The holy confluence of the Ganga and the Yamuna is the ideal place to wash away all your sins. It is the place where your soul becomes one with the God Almighty, and the cycle of rebirth and death ends. Kumbh Snan or bathing during the 'Kumbh Mela' is of great importance. The fair is organized in the month of Magh according to the Hindu calendar. The Kumbh Mela is generally held every three years in rotation at Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik.



The fair is associated with an interesting legend. It started when the Hindu deities asked for the help of Demons to churn the ocean to centrifuge the 'Amrit' or 'Nectar'. When the nectar came out of the ocean, the gods and demons fought for the pitcher of nectar. The fight ensued for twelve days during which four drops spilled from the pitcher on to four places on the earth- Prayag (now Allahabad), Haridwar, Nasik, and Ujjain. These places now hold Kumbh Mela after every three years. Each twelve-year the cycle includes a Grand Mela called 'Maha Kumbh Mela', which is held at Allahabad. The fair is considered the largest conglomeration in the human world. According to the astrologers, the Kumbh Mela is held:

at Allahabad when Jupiter is in Aries or Taurus and the Sun and Moon are in Capricorn during the Hindu month of Magha (January-February)

at Haridwar when the planet Jupiter enters Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries during the Hindu month of Chaitra

at Nasik when Jupiter and the Sun are in Leo in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (August-September)

at Ujjain when Jupiter is in Leo and the Sun is in Aries, or when Jupiter, the Sun, and the Moon are in Libra during the Hindu month of Vaisakha (April-May).

The devotees throng to the riverbanks as early as three o' clock in morning. But first of all, the force of Naga Babas or Sadhus of the Snake Sect hit the water at the propitious bathing time or Kumbhayog. All the arrangements regarding shelter and food are done by the Government. People and the holy saints travel on elephants, horses, palanquins, chariots, cars, and camels. Devotees can be seen listening to religious discussions and devotional singing. The best part of the fair lies in the performances of the musicians and dancers with gongs, drums, trumpets, conch shells and bells.