Religious Practices

The Religious experience in the Khumba Mela include several special Poojas, Yajnas, Murthi-Stapanas, Mandir nirmanas, Japas, Mantra-upadesha and meditation sessions

The Kalpavási can choose from any of the approaches to Hindu religion as a form of worship during the Khumba(Kumbh) Mela and any of the thirty million demi-gods in the Hindu religion can be invoked, praised, and prayed upon as per the belief and liking of the sadhaka

Special poojas like Guru-ganapathi Vandhana, Devi Aradhana, Mrutunjaya Japa and Homa, Vishnu Stuti, Surya Narayana Bhagwan Puja, etc are performed during the Khumba (Kumbh) Mela, which follow the traditional Sodasa Upachara method as prescribed by the Agama Shastras as well as many popular and unique Yajnas, Satras, Homas like Purta Kama Yajna, Maha Chandi Koma, Rudra Homa, Navagraha Homa, etc are also routinely performed depending on Kamya and Kamana of the Sadhaka. The merit gained by performing these Vedic rites of fire-oblation is believed to be extremely high during the Khumba (Kumbh) Mela

Many Devotees also choose to setup Murthis (Idols) or the Phallus shaped Shiva Linga at various holy places around the Khumba (Kumbh) Mela on auspicious days to gain religious merit. Some even establish Sahasra Linga Stapana (one thousand Phallus shaped Shiva Lingas), Laksha Linga Stapana (one hundred thousand Phallus shaped Shiva Lingas) Koti Linga Stapana (Ten Million Phallus shaped Shiva Lingas), etc

Many devotees or groups also take the Sankalpa of building temples in the holy cities or elsewhere or in the own towns & villages during the Khumba (Kumbh) Mela. Many Kalpavasis get initiated into special Japa and Mantra chanting VratĀs called Upadesha. These Upadeshas are given under strict Vedic rites accompanied by the difficult esoteric austerities and prescribed for each Japa and Mantropadesha

Many Hindu`s believe that performing the scared Samskaras during the Khumba (Kumbh) Mela is extremely meritorious

The Hindu Samskāras

The Hindu Samskāra are a series of sacraments, sacrifices and rituals that serve as rites of passage and mark the various stages of the human life and to signify entry to a particular Ashrama. All human beings, especially the Dvija (twice-born) are required to perform a number of sacrifices with oblations for gods, ancestors and guardians in accordance with the Vedic dictums for the fulfilment of Dharmic life (righteous life)

Sanskar is a commonly used prakŕut variant of the Sanskrit word 'Samskara' and signifies cultural heritage and upbringing in the modern Hindi language

Most Vedic rituals consist of Homa (fire sacrifices) of elaborate and intrinsic designs and complex methodology, accompanied by recitation of Vedas by a qualified Priests in honour of a particular demigod, fire offerings of various ingredients, gifts to be given in charity, presence of elders for blessings, amidst sanctified sacrificial grounds, sacred herbs and good omens. Each important milestone of a human life is to be celebrated by undertaking a particular Samskāra wherein the significance of that milestone is ritualistically conveyed

All Hindus follow the prescribed Samskāras as a part of their way of life such in milestones such as pregnancy, childbirth, education, marriage, and death. The major Samskāras are 16 in number; generally known as Shodhasa Samskaras (sixteen sacrements)

These are

• Garbhadhanam - gifting the womb
• Pumsavanam - ritual conducted in the third month of pregnancy
• Seemantam - the protection of the mother at the critical period of gestation
• Jatakarmam - development of the intellect of the child
• Namakaranam - naming ceremony
• Nishkramanam - taking the child for the first time outside the house
• Annaprasanam - food-giving ritual, which is the first time the child eats solid food
• Choodakaranam/Choulam/Mundanam ­– tonsuring, the ceremony of cutting child's hair for first time
• Karnavedham - ear-piercing
• Vidyarambham - commencement of studies
• Upanayanam – the second birth, given by the father. Accompanied by the Brahmopadesham (esoteric handing over of the secret Gayatri Mantra)
• Praishartham - the learning of Vedas and Upanishads
• Kesantham - getting rid of hairs on the face i.e., the first shave for the boy
  • Ritusuddhi - ceremony associated with a girl’s first mensturation
• Samavartanam - marks the end of  Brahmacharya (student hood)
• Vivaham – Marriage, wedding ceremony
  • Nishekam - the ritual associated with consummation of marriage
• Anthyeshti - last rites, the rituals associated with the after life