What is the truth behind kumbh mela?

[Leader]

What is the truth behind kumbh mela? How many times does it comes in a year and why are people so crazy about this mela? I have heard that this mela is almost 300 years old? Is it true?

 

[Greatindia]

well, there are types of kumbh melas, the normal one is celebrated every 3 years in haridwar and prayag. and the other types are ardh kumbh mela which is celebrated once in 6 years and purna kumbh mela which is celebrated once in 12 years. the maha kumbh mela is celebrated once in 144 years and it was last celebrated in 2001 with a crowd of over 60 million which was largest gathering recorded in the history anywhere in the world.

 

[rekhagupta]

well, there are types of kumbh melas, the normal one is celebrated every 3 years in haridwar and prayag. and the other types are ardh kumbh mela which is celebrated once in 6 years and purna kumbh mela which is celebrated once in 12 years. the maha kumbh mela is celebrated once in 144 years and it was last celebrated in 2001 with a crowd of over 60 million which was largest gathering recorded in the history anywhere in the world.

Okay, But which kumbh mela has more importance related to it? Is it the one that comes 3 years or the one which comes in 12 years? I have heard a lot about these melas but do not know the actual truth behind them. Though I am very much interested in going to theone that takes place in Allahabad.