Welcome To The Grand Divine Kumbh Mela 2021 of Haridwar

Haridwar, Gateway to the land of God

The grand celebration of Kumbh Mela 2021 has started in Haridwar. This is the best time to take a dip in the holy water of Ganga to free yourself from the sins.  In Kumbh Mela 2021 there are 13 akharas are going to take part in Kumbh Mela. The upcoming one month (1st April to 30 April 2021) in which the bank of river Ganga will be Enlighted with sacred arti, accompanied by incessant chanting of mantras, hymns by the priest, sadhus, kirtan and heart-rendering dance of naga sadhus. Haridwar, the divine city of Uttarakhand, is one of the seven holiest places for Hindus all over India. It is the place where Maha-Kumbh will be held in 2021. ‘Haridwar’ literally means ‘Gateway to the land of God’, and it is the place where the Holy River Ganga leaves the mountains & flows down through God’s own town. Thousands of devotees come here every week to bathe in the holy waters and gather around Har-Ki-Pauri, for the evening ‘aarti’ or prayers. In the Sata Yuga, it was Bhagiratha who brought Ganga to Earth in order to purify the spirits of his cursed ancestors. He prayed to goddess Ganga, the mighty river to come on Earth, who in-turn asked him to pray to supreme God Shiva to help her appear on land. Then Bhagiratha prayed to God Shiva and requested him to help bring River Ganga on Earth.

According to a popular Hindu legend, it was here that Goddess River Ganga was released when Supreme God Shiva opened the top ties/locks of his hair & allowed her to stay in them. From here, River Ganga, after flowing for 253 kilometers (157 miles) across mountains from its source at ‘Gaumukh’ at the edge of the Gangotri Glacier, entered the Gangetic Plains at Haridwar for the first time, thus giving the city its primeval name of “Gangadwar”.

Kumbh & its origins

‘Haridwar’ or ‘Hardwar’ is considered as one of the seven holiest places (Sapta Puri) of Hindus. According to the Samudra Manthan, Haridwar along with Ujjain, Nashik, and Prayagraj (Allahabad) is one of 4 sites where a few drops of Amrit (the elixir of immortality), accidentally spilled out of the pitcher while being carried by the Celestial Bird Garuda (Eagle).

This is manifested in the Kumbha Mela, which is celebrated after every 12 years in Haridwar.  During the Haridwar Kumbh Mela, lakhs of pilgrims, devotees, and tourists gather together in Haridwar to perform ‘the holy bath’ on the banks of river Ganga for washing away their sins and attain Moksha (Pittance). One of the most significant places of Haridwar known as “Brahma Kund” is located in Har ki Pauri. It is that place where a few drops of Amrit or elixir of immortality fell, and that is why it is considered as the most sacred ghaat of Haridwar. It is also the epicenter of the ‘Kanwar pilgrimage’, in which lakhs of participants gather sacred water from River Ganga and carry it across hundreds of miles to dispense it as an offering to ‘shiv lings’ located in some of the most famous God Shiva’s temples.

Every evening, hundreds of devotees gather around Har ki Pauri to offer prayers to River Goddess Ganga by lighting up diyas, and floating them into the river. Har ki Pauri, which translates to “the footsteps of God Shiva,” marks the entry point of river Ganga in Haridwar. Haridwar is also famous for “Ganga Aarti” that takes place every evening at Har ki Pauri ghaat and is attended by hundreds of tourists every day. Its importance during Kumbh increases as the number of devotees increases to thousands every day, as it is also the time of the holy bath and offering prayers to gods and goddesses. During the “Ganga Aarti” sages or pandits offer lighted lamps (diyas) and chant vedic mantras along with the ringing of bells to appease the gods and goddesses for life and everything that are on earth. Devotees too can chant mantras and offer prayers along with the sages, who are clad in orange ‘dhoti’ and ‘chaadar’ with vermillion coloured ‘tilak’ on their forehead. It is said that those who participate in the “Ganga Aarti” during the Kumbh remain blessed by gods throughout life and enjoy good health, wealth and stay protected from diseases.

Do’s & Don’ts at Haridwar Kumbh 2021

Do’s

1. Ensure that you stay in a good affordable hotel, guesthouse, ashram or hostel during the Kumbh.
2. Carry a torch and a medical kit that carries important medicines for fever, cough & cold and an antibiotic cream for injuries and burns.
3. Carry a list of hospitals and their telephone numbers, along with that of police and emergency services.
4. Take bath in ghaats authorised by the district administration & take care of your belongings.
5. If you are travelling by your own vehicle, then park it at the place of our stay or at government authorised parking areas only.

6. Please follow all the rules, regulations and guidelines for COVID-19 issued by Government of India, and Government of Uttarakhand .

7. Please wear a mask at all times.

8. Kindly maintain the social distance during the Haridwar Kumbh Mela 

Don’ts

1. Don’t carry extra baggage including food, clothes & other valuables. Just carry essential items only.
2. Don’t take a dip alone, ensure that you have family members, cousins, friends, etc. to accompany you.
3. Don’t go to the waters of river Ganga beyond the permissible area.
4. Don’t throw any kind of items, especially plastic, in the river Ganga as it pollutes it.
5. Don’t go to crowded areas if you are ill or suffering from any severe disease.

Famous Attractions at Haridwar Kumbh Mela 2021

Some of the famous attractions of Haridwar Kumbh are sadhus or sages from various akharas who take out their processions, sages clad in orange clothes, wearing rudraksh necklaces and some carrying weapons such as swords, maces, Trishools (trident), damaru (small palm-sized drum). One can also see various religious dances and dramatics based on stories from vedas and puranas. Then there are bhajan-mandalis (groups of people carrying musical instruments) who sing bhajans, songs dedicated to various gods and goddesses which makes the environment full of spirituality. Last but not the least, come the Naga Sadhus, known for not wearing any clothes except a ‘langot’ (napkin to hide their main body part) Some of the famous akharas are Panchayati akhara, Juna akahara, Niranjani akhara, Nirwani akhara, Nirmohi akharas to name a few.

Shahi Snan Dates of Maha Kumbh Mela 2021 in Haridwar, Uttarakhand  

First Shahi Snan
11 March 2021 (Mahashivratri)

Second Shahi Snan
12 April 2021 (Somvati Amavasya)

Third Shahi Snan
14 April 2021 (Mesh Sankraanti & Baisakhi)

Fourth Sahi Snan
27 April 2021 (Chaitra Poornima)

Please follow all the rules, regulations and guidelines for COVID-19 issued by Government of India, and Government of Uttarakhand.

As Government of Uttarakhand issued travel advisory ( Due to Covid 19) during the Kumbh Mela kindly follow it.

Haridwar Kumbh Mela 2021 Online Registration portal link

You can make registration on official kumbh Mela website here – https://dsclservices.org.in/kumbh/

Kumbh Mela 2021 Emergency Helpline Numbers -– +91-1334 222725, +91-1334 222726, +91-1334 222727

This is a great time for travelers from all over the globe to explore the great cultural heritage of India.