Manoj M. Olikara: KUMBH MELA (Trimbak, Nasik)

As recorded & described in the vedic scriptures (puranas), Durvasa muni had cursed the Devas (demigods) & they had lost their strength. To regain their lost strength they approached Lord Brahma & Lord Shiva who directed them to Lord Vishnu. The Devas were given the task of churning the Ksheera Sagara (ocean of milk) to receive the amrith (immortality nectar).

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The task of producing the immortality nectar was a difficult one for the Devas to perform alone. Legend has it that the Devas & Asuras (demons) joined together to produced the amrith. The deal being that the nectar would be shared equally between the Devas & the Asuras. To churn the Ksheera Sagara, Mandara mountain was used as the churning rod, and Vasuki (king of serpents) became the churning rope. With the Devas at Vasuki’s tail and the Asuras at his head, the churning began.

At first, the churning of the milk ocean produced a deadly poison which terrified the Devas & Asuras. It was so toxic that it could have destroyed all creations. Lord Shiva came to the rescue, swallowed the poison and held it in his throat. This turned his throat blue & hence Lord Shiva was known as Neelakanta. Also, during the churning, the Mandara Mountain began to sink, seeing which Lord Vishnu incarnated as a great tortoise and supported the mountain on His back.

Finally, after many hurdles and years later, Dhanwantari (the heavenly physician) appeared with the Kumbh of immortal nectar in his hands. The Devas, fearing that the Asuras might seize the amirth, took the kumbh from the dhanwantari and handed over to the four Gods - Brahaspati, Surya, Shani, and Chandra for safekeeping. Fierce fighting ensued between Devas & Asuras for the nectar. To protect the nectar from Asuras, the divine Garuda took the pot, and flew away from the battle-scene. While Garuda was on his flight over Earth, it is believed that four drops of nectar fell at four places - Prayag (Allahabad), Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik. This legend is the basis for the belief that these places acquired a certain mystical power and spirituality.

A Kumbh Mela is celebrated at the four places every twelve years for this reason. It is believed that after the Shahi Snan (royal bath) during kumbh mela, one can get into heaven and achieve moksha.

The following pictures are from Trimbak & Nasik.