simhastha ujjain 2016 - apnaujjain
TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to ApnaUjjain
Simhastha in UjjainThe Simhastha Kumbh is an unrivalled celebration in India. The most popular legendregarding the origin of Kumbh Melas is the Samudra Manthan or ‘churning of the ocean’.Gods and demons COMPETED erectly in the churning in search of the divine nectar ofimmortality. During this epic battle to capture the Urn (Kumbh) containing the nectar, dropsof the precious liquid fell on four places – Haridwar, Prayag (Allahabad), Nashik and Ujjain.Hence, river Kshipra became the enhancer of life and to celebrate this event since then thegrand festival came in vogue. Simhastha, is held once every 12 and attracts millions ofdevotees.
Simhastha Ujjain
The Kumbh Mela in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh is an event, which thedevotees wait for 12 years. The month-long congregation brings together millions of peoplefrom across India and abroad. Driven by faith and the quest for inner peace, they convergeon this holy city to be a part of a unique bathing festival. Braving the scorching sun of April-May the devotees enjoy the company of seers and saints, listen to religious discourses,witness various akharas, watch the grand processions of sadhus and take holy dips in theHoly Kshipra river.
Grand Simhastha, on the glorious ghats of Kshipra
The Ujjain Kumbh is celebrated when Jupiter ascends into sun sign Leo’s quarter or theSimha constellation of zodiac, which is why it is called ‘Simhastha’. The Simhastha isspecial in Ujjain as it is the seat of divine Mahakal – the Lord of all times. The ritual ofbathing in the holy waters of Kshipra begins on the full moon day of the Hindu month ofChaitra (March-April) and continues on various dates until the full moon shows up in thefollowing month of Vaishakha. The Simhastha at Ujjain has a special significance as a rareconfiguration of planets takes place in 12 years with the Sun in the Aries and the Jupiter inthe Leo.
The Holy Dip in Kshipra
The significance of a bath in the Kshipra can be gauged from a verse in the SkandaPurana. According to it The holy bath of the Kumbh equals in piety to thousands of Kartiksnans, hundred Magh snans and crores of Narmada snans during the month of Vaishakh.”The fruits of Kumbha snan are equal to the fruits of thousands of Ashvamedh Yajna andlakhs of journeys around the earth. Elaborate arrangements have been made for theconvenience of pilgrims as they take their ritual dip in the holy waters of the Kshipra.
