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.