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GLOBAL NEWS
Special Report
The Kumbha Mela
In January 2001, 20-30 million Hindus gathered in Allahabad, Northern India to celebrate the Kumbha Mela, a spiritual festival. The Kumbha Mela, which originated in the 7th century, takes place every three years and in Allahabad every 12 years. This years' event was considered particularly auspicious because the moon, stars and planets are in an alignment that occurs just once in every 144 years.
Kumbha means a pot or pitcher and is symbolic of fullness and perfection; mela is a festival. The Kumbha Mela is derived from the immortal pot of nectar described in the ancient Vedic scriptures. Early in the history of the Universe, the demons and demigods made a pact, assembling on the celestial ocean of milk to churn it and produce the nectar of immortality, which they would then share. The demigods seized the nectar to prevent it from falling into the hands of the demons and hid it in four places, but in each place, one of which was Allahabad, a drop of immortality fell to the ground, giving it mystical powers.
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