Location: Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain or Nasik
Dates: vary widely occurs when Jupiter enters Aquarius and Sun enters the Aries. The event last for a month.
The most prominent religious assemblage on earth happens four times every 12 years, when 10 million Hindu pilgrims come together to take a ceremonial dip in the holy Ganges, Shipra and Godavari rivers.

Cities for the assemblages hopscotch across the plains between Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik, and Ujjain, where it is believed that a drop of the nectar of immortality were spilled from his Kumbh (pitcher) during a battle between demi-gods and demons.

Believe your eyes…
The Story of Kumbh Mela is based upon the legend that long long ago, Gods and Demons made a temporary agreement to work together in obtaining amrita (the nectar of immorality) from the milky ocean, and to share this equality.
However, when the kumbh (pitcher) containing the amrita appeared, the gods, being fearful of what would happen if the demons drank their share of the nectar of immorality, forcibly seized the pot. For 12 days and 12 nights (equivalent to 12 human years) the gods and demons fought in the sky for the possession of this pot of amrita. In the attempt to keep the nectar from falling into the hands of the demons, the gods hid it in the four places on the earth, Prayag (Allahabad), Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik. At each hiding places, a drop of immorality nectar spilled from the pot and landed on the earth. These four places since believed to have acquired mystic power.

The Greatest show on earth…
The Kumbh Mela a.k.a Pot fair is the greatest of the North Indian melas and it has exerted a mesmeric influence over the mind and the imagination of the ordinary Indian from time immemorial…
During the Kumbh Mela, it is believed that the waters at the four locations turn into the nectar, cleaning the sins of your lifetime as well as those dating back 88 generations; therefore it is mandatory to bathe in the rivers on days that are deemed auspicious.

The Modern beginning of the Ancient Kumbh…
The ascetics and the Sadhus are undoubtedly the stars for whom the event is the single social event in a very unsociable existence.
The most conspicuous sadhus are the Nagas or naked sadhus. The Nagas smear their bodies with ash and sport long tangled hair. Solitary by nature, these holy men come in their thousands to Kumbh Mela, camping in groups symbolizing their different akharas or orders (Shiva, Rama etc.)

Kumbha Mela has gained international fame as “the world’s most massive act of faith.” To understand the significance and the importance that it plays in the spirituality of India….be a part of this religious extravaganza.

Nisha Khan

Spiritual India is the beam of religious integrity, utmost devotion, and the silent exhibitionist of the time-honored traditions. The geography is diverse enough to earn an identity of a sub-continent that accommodates people from all faiths and believes. This makes India a terrain of myriad festivals, colorful fairs, and ultimately a grand carnival that has no end.
Every month is celebrated for assorted reasons and it just seems like Indians need a spiritual motivation to celebrate with great pomp. The month of June gets a colorful touch every year after the first drops of monsoon to celebrate the much anticipated festival of Ganga Dussehra.

Ganga Dussehra 2011

The ten-day festival is a fascinating celebration of beliefs, devotions, and is dedicated to the Goddess Ganga of Gangotri Dham.

This year the sacred festival will commence from the 2^nd of June and will come to an end on the 11^th of June. However the main festival will be celebrated on the 11^th of June to eradicate the sins of lifetime.

Ganga Dussehra Importance

The festival has high importance according to the Hindu scriptures and Mythology.

The sacred texts says that it’s essential to perform a dip in the river Ganga, and do donations to eliminate all the sins committed over several lifetimes. The major attractions of Ganga Dussehra are the fairs of Chardham and the Patang Utsav of Mathura.

Rationalists versus Spiritualists

Rationalists say is it possible that a bath in water can wash our sins though it can wash the germs of our body but not sins. Sins are bad karma and we have to face our fate for the bad karmas performed.

Spiritualists say that the Vedic Science that is the base of all modern science states the importance of holy river Ganga. The ancient scriptures have declared that Goddess Ganga started her journey on earth to eradicate the sins of every mortal.

Rationalist’s points out that it means that Ganga Dussehra or Chardham yatra is a license to humans to commit sins and wash way by taking bath in the river Ganga. In simple the festival is a promoter of sins like let us commit bad karma we can wash it way next year.

Spiritualists say this gives a new birth to all souls makes it pure and gives it the direction of bliss to attain salvation.

I on a neutral ground would say both are right on their grounds so let the world run the way it is running.

How to Reach Chardham, Haridwar

Contact any travel operator to make your itinerary for the spiritual sojourn
People can hire private vehicle, bus services or railway services to reach the abode of Gods
Religious enthusiasts who cannot walk but has a desire to embark on the journey to the gateway of heaven must opt for Chardham Yatra by helicopter.
To avail beyond imagination discount of 20% on Chardham yatra and Ganga Dussehra book with Go Heritage India Journeys.

Ganga Dussehra a religious proceeding to wash way sins or a license to commit free sins?

Biplav Deb

India-the Land of Kings is a journey across the 5,000 years of spectacular history and culture..

Travelling to India is always an exhilarating experience whether by horse carriage, a Mercedes or by the comfort of the Royal India Trains, but experiencing India your own private plane is another gorgeous journey.
Design your own itinerary that will fly over the traffic jams and dusty roads around the pearls of India, saving much of your time and making the most of your days at each incredible destination.
Classy journey is what you can expect on this private plane tour to India for travel geeks who love nothing more than comfort…..

Taj Mahal by Private Plane
For the Bollywood film industry, which conquered the world market in recent years, tourists have the opportunity to visit the 22 UNESCO world heritage sites, one of them being the Taj Mahal – world-famous tomb.
But if you have a fancy for flying high, then Taj Mahal private plane is a game drive for you. Imagine spreading wings over the magnificent white marble Taj Mahal standing like a bulbous beacon, would surely blow you over.

Char Dham by Helicopter
Discover the well kept secrets of the Holy lands of Char Dham via the private plane luxury.
Char Dham by Helicopter will not only ease your travel but you can also enjoy the natural bounties from every nook and corner. The complete helicopter tour to Char Dham gives the most brilliant and cherishing experience to the pilgrims. Take the advantage of the helicopter service and make the most out of your tour.

A private plane tour adds yet another dimension to luxury travel to India and allows discerning visitor’s easy access to India’s most breathtaking cities without the stress of commercial flights and time consuming, dusty road journeys.

Nisha Khan

A spiritual town of, Rishikesh is located at an altitude of 1,360 ft. It is a gateway to the holy Char Dham Yatra and also the mighty Himalayas.

Rishikesh in many ways can be considered a micron of the Hindu world. The area around Rishikesh is sometimes referred to Dev Bhoomi- the ‘Land of God’s, as there are number of important pilgrimages place that are located in the region. Rishikesh is regarded as the gateway of to four sacred places, known as four abodes or Char Dham. These are Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamnotri and Gangotri. The significance of these places of pilgrimage, and of Rishikesh itself, is indicated by the fact that during the pilgrimage season (May to October) the population of Rishikesh increases tenfold.

As well as being necessary place en route to the Char Dham Yatra route, Rishikesh itself is regarded as a tritha. There are three main reasons for this.
First, there are references to Rishikesh in both the Puranic and Epic Literature.

Secondly, Rishikesh is associated with the religious practices of many holy men. It is also sometimes referred to as the city of saints and scholars, as traditionally has been place where individual have come to practice austerities.

Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, Rishikesh is located on the banks of the sacred river Ganga. Many of the banks around the place are lined with steps (ghats). Many locals sprinkle themselves with Ganag jal, to purify themselves.

Nisha Khan

Haridwar means Door of Gods. It is a gateway to the mighty Himalayas…….

It is believed that three Gods-Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh-had chosen to appear at Haridwar. Pleased with the penance of Raja Shwetu, Brahma appeared before him and honored him by saying a Brahma Kund, which was later named Brahmapuri after Lord Brahma.

Lord Vishnu set his feet at Har-ki-Pauri, where the holy Ganga touches the feet of Lord Vishnu ad this place got the name Haridwar.

Lord Shiva- furious with Daksha Prajapati, his father-in-law, for being the cause of the self-immolation of sati-descended from Kailash and destroyed Daksha at Daksheshwara, which later became Shivapuri Neel Parbhat and Haridwar.

Haridwar- a gateway to the Char Dham Yatra has been a scared place for pilgrimage since ancient times. Then called Mayapuri on account of sacrifices of Sati, it is also known as Ganga
dwar and Tapovan. Even more ancient is the name Kapilsthan for Haridwar, as this place is believed to be the place where ancient ancestors of Bhagirath were burnt by the curse of Sage Kapila.

Lord Rama’s brother Bharat is said to have passed across this area to Rishikesh, where he performed tapasya. It is also believed that the Pandavas, on their way to the Himalayas, had journeyed through this place.
According to devotes, Haridwar is one of the four places-the others being Ujjain, Nasik and Allahabad-where the drops of amrit fell after it emerged out of the churning of the ocean.

Chinese traveler Huen Tsang who had visited this place many centuries ago, described Haridwar as the centre of Hindu culture.

Nisha Khan