The world’s largest religious congregation, Kumbh Mela, is happening once again after 11 years in Haridwar and is scheduled to begin on January 14. The mela, which happens every 12 years is celebrated at mainly four places namely Allahabad (Prayag – Ganges-Yamuna Sarasvati rivers Confluence), Haridwar (Ganges), Nashik (Godavari), and Ujjain (Shipra).
Here is everything you need to know about 2021 Kumbh Mela
As most of you must be aware, Kumbh Mela happens every 12 years but this time is being hosted after 11 years due to a change in planetary position. The festival, which will begin on Makar Sankranti will last at least 3 months until Chaitra Purnima Snan on April 27.
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During the festival, lakhs of pilgrims take a dip in the holy water of the river Ganga, Godavari and Shipra along their ghats. The social event is credited to the 8th-century philosopher and saint Adi Shankara and his attempts to unify Hinduism thoughts. The mela finds itself in the list of UNESCO’s ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ list which makes it even more special.
This year, there will be as many as 4 Shahi Snan in Kumbh Mela.
- First Shahi Snan- 11th March- Shivratri
- Second Shahi Snan- 12th April Somvati Amavasya
- Third Shahi Snan- 14th April- Makar Sankranti
- Fourth Shahi Snan- 27th April- Baisakh Purnima
Also, there will be 9 holy Ganga Snan, which will have devotess taking a dip in the Ganga river in Haridwar.
- January 14, 2021- Makar Sakranti Snan
- February 11, 2021- Mauni Amavasya Snan
- February 16, 2021- Basant Panchami Snan
- February 27, 2021- Magh Poornima Snan
- March 11, 2021- Maha Shivratri Snan
- April 12, 2021- Somvati Amamvasya Snan
- April 14, 2021- Baisakhi Snan
- April 21, 2021- Ram Navami Snan
- April 27, 2021- Chaitra Purnima Snan
Also, despite the COVID scare, as many as 30-50 lakh people are expected to mark their attendance at the mela, especially in Haridwar. Thus to ease out the journey of the devotees, the Indian Railways has decided to resume 18 trains in Haridwar from January 10.
- Dehradun-Howrah Upasana Express 12317-18
- Haridwar-Howrah Kumbh Express 12369-70
- Haridwar-Shriganga Nagar Express 14711-12
- Dehradun-Howrah Doon Express 3009-10
- Bandra to Haridwar Express 19019-20
- Kuchibeli-Dehradun Express 22659- 60
- Puri-Haridwar Utkal Express 18477-78
- Okhla-Dehradun Express 19565-66
- Ahmedabad-Dehradun Express 19032-32
- Varanasi Dehradun Janata Express 14265-66
- Dehradun Amritsar Express 14631-32
- Haridwar-Prayag Express 14229-30
- Haridwar-Jammuutvi Express 4605-06
- Prayag-Dehradun Link Express 14113-14
- Kathgodam-Dehradun Express 14119-20
- Haridwar-Amritsar Express 12053-54
- Lokmanya Tilak-Haridwar Express 12171-72
- Bikaner-Haridwar Express 14717
- Dehradun Yoga City-New Rishikesh 3009-10
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Moreover, 2021 mela would be different in terms of facilities. Due to COVID-19, crowd management will be tackled differently. As per the guidelines, the pilgrims will first have to register themselves on a website and select a specific ghat to bathe and get an e-pass for the same. Once are on the specific ghat, they will be allowed to bathe for 15 minutes.
