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Kumbha Sankramana Punyakala

During Kumbha Sankranti the Sun is in a transitory phase and is moving from Makara Rashi to Kumbha Rashi. Of the twelve Sankranti that occur during any given year, Kumbha Sankranti is the eleventh in the year. Many communities across Eastern India celebrate Kumbha Sankranti with full religious fervor.

Kumbha Sankranti is also closely associated with Kumbha Mela which is considered to be biggest and the most auspicious religious gathering in the world.

Legends of Kumbha Sankranti

Kumbha Mela is being held since 629CE. King Harshavardhana was the ruler during this phase. Bhagavad Puran also makes a mention of Kumbha Sankranti which falls during the period of Kumbha Mela. Devotees take bath in River Ganges on the occasion of Kumbha Sankranti. Devotees ensure their presence in any of holy cities through which the Ganges passes. Ganges in Haridwar, Yamuna in Allahabad, Shipra in Ujjain and Godavari in Nasik are some of the places where devotees take bath on the occasion of Kumbha Sankranti.

Kumbha Sankranti Celebrations

The peace and tranquillity that one feels on bathing in the Ganges on Kumbha Sankranti is unmatched. Devotees get up early on Kumbha Sankranti and head to the bathing gaths to seek blessings from Goddess Ganga. After taking the holy bath, the devotees head to temples located on the banks of these ghats to pray to the Goddess Ganga for peace and happiness in their life.

Making offerings to cows is considered highly auspicious on Kumbha Sankranti. Devotees visiting the holy cities of Haridwar and Allahabad are seen making offerings to cows on the occasion of Kumbha Sankranti. Monks and devotees alike bathe in the holy rivers and seek solace for their present and future lives on Kumbha Sankranti.

The festivities in Eastern India on the occasion of Kumbha Sankranti are special. In the Malayalam Calendar, Kumbha Sankranti marks the beginning of Kumbha Masam. The festival is known as Masi Masam in the Malayalam Calendar. Kumbha Sankranti marks the beginning of Phalgun Masa in West Bengal. The holy dip taken in rivers on this occasion is known as Sankramana Snana.

Bathing in the Ganges on Kumbha Sankranti

Bathing in the River Ganges is always considered to be auspicious. The significance of this bath increases multifold if it is taken on Kumbha Sankranti. The devotees who bathe in Ganges on Kumbha Sankranti are freed from the cycle of rebirths and attain Moksha on their demise from this world. Other holy rivers including Godavari, Shipra and Sangam hold equal significance on this day and devotees bathing in these rivers are blessed with a happy life thereafter. All sins which one might have committed are cleansed on Kumbha Sankranti.

Kumbha Sankranti is an occasion for the devotees of Goddess Ganga to seek her blessings and lead a purposeful life.