Kumbh 2019 : Dates of Shahi Snan/Royal Bath
Earth largest human fair Kumbh is slated in the city of Prayagraaj ( Allahabad) in Uttar Pradesh, India from 14th January, 2018 till 4th March, 2018.
Must Know : Kumbh Mela 2019 : Shahi Snan and Significant Dates for ‘Sacred Bath’
The Kumbh Mela (the festival of the sacred pitcher) is anchored in Hindu mythology. It is the largest public gathering and collective act of faith, anywhere in the world. The Mela draws tens of millions of pilgrims over the course of approximately 55 auspicious days to bathe at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the mystical Sarasvati. Primarily, this congregation includes Ascetics, Saints, Sadhus, Sadhvis, Kalpvasis, and Pilgrims from all walks of life. (https://kumbh.gov.in)
Prayagraj Kumbh Mela Bathing Dates
The Kumbh Mela comprises of many rituals including bathing ritual, which by far is the most significant ritual performed at Kumbh. Millions of pilgrims take part in the Kumbh bathing ritual at the Triveni Sangam. Performing this sacred ceremony is in accordance with the belief that by submerging oneself in the holy waters, one is purged of all their sins, release themselves and their ancestors from the cycle of rebirth and ultimate attainment of Moksha. Along with the bathing ritual, the pilgrims also worship on the banks of the holy river and participate in discourses from various sadhus and saints.
Must Read : Kumbh Mela 2019 : State Govt builds a ‘New City’ for the Kumbh Mela!
Although taking a dip in the sacred waters on all days of Prayagraj Kumbh beginning from Makar Sankranti (first day of the month of Magh, when the Sun enters Capricorn) is considered holy, yet there are some specific auspicious bathing dates. There are magnificent processions of saints and their disciples, and members of various Akharas (religious orders) take part in the ritual of Shahi Snan also known as ‘Rajyogi Snan’ at the start of Kumbh. Shahi Snan is the central highlight of Kumbh Mela and the most important part of the celebration. It is only after the Shahi Snan is complete, that people are allowed to take the holy bath, in the belief that the people will get the added advantage of the essence of holy deeds and thoughts of the saints by taking the dip after them. (https://kumbh.gov.in)
| Bathing Dates of Kumbh Mela-2019 | |
| Makar Sankranti (1St shahi Snan) | 14/15 January 2019 |
| Paush Purnima | 21 January 2019 |
| Paush Ekadashi Snan | 31 January 2019 |
| Mauni Amavasya (Main Royal Bath 2nd Shahi Snan) | 04 February 2019 |
| Basant Panchami (3rd shahi Snan) | 10 February 2019 |
| Maghi Ekadashi | 16 February 2019 |
| Maghi Poornima | 19 February 2019 |
| Maha Shivratri | 04 March 2019 |
Kumbh Mela, in Hinduism, is a religious pilgrimage that is celebrated four times over a course of 12 years. The geographical location of Kumbh Mela spans over four locations in India and the Mela site keeps rotating between one of the four pilgrimage places on four sacred rivers as listed below:
- Haridwar on the Ganges in Uttarakhand
- Ujjain on the Shipra in Madhya Pradesh
- Nashik on the Godavari in Maharashtra
- Prayagraj at the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati in Uttar Pradesh
Each site’s celebration is based on a distinct set of astrological positions of the Sun, the Moon, and the Jupiter. The celebrations occur at the exact moment when these positions are fully occupied, as it is considered to be the holiest time in Hinduism. The Kumbh Mela is an event that intrinsically encapsulates the science of astronomy, astrology, spirituality, ritualistic traditions, and socio-cultural customs and practices, making it extremely rich in knowledge. ((https://kumbh.gov.in))
