Kumbha Mela sequence

[Luis Gonzalez-Reimann]

At 04:09 PM 01/14/2001 +0100, Artur Karp wrote:

>It's not clear to me in what sequence the Melas take place in the four
>cities (Allahabad, Hardwar, Ujjain, Nasik). Allahabad - and then?
_______________

The sequence is:

PrayAga (Allahabad)
Nasik
Ujjain
HaridvAra (Hardwar)

It is determined astrologically, by the position of Jupiter in the "fixed"
constellations (ie. sidereal positions).

PrayAga-------- Jupiter in Taurus (with Sun and Moon in Capricorn)
Nasik------------ Jupiter in Leo (with Sun and Moon in Cancer)
Ujjain------------ Jupiter in Scorpio (when the Sun enters Libra)
Hardwar------ Jupiter in Aquarius (when the Sun enters Aries)

Jupiter has a 12-year cycle,  so it takes place in a different site every 3
years.

See Kane, History of Dharmasastra, vol. 5, pt. 1: 287.

Best,

Luis Gonzalez-Reimann
University of California, Berkeley