Kumbh Mela

The Kumbh Mela in Haridwar lasted from the 14th January to the 28th March, 2010. During three months an enormous tent city appeared in the outskirts, with temples, hospitals, food stalls and shops. Believers, saints, yogis, sick persons, beggars and curious from the whole world assembled in the tent city on the banks of the river Ganges. According to estimations of the authorities more than 50 million pilgrims moved after Haridwar during this time (1988 there were only 10 millions). On the 14th April, to the climax of the party, the royal bath – Shahi Snan – about 16.6 million people took a bath in the holy Ganga. In Hindu belief, the time during the Kumbha Mela is a particularly beneficial moment for a ritual bath. Since the water of the Ganges becomes, on account of the unique astrological constellation, during the three-months period the immortality nectar Amrit. Thats why millions of believers from all corners of the country make this holy pilgrimage to drink some drops of the holy nectar.