Astrological Significance - Kumbhayoga

The demigods the Sun, Jupiter and Moon all played an important role in the eluding the Ambrosia from the demons. Therefore the Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela is also fixed on the Astrological significance of these three planets

Calculating the dates of the Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela

It is held that the Mela takes place only in the Kumbhayoga. This astronomical conjunction is said to be of four kinds, each of them being associated with one of the four sacred places. Without precise reference -although some verses mentioned below are supposed to be from the Puranas and often quoted to show the validity of holding the Kumbha Mela at the specified times and places- there is no consensus on the matter. These four Kumbhayogas are given as below

• When Jupiter is in the sign of Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries, the Kumbha Parva is held at Haridwar
• The Kumbha Parva is held at Prayaga when Jupiter enters Aries and the Sun and the Moon are in Capricorn on the new moon day of the month of Magha
• When the Sun and the Jupiter lie in Leo, the Kumbha Parva is celebrated on the banks of river Godavari at Nasik
• The Kumbha Parva is celebrated at Ujjain, when Jupiter is in Leo and the Sun enters Aries

Besides these, there are other alternative astronomical conjunctions that lead to the holding of Kumbha (Kumbh) at Prayag, Nasik and Ujjain

• When the Sun is in Capricorn and Jupiter transits into Taurus on the new moon day in the month of Magha, the Kumbha Parva is held at Prayaga
• When the Jupiter, Sun and the Moon are in Cancer and it is Amavasya (new moon day), the Kumbha Parva is celebrated at Nasik
• When Saturn is in Libra and the Sun and Moon dwell together on the new moon day of Vaisakha, the salvation bestowing Kumbha Parva occurs at Ujjain