'Ujjain' means the 'city of victory'. Located on the western boundary of Madhya Pradesh, Ujjain is 55 km from Indore. It is situated on the banks of Shipra River and was, once on a flourishing trade route to Mesopotamia and Egypt. It is said that King Shiva of Avanti, on gaining victory over the ruler of Tripuri on the banks of the Narmada, changed the name of his capital, Avantipura to Ujjayini.

The origin of the Kumbh Mela dates back to the conflict between the gods and the demons over the possession of the "Amrit Kumbh", or the pot of immortal nectar. It appeared as a result of the churning of the milky ocean jointly by the gods and the demons. During the tussle, some drops of the amrit splashed from the pitcher fell at four places. These four places were: Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain, the sacred sites for the Kumbh Mela. Since then, when the auspicious planets align in the same position, devotees come together to commemorate this divine feature. Kumbh Mela takes place every three years in rotation in the four sacred places.

The Simhastha Kumbh Mela, would take place at Ujjain after a gap of 12 long years. It is believed that the holy dip washes away all the sins and the cycle of rebirth and death ends as the soul becomes divine.

Upcoming Kumbh Mela
The entire period of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela spanning April 05 to May 05, 2004, is considered auspicious with five main bathing dates. The unique sight of ash-smeared sadhus, the melange of priests, sadhus and devotees offers a truly remarkable spectrum-totally distinct in the world.

The Auspicious Bathing Dates:

• Monday, 05th April '04 : Purnima
• Monday, 19th April '04 : Krishna Amavasya
• Thursday, 22nd April '04 : Shukla Tritiya
• Saturday, 24th April '04 : Shukla Panchmi
• Tuesday, 04th May '04 : Shahi Snan - Purnima

Kumbh Mela

» Prayag near Allahabad » Trimbakeshwar near Nasik » Ujjain » Haridwar near Rishikesh » Maha Kumbh Mela » Purna Kumbh Mela » Ardh Kumbh » Magh Mela