Mythological Significance of Kumbh Mela
The mythological significance of Kumbh Mela revolves around the story of the Samudra Manthan (ocean churning), which was performed by the gods and demons to obtain the invaluable ratnas (jewels) and amrita (nectar of immortality). During this event, the mountain Mandarachala became the churning stick, and the serpent king Vasuki served as the rope. Lord Vishnu himself assumed the form of a tortoise (Kacchap) and provided support for the mountain.
As the nectar emerged from the churning, Jayanta, the son of Lord Indra, snatched it from the hands of Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician. Upon witnessing this, Lord Shukracharya, the guru of the demons, alerted them, and the demons chased Jayanta. According to the divine reckoning, one day of the gods equals one year for mortal beings. Jayanta ran for twelve days to prevent the amrit kalasha (nectar pot) from falling into the hands of the demons.
The four places where Jayanta placed the amrit kalasha during these twelve days were Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nashik-Trimbakeshwar, and Ujjain. At these four locations, the sun, moon, and planets were in a unique astrological alignment. This is why the Kumbh Mela is held at these places. During this time, the nectar pot was protected from the demons by Lord Brihaspati, with the help of the Sun, his son Lord Shani, and the Moon.
As mentioned in the Skanda Purana, the Kumbh Mela is not only celebrated where the amrit kalasha was placed, but also where the nectar spilled when the pot was set down. It is believed that the drops of nectar gave mystical powers to these locations. The Kumbh Mela is celebrated at these places to help people harness these divine powers.
Kumbh Mela is held every twelve years at four locations—Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik—based on planetary movements. The Maha Kumbh Mela is celebrated at Prayagraj once every 144 years, after twelve full Kumbh Melas.
