Is Kumbh Mela Named after Kumbh Rashi? An Analysis

It is essential to highlight the reference to Kumbh Rashi in connection with the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar, Prayag, Nasik and Ujjain. This astronomical reference leads us back to the Rigvedic era when Daksha Prajapati conducted a Yajna on Phalguna Purnima in Kankhal, Haridwar.
Daksha Prajapati flourished during the Rigvedic era. His daughter, Sati, was married to Mahadeva Shiva. He conducted the significant Yajna in Kankhal Kshetra, Haridwar. According to the Mahabharata, Daksha performed the Hayamedha Yajna but did not extend an invitation to Shiva. Disheartened, Sati immolated herself during the Yajna. In his fury, Shiva dispatched his Ganas, Virabhadra and Bhadrakali, to punish Daksha.
Notably, the Parashara Tantra references a comet, ‘Kaliketu,’ that became visible just prior to Daksha’s Yajna, first appearing in the Anuradha, Jyeshtha, and Mula Nakshatras. Among the Rudra group comets, Kaliketu emerges 300 years and 9 months after Maniketu. From the east, along the ecliptic, with a head resembling the tip of a spear or trident, it traverses one-third of the sky to become visible on the horizon.
Indian astronomers designated comets based on their appearance. As a result, Halley’s Comet was referred to as Kaliketu, Maniketu, or Dhumaketu. This Kaliketu is indeed Halley’s Comet, which was observable in Anuradha, Jyeshtha, and Mula Nakshatras around August 11218 BCE (as simulated by Stellarium software version 19.2) and corresponds to the orbital description provided in the Parashara Tantra.
It is also noteworthy that a comet, “Maniketu,” was visible in the same Nakshatras 300 years and 9 months prior. Halley’s Comet was observable earlier in Anuradha, Jyeshtha, and Mula Nakshatras in December 11520 BCE. Thus, we can accurately ascertain that Daksha Prajapati’s Yajna took place in the year 11217 BCE, marking the Samvatsara, the first year of the five-year Yuga cycle. The full moon of the Phalguna month occurred on 29 November 11217 BCE, when the Sun and Jupiter were positioned in Kumbha Rashi (Aquarius).
The Yuga calendar of the Vedic era commenced in 13322 BCE, coinciding with the autumnal equinox occurring at Ashvini Nakshatra and the Sun being in Mesha Rashi (Aries). This is why the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar is celebrated when Jupiter enters Kumbh Rashi and the Sun enters Mesha Rashi. Consequently, the Kumbh Mela of Haridwar has its origins in the Yajna performed by Daksha Prajapati on 29 November 11217 BCE.
This explains why all Melas are referred to as Kumbh, although the Prayag Kumbh Mela is celebrated when Jupiter enters Vrishabh Rashi (Taurus) according to the Paitamaha Siddhanta and the Nashik Kumbh is celebrated when Jupiter enters Simha Rashi (Leo) according to the Brahma Siddhanta.
Image source for Kumbh mela: kumbhcampindia.com
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Vedveer Arya is a civil servant and an officer of 1997 batch of Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS). A postgraduate in Sanskrit from University of Delhi, he is author of 'The Chronology of India'.