Kumbh

Kumbh is a three-year celebration on the banks of four rivers  in India: Gangaa in Haridwaar (UP), Trivenee at Allaahaabaad (Prayaag, UP), Godavaree at Naasik, and Kshipraa at Ujjain (MP) one by one. The biggest fair is held every 12 years, and Arddh Kumbh is every sixth year.

It is related to the story of Saagar Manthan. It is believed that when Shree Hari, in the form of Mohinee Avataar, was distributing Amrit to Devtaa and Daitya, Raahu Daitya identified Her cheating. He came silently and sat in the line of Devtaa in disguise of Devtaa between Soorya and Chandramaa Devtaa and drank some Amrit. 

Both Soorya and Chandramaa noticed this and pointed out to Shree Hari about it. Shree Hari immediately cut Raahu's head. But by then some Amrit had already been gulped by Raahu, that is why he did not die rather he got divided in two - head (Raahu) and tail (Ketu). 

In the meantime Shani Dev ran away with the pitcher of Amrit. Daitya also ran after him for the pitcher. He ran for 12 years. During these years he took rest at four places. Some Amrit spilled out of the pitcher in keeping and picking process of the pitcher in those places, thus they became holy; therefore Kumbh Melaa is celebrated at those four places every three years.

It is believed that since then Raahu is after Soorya and Chandramaa, and whenever he finds an opportunity (on Amaavasyaa - new moon, and Poornmaasee - full moon), he eats them. And those times are called eclipses - solar eclipse and lunar eclipse.

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