Kumbh Mela (the festival of the sacred Pitcher), is the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims where people bathe or take a dip in a sacred river. Held at Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik every four years by rotation, the Kumbh at Prayag/Allahabad is the most significant. Ardha ("Half") Kumbh Mela is held at only two places, Haridwar and Allahabad, every sixth year. It is held on the banks of the rivers - Ganga in Prayag, Saraswati in Haridwar, Godavari in Nashik and Shipra in Ujjain. A great fair is held on these occasions on the banks of the rivers. Devout believe that by bathing in the Ganges one is freed from their sins liberating them from the cycle of birth and death. A unique facet is that millions of people reach the place without any invitation. Mythology says the gods and the demons fought for the pot with the nectar of immortality. Lord Vishnu, disguising himself as an enchantress (Mohini), seized the nectar. While fleeing from the evil ones, Lord Vishnu passed the nectar on to his winged mount, Garuda. In the ensuing struggle, a few drops of the precious nectar fell on Allahabad, Nasik, Haridwar and Ujjain. Since then, the Kumbh Mela has been held in these places. The astrological sequence of the stars are the basis for the Kumbh locations. As Jupiter enters in Aquarius and Sun enters Aries the Kumbh is held at Haridwar, Jupiter enters Aries and Sun and Moon in Capricorn at Prayag and so on.

India 2017

A tree or a pole is used as the Main House, the place for the Seeker to start off the game. Before starting, voting is casted to determine one player who will act as the Seeker. The Seeker then must close his eyes and his position is facing towards the Main House. While counting the Seeker is forbidden to look to his left, right or behind him. If the Seeker is found to do so, other members can instruct the Seeker to recount from the beginning. If it is found that there is a player hiding beyond the designated playing area, then the player is ‘nullified’ and he then takes on the role as the Seeker. If the Seeker is successful in finding any one of the players he must call out the player’s name loudly and runs to the Main House and touches it with his fingertips, while simultaneously mentions the word “ibu” (‘mother’). This is to ‘nullify’ the status of the found player. The game is considered over after all the players are found.