2016 Ujjain Simhastha
Kumbh Mela 2016 was held in the ancient religious city of Ujjain, India, along the banks of the Kshipra River. Approximately five crores pilgrims from around the world participated in this month-long event to take a holy bath. The event is held in the city every 12 years as part of a four-legged rotation of the Kumbh festival, with the other three being Haridwar, Allahabad, and Nashik.
Significance
Kumbh Mela 2016 was held in the ancient religious city of Ujjain, with the gathering of millions of pilgrims{{cite news |title=Simhastha Kumbh Mela begins in Ujjain today |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/simhastha-kumbh-mela-begins-in-ujjain-today-2765143/ |access-date=1 December 2024 |publisher=The Indian Express |date=22 April 2016 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Prasad |first1=Pallavi |title=In Photos: Devotees Gather At Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2016 in Ujjain |url=https://www.thequint.com/photos/in-photos-hindus-gather-at-simhastha-kumbh-mela-2016-ujjain#8 |access-date=1 December 2024 |publisher=TheQuint |date=23 April 2016 |language=en}} who took a holy bath in the Kshipra River at Ramghat.{{cite news |last1=Vinayak |first1=Akshatha |title=Ujjain Kumbh Mela: Congregation of Religious Pilgrims |url=https://www.nativeplanet.com/travel-guide/ujjain-kumbh-mela-001969.html |publisher=nativeplanet.com |date=26 April 2018 |language=en}} Kumbh Mela 2016 was organised in Ujjain and was also called Simhasth Maha Kumbh.{{cite news |title=Raja Mandala: Message from the Maha Kumbh |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/ujjain-kumbh-mela-madhya-pradesh-narendra-modi-governement-2792385/ |access-date=1 December 2024 |publisher=The Indian Express |date=10 May 2016 |language=en}} Ujjain Sinmasth is part of the four-legged cycle of Kumbh, with the other three being Haridwar, Allahabad, and Nashik, where the festival is held after the turn of every 12 years.{{cite news |title=Ujjain banks on green Kumbh to turn smart |url=https://www.governancenow.com/views/columns/ujjain-banks-green-kumbh-turn-smart |access-date=1 December 2024 |publisher=Governance Now |date=3 May 2016 |language=en}}
Uniqueness
Kumbh Mela 2016 was unique due to the participation of new akhara of transgender members.{{cite news |last1=Pattanaik |first1=Devdutt |title=How a new akhara of transgendered people stole the spotlight at the Ujjain Kumbh |url=https://scroll.in/article/809995/how-a-new-akhara-of-transgendered-people-stole-the-spotlight-at-the-ujjain-kumbh |access-date=30 November 2024 |publisher=Scroll.in |date=29 June 2016 |language=en}}
Important Dates
Kumbh Mela 2016 had the following auspicious days-{{cite news |last1=Gautam |first1=Shikha|title=Your quick guide to Ujjain Kumbh Mela 2016 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/things-to-do/your-quick-guide-to-ujjain-kumbh-mela-2016/articleshow/51894584.cms |access-date=1 December 2024 |publisher=The Times of India |date=25 April 2016}}
- Full Moon on 22 April 2016
- Vaishakh Krishna Amavasya on 6 May 2016
- Shukla/Akshay Tritya on 9 May 2016
- Shukla Panchami and Ekadashi on 11 and 17 May 2016
- Purnima on 21 May 2016