Kumbh Mela – The Greatest Show on Earth

An episode from The Puranas tells us that during Samudra Manthan “Churning of ocean”, when Amrita (nectar of immortality) appeared during the churning , the devatas and the Asuras fought for 12 days and 12 nights in the sky when drops of the nectar fell at four places on earth. To commemorate this, the Maha Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years in those four places : Prayag (Allahabad), Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. Millions of people from all over the country and abroad come to take the Holy dip in the rivers in these places to get purified from all sins.


14 Jan 2010 Thu Makar Sankranti Snan - First Snan (bath)
15 Jan 2010 Fri Mauni Amavasya and Surya Grahan (Solar Eclipse) - 2nd Snan
20 Jan 2010 Wed Basant Panchmi Snan - Third snan
30 Jan 2010 Sat Magh Purnima Snan - Fourth Snan
12 Feb 2010 Fri Maha Shivratri - Pratham Shahi Snan - First Royal Bath
15 Mar 2010 Mon Somvati Amavasya - Dvitya Shahi snan - 2nd Royal Bath.
24 Mar 2010 Wed Ram Navmi - Fifth Snan
30 Mar 2010 Tue Chaitra purnima snan
14 Apr 2010 Wed Baisakhi - Pramukh Shahi Sanan
28 Apr 2010 Wed Shakh Purnima - snan

It is said that it is the largest gathering of faith anywhere on earth. In the last Kumbh Mela held in Allahabad in 2001, 60 million people visited. To manage such a gigantic mass of floating population is a monstrous task for the administration.

In the coming New Year 2010, we will be seeing this mega event taking place in front of our eyes in Haridwar starting 1st of January. 50 lakhs people are expected to visit Haridwar on main bathing dates. It is estimated that 5 crores devotees will be visiting Haridwar during the mela period. Government had already sanctioned 440 crores to Uttarakhand as declared by CM Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank in the India International Trade fair. 265 projects are planned for utilizing this money out of which 70 projects are completed. It is an opportunity to give thrust to the tourism industry and develop infrastructure for beautification of tourist spots and basic infrastructure. Street lighting work is being carried out at all major roads leading to the Mela site. The sewerage system in and around Haridwar is being revamped with 33kms of new sewer lines laid to serve the huge gathering during the Mela. All the major bathing ghats are renovated along with newly constructed ghats like Bairagi Ghat, Ganesh Ghat and Daksh Ghat.
Although many new developments are under progress, much needs to be done to cope with the challenges posed by this mammoth event.
The need for an efficient and foolproof security system is felt due to the terrorist attacks in the recent past. As a major portion of the people will be using the railways during the mela, security needs to be beefed up in all terminal stations linking Haridwar. A massive security upgrade package of Rs 23 crores sanctioned by Central Govt. for Commonwealth games will help during this event.31 police stations and 41 Police booths divided into 12 zones and 31 sectors will maintain law and order under DM, Kumbh Mela. There will be several foot over-bridges on the river at Har ki Pairi ghat, the venue of the mela so that the pilgrims can be better routed to and from the bathing ghats. Work on several river cleaning projects are being taken up by the Ganga Jal Board many of which are nearing completion.
For maintaining smooth flow of traffic all routes leading to the major ghats will be closed for general vehicular traffic. Parking facilities are planned at various places including Dakshdeep, BHEL, Dheerwali , Motichoor etc. The roads and highways leading to Haridwar will expect huge traffic and to address this a planned traffic diversion plan will be issued by the authorities.

Delhi to Haridwar Traffic Diversion Route
Purkaji Khanpur Laksar Dakshdeep Parking Place

Saharanpur to Haridwar Traffic Diversion Route
Bhagwanpur Imlikheda Dhanuri B.H.E.L. Dheerwali Parking Place

Bijnour to Haridwar Traffic Diversion Route
Mandawali Shyampur Kangadi(4.2 Km) Via River Road Lane Gauri Shankar Parking Place
Himachal to Haridwar Traffic Diversion Route
Dehradun Raiwala Motichoor Parking Place (Big Vehicle)

Dehradun Raiwala Saptsarowar Parking Place (Small Vehicle)


All the registered Ashrams and Akharas will be allocated designated areas for constructing makeshift tents to serve the devotees. Many NGOs and self help groups come here for the service of the poor and the needy. The Mela Management committee will ensure that devotees get the best hospitality they deserve.

It is only through proactive action by the administration and cooperation from the locals that will make this event a great success. Lastly, the Maha Kumbh Mela provides an opportunity to the citizens of Haridwar to take full advantage of the rare occasion to show their hospitality to the which will certainly go a long way in promoting the image of Uttarakhand as a developing state.

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