Events and Festivals
Several festivals are celebrated in Haridwar. Haridwar, one of the oldest and holiest pilgrim centers of India , is also the place that plays host to around eight to ten million devotees during the Kumbh melas. The history of the Kumbh Mela dates back to the creation of the Universe and as a show of their faith, Hindus from all over the country assemble to take a holy dip in the Ganges .

All hindu festivals are celebrated with utmost gaiety and pomp in Haridwar. But when one thinks of festivities and fairs of Haridwar, the first thing that comes to mind is the Kumbh Mela. Haridwar is one of the four places where kumbh mela is held every twelve years. The astrological date of kumbh at Haridwar falls when Venus and Jupiter coincide with Aquarius and the Sun and Moon are on the Aries and Sagittarius, respectively. Apart from Kumbh ,Ardh Kumb Mela is also held here,every six years.

Kumbh Mela :
The history of the Kumbh Mela dates back to the creation of the Universe. Mythological legends state that the Gods and the Demons once churned the oceans to retrieve the Kumbh (pot) containing the nectar of immortality (Amrit). As Dhanwantari, the divine healer appeared with the `Kumbh' containing nectar in his palms, a great fight followed between the Gods and the Demons to wrest the pitcher. During the fierce battle in the sky, a few drops of nectar fell at four different places: Prayag ( Allahabad ), Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain .

Since then these four sacred places have witnessed the Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh fairs periodically, every twelfth and sixth year when pilgrims and devotees converge to commemorate this divine event. According to belief of astrologers during this battle the planet too played an important role. In fact, the Kumbh fair takes place when the Jupiter enters Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries.

This planetary position is said to medicate the waters of the Ganga and turn it into nectar on these days thereby attracting millions to purify their inner self through holy bathing rituals. Spiritually position of planet during the Kumbh fair is good for concentration and meditation. Held every twelve years, the Kumbh fair has come down to us through time as an institution of great significance. It is a unique event that blends religious and social features alike. With the entire atmosphere saturated with chiming bells, incense and flower fragrance, Vedic hymns and mantras… the Maha Kumbh experience can only be described as pure enchanting for the soul.

Ardh Kumbh:
The Ardh Kumbh is held every six years. Every year there are reports of stampedes and people dying ,due to the heavy crowd during these melas, so if you are planning to go there during the mela ,please take necessary precautions and do ensure your accommodation well in advance .