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According
to astrologers, the 'Kumbh Fair' takes place when the
planet Jupiter enters Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries.
According to mythology, 'Devas' (Gods) and 'Asuras'
(Demons) churned the ocean to obtain Nectar and when the
coveted 'Kumbha' (pitcher) of Nectar (Amrita) which gave
immortality was obtained from the depths of ocean, one of
the 'Devas' whisked away the 'Kumbha' from the 'Asuras'
and evading from the 'Asuras', stopped at four places viz.
Hardwar, Allahabad (Prayag), Nasik and Ujjain before he
finally arrived into the safety of heaven. A few drops of
Nectar are supposed to have spilled over on the water at
these four places and sages, saints and pilgrims started
periodically to flock to each of these 'Tirthas' to
celebrate the divine event. In fact , it is a unique event
that blends religious and social features alike.
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Haridwar (The Gateway to God...) : Haridwar stands as
the gateway to the four pilgrimages of Uttaranchal.
Geographically and geological, Haridwar, lying at the feet
of Shiva's hills, i.e., Shivaliks, in the Haridwar
district of Uttaranchal Pradesh, is a doorway. Suryavanshi
prince Bhagirath performed penance here to salvage the
souls of his ancestors who had perished due to the curse
of sage Kapila. The penance was answered and the river
Ganga trickled forth form Lord Shiva's locks and its
bountiful water revived the sixty thousand sons of king
Sagara. In the traditional of Bhagirath, devout Hindus
stand in the sacred waters here, praying for salvation of
their departed elder. It is doorway to the sources of the
Ganga and the Yamuna, 3000 to 4500 meters up into the
snowy ranges of the central Himalayas. The 'Aarti' worship
of the Ganga after sunset and the floating 'dia' (lamp) is
a moving ritual.
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