Aquarius Mela 2025: The Mahakumba fair is currently being held in Prayagraj, where sages, monks, ascetics and devotees around the world are taking a holy dip in the holy Triveni Sangam. Some people are also seeing imagination, which is the period of spiritual retreat. The Kumbh Mela is considered a sacred opportunity for charity, salvation and liberation from sins. But do you know who started this grand religious gathering, which is now known as the world’s largest?
Although the Kumbh Mela is mentioned in the Vedic and Puranic texts, its formal organization in the form of a Grand Fair has been held responsible for King Harshvardhan. According to historians, at the age of 16 became a king, Harshvardhan started the tradition of Kumbh Mela. He was known to donate all his money to every Kumbh until he had anything left. This historian is documented by KC Srivastava in his book ‘History of History’.
Harshavardhana (590–647 AD) was an emperor of ancient India, which is known for the establishment of a strong empire in northern India except Punjab. He is considered as the last great emperor of India, who made Kannauj his capital and successfully united the entire northern region under a rule.
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In this way Emperor Harshvardhan donated his money
It is said that King Harshavardhana donated generously to Shraddraj. Before donating, he worshiped Lord Surya, Shiva and Mercury. After this, he donated to Brahmins, scholars, needy and Buddhist monks. In this process, he will empty his entire treasure, even donate his royal clothes. Some sources mention that Harshvardhan divided his money into four parts for the royal family, army/administration, religious money and poor.
First written details of Kumbh Mela
The mention of the Kumbh Mela is found in the Vedas and Puranas. According to him, the festival is held at the places where droplets of nectar from Amrit Kalash fell during Samudra Manthan. Historians believe that the written record of Kumbh Mela is 2000 years behind. The first historical reference comes from the Chinese traveler Zuanjang (Huen Tsang), who visited India during the reign of Emperor Harsha in the 6th century CE. He described a grand assembly in Kannauj, in which thousands of monks participated, and held the religious festival ‘Mahamaksha Harshad,’ every five years.
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