KUMBH MELA
Dates of Ardh Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India, 2007 

January 03 to Feb 26, 2007. 

Kumbha Mela 
The largest religious gathering in the world. According to astrologers, the 'Kumbh Fair' takes place when the planet Jupiter enters Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries.
Kumbha (Kumbha means pot) Mela (means fair) is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage that takes place at the following four locations of India:
Prayag, Allahabad (in the state of Uttar Pradesh) at the confluence of three holy rivers - Ganga (Ganges), Yamuna and Saraswati
Haridwar (in the state of Uttar Pradesh) where the river Ganga enters the plains from Himalayas 
Ujjain (in Madhya Pradesh), on the banks of shipra river, and 
Nasik (in Maharashtra) on the banks of Godavari river. 

The pilgrimage occurs four times every twelve years, once at each of the four locations. Each twelve-year cycle includes the Maha (great) Kumbha Mela at Prayag, attended by millions of people, making it the largest pilgrimage gathering around the world.
Ardha Kumbha and Maha Kumbha are the occasions when millions of people gather to take holy dip in the sacred waters. This is main reason for one to attend the Maha Kumbha and the Ardha Kumbha festival. It is believed that a holy dip in sacred rivers during Maha Kumbh or Ardh kumbh takes human out of the circle of life and death and one attains Moksha. Devotees, saints/sadhus turn up in great number from all over the world to take a dip in the holy waters of rivers like the Ganges, Yamuna and the mythological Saraswati at Parayag (Sangam). According to traditions these holy rivers offers purity, wealth, fertility and wash away the sins of all those who take bath. 

Bathing Dates for Allahabad Ardha Kumbh 2007 

January 3rd 2007- Paush Purnima (Full Moon)

Last full moon of winter in the Hindu month of Paush.

January 14th 2007- Makar Sankranti 

Makar Sankranti is the first day of the big bathing days. 

January 23rd 2007- Vasant Panchami 

It is the fifth day of the bright half of the lunar month and the beginning of spring season in North India. People pray for bumper harvest on this auspicious day. 

February 2nd 2007- Magh Purnima

It is the full moon day in the month of Magha (January - February). It is the third day of the main bathing days. 

February 15th - 16th 2007 - Mahashivratri 

It is the day when Hindu devotees all over India worship Shiva, one of the trinity of Gods. It is the fourth day of the main bathing days
 

The Ardha Kumbha in the year 2007 will be held at Allahabad. We are providing brief information about how to reach Allahabad for the Ardha Kumbha Mela 2007. Allahabad (Prayag) is one of the most revered holy places for the Hindus. It is the place where the three great rivers- Ganga, Yamuna and the mythological Saraswati meet. The place where these three rivers meet is called as Sangam. Allahabad, being an important religious, educational and administrative center, is well connected to major cities of India by air, road and Rail. 

How to Reach Allahabad by Air

Though Allahabad has a domestic airport but there are flights connecting only a few cities. The nearest airport from Allahabad is Varanasi, which is connected to most of the Metro cities in India, including New Delhi, the capital of India.

How to Reach Allahabad by Rail /Train

Being situated on the main line of the Indian railways, there are direct trains for Allahabad from most of the major Indian cities. 

How to Reach Allahabad by Road

As Allahabad is located in the heartland of the great Indian plains, the road density is quite high in these parts. National Highways 2 and 27 pass through Allahabad. Here is a distance chart giving distance between Allahabad and other cities of India. 

Agra 433 KM
Kanpur 200 KM
Ayodhya 167 KM
Mumbai 1444 KM
Lucknow 204 KM
Calcutta 799 KM
Chennai 1790 KM
Patna 368 KM
Trivndrum 2413 KM
Delhi 643 KM
Udaipur 956 KM
Varanasi 125 KM
Jaipur 673 KM
for more detail........