental Problems and World Poverty. AuthorHouse. pp. 45–. ISBN 978-1-4520-8290-5. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  17. ^ "Thousands take holy dip as 'Maha Kumbha' begins". zeenews.india.com. 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013. millions of pilgrims in taking a holy dip in the Sangam the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati
  18. ^ "Preparation for 2015 Kumbh caught in bureaucratic procedures, politics". The Times of India. 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2013. The Shaiv Akhadas take a holy dip at Kushavart in Trimbakeshwar
  19. ^ "Shahi Snanam begins at Kumbha Mela". mid-day.com. 2003. Retrieved 15 January 2013. The Vaishnavites have a bath in Nashik, while the Shaivaites at Trimbakeshawar.
  20. ^ "Madhya Pradesh clears Rs 192 crore for water facility during 2016 Kumbh Mela". Ahmedabad Mirror. 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2013. 2016 Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Ujjain.
  21. ^ Kumbha Mela Students' Britannica India, by Dale Hoiberg, Indu Ramchandani. Published by Popular Prakashan, 2000. ISBN 0-85229-760-2.Page 259-260.
  22. ^ a b Haridwar The Imperial Gazetteer of India, 1909, v. 13, p. 52.
  23. ^ Kumbh Mela 'Encyclopædia Britannica.
  24. ^ India's Hindu Kumbha Mela festival begins in Prayag, a 14 January 2013 article from BBC News
  25. ^ "Ardha Kumbha – 2007: The Ganges River". Mela Administration. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
  26. ^ Kumbha Mela pictured from space – probably the largest human gathering in history BBC News, 26 January 2001.
  27. ^ Kumbh Mela: the largest pilgrimage – Pictures: Kumbh Mela by Karoki Lewis The Times, 22 March 2008. Behind paywall.
  28. ^ Kumbh Mela, New Scientist, 25 January 2001
  29. ^ [2]
  30. ^ "Millions of Hindus take to the Ganges at Maha Kumbh Mela | Reuters". Reuters. 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013. Officials believe that over the next two months as many as 100 million people will pass
  31. ^ "Kumbha Mela: 'Eight million' bathers on first day of festival". BBC. 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013. More than 100 million people are expected to attend the 55-day festival.
  32. ^ Mark Twain, "Following the Equator: A journey around the world"
  33. ^ Nandita Sengupta (13 February 2010). "Naga sadhus steal the show at Kumbh", TNN
  34. ^ "Kumbh Mela – Expert Bulletin". Expertbulletin.com.
  35. ^ Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda Chapter 36 Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda, wikisource.
  36. ^ 39 killed in Kumbh Mela stampede The Hindu, 28 August 2003
  37. ^ "Holy man's gift blamed for 39 dead in stampede" The Guardian, 28 August 2003.
  38. ^ http://www.niticentral.com/2013/02/10-things-about-kumbh-mela-that-you-never-knew.html
  39. ^ Yardley, Jim (14 April 2010). "Taking a Sacred Plunge, One Wave of Humanity at a Time". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 April 2010. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  40. ^ a b Millions dip in Ganges at world's biggest festival, Agence France-Presse, 13 April 2010
  41. ^ Foreigners join huge crowds at India’s holy river festival, The Gazette, 14 April 2010
  42. ^ "More trains during Kumbh Mela". The Times of India. 11 April 2010. Retrieved 16 April 2010.
  43. ^ Five die in stampede at Hindu bathing festival, BBC, 14 April 2010
  44. ^ ISRO taking satellite pictures of Mahakumbh mela, Press Trust of India, 13 April 2010
  45. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-21395425
  46. ^ "Allahabad stampede kills 36 Kumbh Mela pilgrims". Reuters. 11 February 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  47. ^ Allahabad Maha Kumbh 2013 Bathing Dates
  48. ^ Kumbh Mela: The Greatest Show on Earth at IMDb Edit this at Wikidata
  49. ^ Short Cut to Nirvana at IMDb Edit this at Wikidata
  50. ^ Mela films
  51. ^ Kumbh Mela: Songs of the River at IMDb Edit this at Wikidata
  52. ^ Invocation, Kumbha Mela at IMDb Edit this at Wikidata
  53. ^ http://melafilms.com
  54. ^ http://amritfilm.net, Amrit Nectar of Immortality Website
  55. ^ http://news.biharprabha.com/2013/03/maha-kumbh-mela-was-brilliantly-organized-french-filmmaker-diego-bunuel/

Further reading

  • Maclean, Kama (2008) Pilgrimage and Power: The Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, 1765–1954 New York: Oxford University Press ISBN 978-0-19-533894-2
  • Narain, Badri and Kedar Narain (2010) Kumbh Mela and the Sadhus - The Quest for Immortality Varanasi: Pilgrims Publishing. ISBN 978-81-7769-805-3

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kumbha Mela.
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