What Makes Kumbh Mela Part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List

What Makes Kumbh Mela Part
of UNESCO’s Intangible
Cultural Heritage List?
The largest human confluence of Hindu saints and devotees, Kumbh
Mela is the oldest religious fair of Hindus held after every twelve years
in one of the four sites, Nashik, Ujjain, Haridwar and Allahabad in
rotation. This world renowned fair sees millions of visitors from all over
India and world irrespective of religion who come to experience
the vivid beauty of Hindu culture and rituals. The magnanimity of
Kumbh Mela has left a mark on all stratas and cultures around the
world which is the reason this fair has been recognized as ‘Intangible
cultural heritage’ by UNESCO.
According to UNESCO, safeguarding intangible features of a culture
which includes rituals, chants, prayers, customs and practices adopted
by earlier generations, is far more important than preserving
monuments and buildings in order to retain the culture of a particular
segment of society. With the inclusion of the fair in Unesco’s cultural
heritage list, the popularity of Kumbh Mela Tour Packages is expected
to rise. Here are some top reasons which got Kumbh Mela the
recognition of Intangible Cultural heritage of India.

Mythological Significance
The practice of Kumbh Mela is attributed to a legend of Lord Vishnu
described in Mahabharata. According to this legend, drops of nectar
which Lord Vishnu was carrying in an earthen pot fell in river Ganga,
when he was trying to protect it from the Asuras as the nectar and
rendered the river with magical purifying powers. This is the primary
reason behind holding the fair on the banks of four rivers Ganga,
Shipra, Godavari and Yamuna and the confluence of three rivers Triveni
Sangam.
Customs and rituals
The observance of customs and rituals by the Sadhus during Kumbh
Mela is what lends richness to this festival. These centuries old customs
are passed on to the newer generations in a strategic way in which a
Guru teaches his disciples about the history behind the fair and also

provides them with the knowledge of various customs and chants. The
holy dip is the most important part of the fair which is said to cleanse a
person from all the sins and frees him from the cycle of rebirth. For this
reason thousands of Hindu devotees gather at the banks of the holy
rivers at sunrise to take the holy bath during Kumbh Mela.
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Discussions on Hindu religion
The fair also attempts to build an understanding of Hindu religion
among the masses. In fact, a large number of foreigners participate in
the fair to know in detail the various aspects of Hindu religion. During
this month long fair, sages and ascetics hold discussions on Hindu
religion and conduct an in-depth analysis of the religion through
discourses. The fair is a rare opportunity to see the Sadhus who have

enounced the material world and live in caves. These Sadhus come out
of their caves only to be a part of this religious event.
Astrological and Scientific relevance
One of the foremost things about the Kumbh Mela which garners
attention from all corners of the world is its alliance with astronomy
and science. The dates for the fair are determined by observing the
planetary positions. It is believed that when planet Jupiter enters a
particular astrological sign, the water and air of the four holy cities
Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain and Allahabad, acquire magical powers which
are known to cleanse a person of all his sins if he takes the holy dip in
the rivers on the auspicious days. The venue for the upcoming Kumbh
Mela is also decided by studying the position of planets in the
astrological signs.

Read Also: Major of Attractions of Upcoming Ardh Kumbh Mela 2019
Allahabad
Historical connotations
Kumbh Mela bears a strong relation with history as the fair is almost
eight hundred years old. The earliest record of Kumbh Mela was
discovered in the writings of seventh century Chinese traveler Hiuen
Tsang, who had witnessed the event during his travel to India with best
travel agents. According to him, several pilgrims along with kings,
saints, ministers and sages assembled on the banks of a river to take
the holy dip at the beginning of two month long festival.
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