Ardha (Ardh) or the Half Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela

The Ardha (Ardh) or the Half Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela might have a result of intermixing of the Buddhist Religious Assemblies and the Hindu bathing festival and fairs. We find references of the King Harsha-Vardhana’s Religious Assemblies in the writings of the Chinese Traveler Hsüan-tsang

Many Indologists and Scholars of History believe that Harsha-Vardhana’s Assemblies that took place once in six years may have been the origin of the Ardha (Ardh) Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela at Prayaga / Allahabad. The later Kings of the region continued the practice of the bathing festivals once every six years; this was subsequently followed by the Ardha (Ardh) Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela by the Kings of Haridwar

For many centuries now, these two towns of Allahabad / Prayaga and Haridwar (Hara-Dwar) have been hosting the Ardha (Ardh) Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela. There is not much of a difference between the Maha or Poorna Kumbha (Kumbh) festivals and the Half Kumbha fairs, except for the fact that there are lesser intra-monastery activities viz. not many Akhadas (Akharas) conduct their elections, appointments, etc during the Ardha (Ardh) Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela

The Magha Melas and the Ardha (Ardh) or the Half Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela have provided many inputs to the existing rituals and Kalpavāsi Dharma over the centuries. King Harsha-Vardhana is believed to have donated all his personal and royal belongings at these gatherings. The traditional Kalpavāsis have followed in his footsteps and the MahaKalpavāsis engage in the ritual of Shayya Daan (Gifting of the Beddings) after completing twelve Kalpavāsas through the Magha Melas, Ardha (Ardh) Kumbha (Kumbh) Melas and the Maha Kumbha (Kumbh) Melas

The Shayya Daan symbolise the gifting away of even the beds of the Kalpavāsis, who after the twelve Kalpavāsa VratÀ pledge to live the rest of their life in the most ascetic, minimalistic and simplistic manner. This is a achieved only by the truly evolved minds, who get all the happiness and fulfillment that is required from within the Atman and no external tool is required for comfort or luxury. This Mahakalpavāsa VratÀ is not recommended to the normal folks

A brief account of the predecessor of the Ardha (Ardh) Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela and the subsequent Kalpavāsi ritual and ideological influence through Harsha-Vardhana’s efforts as narrated by Hsüan-tsang is given below

Harsha’s Religious Assemblies

After the ceremony at Kanuaj had closed amid these tragic incidents, the emperor, accompanied by the Chinese pilgrim, proceeded to Prayaga (Allahabad), where he used to celebrate another solemn festival at the end of every six years, at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna. All the vassal kings attended, and the king had already summoned there the followers of different religious sects, the poor, the orphan, and the needy for receiving gifts

Towards the west of the junction of the two rivers there was a great plain called “the Arena of charitable offerings,” as from very ancient times kings from different parts of India frequented this spot for the purpose of practicing charity. Here the emperor amassed his treasure and performed the ceremony, which lasted for about 3 months, and has bee vividly described by the biographer of Hiuen Tsang

“On the first day they installed the image of Buddha and distributed precious articles of the first quality and clothing of the same character

The second day they installed the image of Aditya-deva(Sun-god) and distributed in charity precious things and clothing to half the amount of the previous day

The third day they installed the image of Isvara-deva and distributed gifts as on the day before

The fourth day they gave gifts to 10,000 Buddhist Bhikkhus, each receiving 100 pieces of gold, one pearl, one cotton garment, various drinks and meats, flowers and perfumes

For the next twenty days gifts were bestowed upon the Brahmanas

For the next ten days alms were bestowed upon those who came from a distance to ask for charity

For the next month gifts were made to the poor, the orphans and the destitute

By this time the accumulation of five years was exhausted. Except the horses, elephants and military accoutrements, which were necessary for maintaining order and protecting the royal estate, nothing remained. The King even freely gave away his gems and goods, his clothing and necklaces, ear-rings, bracelets, chaplets, neck-jewel and bright head jewels

All being given away, he begged from his sister an ordinary second hand garment and having put it on, he paid worship to the Buddhas of the ten regions, and exulted with joy with his hands closed in adoration

This ceremony being over the assembled kings severally distributed among the people their money and treasure for the purpose of redeeming the royal necklaces, head jewels, court vestments, etc., and restored them to the king; and then after a few days these same things were again given away in charity, as before

Thus finished the remarkable ceremony which emperor Harsha-vardhana performed after the example of his ancestors, at the end of every sixth year, as he informed the Chinese pilgrim, this way the sixth of its kind during his rein. Shortly after this ceremony Hiuen Tsang returned home and the emperor took all possible steps to facilitate the journey