Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh (half Kumbh) fairs. Kumbh fair is  one of the largest religious fair of India and Hindoos. It is also one of the greatest and the holiest of all events. This falls at four places - Haridwaar, Prayaag,  Naasik, and Ujjain on the banks of four rivers - Gangaa at Haridwaar, Trivenee or Sangam at Prayaag, Godaavaree at Naasik, and Kshipraa (Sipraa) at Ujjain. It starts from Makar Sankraanti day, on January 14 and ends on Mahaa Shiv Raatri day in February.

It falls every three years at each of the four places, returning to each of the four locations every 12 years. An Ardh-Kumbh, falls after 6 years of the Kumbh or Poorn Kumbh only at two places - Haridwaar and Prayaag, because it falls only where Gangaa River flows. This nexus of cosmic energy converges every 144 years bringing dramatic changes in the Destiny of humanity. This event is commemorated every three years held at each Teerth in turn. But the biggest one is held every 12 years and is called Mahaa-Kumbh.

History

The history of these fairs is traceable to 7th century BC, but the written mention of it is found in the records of a Chinese traveler Huaan Tsaang during the reign of King Harsh Vardhan (644 AD). Its next mention is in 1822, when the Melaa was empty because of the Melaa tax. Information on the number of pilgrims then can be found for 1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1989 and 2001.

City                Mahaa Kumbh    Ardh Kumbh       Months
Prayaag           2013                   2007              Jan-Feb
Haridwaar       2010                   2004             Mar-Apr 
Ujjain             2016                   2010              Apr-May 
Naasik            2015                   2009             Jul-Sep

1998 (Apr 14)                       Kumbh Melaa  at Haridwaar
2001 (Jan)                           Ardh Kumbh Melaa   in Prayaag
2003 (Jul 27-Sep 7)            Kumbh Mela             in Naasik
2004 (Mar-Apr)                  Ardh Kumbh Melaa in Haridwaar
2007 (Jan 3-Feb 26)           Ardh Kumbh Mela     at Prayaag
2016  (April 22-May 21)      Mahaa Kumbh Melaa

The Legend

The legend says that once Daitya Raaj Bali defeated Indra and took over his kingdom and started living there. Now Indra got worried and went to their Guru Brihaspati Jee along with other Devtaa. He advised them to seek guidance from Vishnu, so all came to Vishnu. Vishnu said - "At this time the stars are not favorable to you, so you go and extend friendship with Daitya. Both churn the Sea and take out Amrit. After drinking Amrit you will be invincible and then nobody will be able to defeat you. I will help you in this endeavor." So Indra went to Bali, extended friendship and made him agreed to churn the sea. Bali was very happy to hear the proposal that Ditya will also get the share in Amrit.

Both made the Mandaraacha Parvat as the churning rod, Vaasuki Naag as churning rope and started churning the Sea. Vishnu supported the Parvat by assuming Kashchap Avataar and keeping it on his back. When Amrit came out both started quarreling for it. So again Vishnu assumed Mohinee Avataar and distributed Amrit to both, but he did not give Amrit to Daitya, only to Devtaa. In the meantime Raahu Daitya guessed this trick of Mohinee and he sat in the row of Devtaa to drink Amrit. As Mohinee gave him Amrit, Devtaa recognized him as Daitya and shouted that he was a Daitya. Immediately Mohinee kept the Amrit pitcher down, took His Chakra and cut his neck.

Immediately Garud picked the pitcher and flew in the sky. Some Daitya also followed him to snatch the pitcher, but he continuously flew till he came back to Vishnu. During this continuous flight he got tired so he kept the pitcher at four places - at Haridwaar, Prayaag, Naasik, and Ujjain. In the process of keeping and picking it up, a few drops spilled from the pitcher. His flight took 12 years and he stayed at these placed every three years.

Since then when the planets align in the same position pilgrims gather at these places to commemorate the event and to get the effect of Amrit every three years. This even coincide with one round of Brihaspati (Jupiter) through the Zodiac.

In Prayaag it takes place when Brihaspati is in Vrishabh Raashi (Taurus), while the Sun enters Makar Raashi (Capricorn). The major bath takes place when the Moon enters Makar Raashi.