Kumbh Mela at ujjain

” मेष राशि गते सूर्ये सिंह राशौ बृहस्पतौ । उज्जियन्यां भवेत कुम्भः सदामुक्ति प्रदायकः ।। “

“ When Jupiter is in Leo or Simha and the Sun and Moon in Aries, Kumbha is held at Ujjain “

Kumbh mela at Ujjain

The Mela at Ujjain began in 18th century when Maratha ruler Ranoji Shinde brought ascetics from Nashik to Ujjain for a local festival occurring there.

Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh)

The Kumbh Meld here is held near Shipra river. It is held during Hindu calendar month of Vaisakha ( April-May). It is organised when Jupiter is in Leo, Sun in Aries or Jupiter, Sun, and Moon in Libra on the day of Kartik Amavasya. The mela in Ujjain is held every 12 years.

Ujjain Simhastha is a Hindu religious mela held every 12 years in the Ujjain city of Madhya Pradesh, India. The name is also transliterated as Sinhastha or Singhastha. In Hindi, the fair is also called Simhasth or Sinhasth (due to schwa deletion). The name derives from the fact that it is held when the Jupiter is in Leo (Simha in Hindu astrology).

Ram Ghat

Simhastha Ujjain

It is one of the four fairs traditionally recognized as Kumbha Melas, and is also known as Ujjain Kumbh Mela. According to Hindu mythology, Vishnu dropped drops of amrita (the drink of immortality) at four places, while transporting it in a kumbha (pot). These four places, including Ujjain, are identified as the present-day sites of the Kumbh Mela.”Kumbh” in its literal English translation means “Pot”, which emerged from “Samudra Manthan”(Churning of the Ocean) between Gods and Demons. The term ‘Mela‘ signifies’Fair‘.

The Simhastha at Ujjain is an adaptation of the Nashik-Trimbak Simhastha fair to a local festival of uncertain origin. In its current form, it began in the 18th century when the Maratha ruler Ranoji Shinde invited ascetics from Nashik to Ujjain’s local festival. Both Ujjain and Nashik fairs adopted the Kumbha myth from the Haridwar Kumbh Mela. The Simhastha at Ujjayini pays special reverence to the temple of Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, which is the abode of Lord Shiva’s Swayambhu lingam. A river-side festival, it is celebrated on the banks of Shipra river. The fair attracts millions of pilgrims.

The Ujjain Simhastha is held once in 12 years, when the Jupiter is in Leo (Simha in Hindu astrology). The main snana (bathing ritual) happens on the full moon day in Vaisakha month of the Hindu calendar (April–May).

History

The Ujjain Simhastha started in the 18th century as an adaptation of the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha. The Khulasat-ut-Tawarikh (1695 CE) is the earliest extant text that mentions the term “Kumbh Mela”.The book mentions Ujjain as a very sacred place in its description of the Malwa Subah.

Panchkoshi Yatra

The Panchkoshi Yatra has a long history and a large number of devotees – especially from rural areas – throng the event every year. This year the number of pilgrims of the Yatra doubled to around six lakh due to Simhasth Kumbh Mahaparv. The Panchkoshi Yatra is an integral part of the folk life, religion and culture. The Yatra has found mention in the Avantikhand of Skandpuran according to which, there are four dwars (gates) around Mahakal Van – Pingleshwar in the east, Vilvakeshwar in west, Uttareshwar in north and Kayavarohan eshwar in south. In Panchkoshi Yatra, pilgrims perform Pradakshina of Ujjain and then take rest on the bank of river Kshipra to finish the Ashta Teerth Yatra. Panchkoshi Yatra commences on Vaishakh Krishana Paksha Dashmi and culminates on Amavasya. This year, the Amavasya fell on Monday (Somvati Amavasya), which multiplied its importance. The Yatra pilgrims reach Pingleshwar on Ekadashi festival on the first day of Yatra. They perform the worships of 81st Pingleshwar Mahadev. It is believed that the homes of Panchkoshi pilgrims are blessed with prosperity and wisdom. The Dharmraj in the Swarga too also pays full respect to them. Panchkoshi pilgrims perform worships of Kayavarohan eshwar (Shivlinga), the 82nd of 84 Mahadevs on Dwadashi. Myths have it that whoever performs worship of Kayavarohan eshwar on Dwadashi will get rid of all the sins and would find a place in the heaven. Panchkoshi pilgrims reach village Jethal and offer prayers to 84th Dardureshwar Mahadev. It is also said that forefathers of pilgrims get salvation who offer prayers to Dardureshwar Mahadev on Vaishakh Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi. The Panchkoshi pilgrims, who reach Ujjain on Amavasya, once again offer prayers to Nagchandreshwar Mahadev after the daylong Ashta teertha Yatra and then resume their journey by offering prayers to Ashwashaskti.

The number of women is far more than their male counterparts in the Panchkoshi Yatra. The pilgrims, who undertake the journey with complete independence, halt at several places and perform bhajan and music during the Yatra. The villagers celebrate it as a festival. The pilgrims could be seen amassing stones alongside the road. The mythological significance of this ritual has it that they will get palatial buildings in their next birth. With the Parikrama of Ujjain city, they perform the Parikrama of all the 84 Mahadevas. It is said that Ujjain has 84 Mahadevas and Darshan of which get rid the pilgrims of 84 lakh Yonis. Lakhs of devotees walk for around 24 km daily in the scorching heat and daylight. However, one cannot find a slightest trace of fatigue on their face. Some of them even carry on their journey in the daytime in order to complete the 118-km long journey within six days.