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AUGUST 2015 | WWW.WISHESH.COM WWW.WISHESH.COM | AUGUST 2015 48 A ccording to a special combination of zodiacal positions of Bṛhaspati (Jupiter), the Sun and the Moon, each site’s celebration dates are calculated well in advance. When the Sun is in Aries (Mesh Rashi) and Jupiter in Aquarius, it is celebrated in Haridwar. When Jupiter is in Taurus (Vrishabha Rashi) and the Sun is in Capricorn (Makar Rashi), then Kumbh Mela Is celebrated at Prayag. Kumbh Mela is celebrated in Ujjain when Jupiter and the Sun are in Scorpio (Vrishchik Rashi). It is said that when the Jupiter and the sun falls on the zodiac sign, Leo; then Kumbh Mela is celebrated at Trimbakeshwar in Nasik. The ritual Ritual of bathing at the banks of the river where Kumbh Mela is held is the major event of the festival. Religious discussions, devotional singing, mass feeding of holy men and women and the poor, and religious assemblies are among the other activities held during the event. Two major groups seen at Kumbh Mela include Sadhus and Pilgrims. Sadhus with vibhuti ashes on their skin and draped with saffron sheets are seen during Kumbh Melas. Some naga sanyasis, may not wear cloths, even during winter. Darshan is an important part of the Kumbh Mela where people make the pilgrimage to the Kumbh Mela to see and experience both the religious and secular aspects of the event. Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2015 S imhastha Kumbh Mela is celebrated at Trimbakeshwar in Nasik when Jupiter and the Sun falls on the zodiac sign, Leo. On 14 July 2015, Simhastha (Nashik) Kumbh Mela begun with the traditional ceremony of hoisting the flags and thousands of people taking holy dips in the holy Godavari river. The two bathing ghats, Ramkund and Kushavarta holy reservoirs appreciate faith and belief of devotees. Nasik Kumbh Mela Schedule of Events 14th July 2015 (Tuesday): Flag hoisting of the main ceremony at Ram Kunda 14th August 2015 (Friday): Flag hoisting of the Akhara at Sadhugram 26th August 2015 (Wednesday): Shravan Shudha- First Snan 29th August 2015 (Saturday): Shravan Purnima - First Shahi Snan at Ram Kunda 13th September 2015 (Sunday): Bhadrapad Amavasya - Second Shahi Snan/ Main bathing day 18th September 2015 (Friday): Bhadrapad Shukla Panchmi (Rushipanchami) - Third Shahi Snan 25th September 2015 (Friday): Bhadrapad Shukla Dwadashi - Vaman Dwadashi Snan Maha Godavari Pushkaram 2015 Cover Story Cover Story
