Kumbh Mela in Ujjain

History of Kumbh Mela

The word Kumbh Mela is derived from two words Kumbh and mela. The name Kumbh is meant the immortal pot of nectar which the Devtas and the demons battled over as described in ancient Vedic scriptures known as the Puranas. Mela, as we all are aware, is a Sanskrit word meaning 'gathering' or 'to meet'.

Types of Kumbh Melas

#1 Ardh Kumbh Mela: It means Half Kumbh Mela which can be held every 6 years in India only at two places i.e. Prayagraj and Haridwar.

#2 Purna Kumbh Mela: It arises every 12 years. Generally held at 4 Kumbh Mela Places in India i.e. Prayagraj, Nashik, Haridwar, and Ujjain. It revolves every 12 years at these 4 places.

#3 Kumbh Mela: It held at four different places and is organized by the state governments. Millions of people join with divine enthusiasm.

#4 Magh Kumbh Mela: It is also called Mini Kumbh Mela which is held yearly at Prayagraj only. It is organized in the month of Magh as per the Hindu calendar.

#5 Maha Kumbh Mela: It is organized only at Prayagraj. It comes in every 144 years or after 12 Purna Kumbh Mela.

Apart from kumbh mela their are Mahakaleshwar Temple, Hanuwantiya, Janapav Kuti, Nagda Birla Mandir, Sailani Tapu and many more nearest places to Ujjain.

Ujjain Kumbh Mela

When the Kumbha containing the amrita seemed, a battle ensued. To prevent the amrita from demons, its protection was assigned to Gods Brihaspati, Surya, Shani, and Chandra. After learning the conspiracy of the Devtas, demons turned brutal and attacked them. Devtas already knew that demons have more power and can easily lose them. The Devtas ran away with the Kumbh to hide Amrita away and they were chased by Asuras.

For 12 days and 12 nights, the Devas and Asuras battled in the sky for the pot of amrita. It is believed that during the battle, drops of amrita drop down from Kumbh at four places: Allahabad (Prayag), Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik.

As 12 days of Gods are equal to 12 years for humans; the Kumbh Mela is celebrated every 12 years in each of the four places - banks of river Shipra in Ujjain, river Ganges in Haridwar, river Godavari in Nasik and at the Sangam of Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati in Allahabad, where the drops are supposed to have fallen.

The Kumbh Mela in Ujjain is celebrated near Shipra River. It is held in the Hindu calendar month of Vaisakha. It is organized when Jupiter is in Leo, Sun in Aries or Jupiter, Sun, and Moon in Libra on the day of Kartika Amavasya.

There are many budget hotels in Ujjain, where the traveller can enjoy a comfortable stay. In 2016 Ujjain Simhastha was prepared between 22 April and 21 May. According to the state's Transport Minister, nearly 75 million people visited the fair during this one month.