Kumbha Mela is "the world's most massive act of faith." It is believed that by bathing in the Ganges during Kumbh, one is freed from ones past sins (karma), and thus becomes eligible for liberation from the cycle of birth and death. According to astrological calculations, the Kumbha Mela is held every twelve years and begins on Makar Sankranti, the day when the sun and moon enter Capricorn and Jupiter enters Aries. The astrological configuration on Makar Sankranti is called " Kumbha snana­yoga" and is considered to be especially auspicious, as it is said that the passage from Earth to the higher planets is open at that time, thus allowing the soul to easily attain the celestial world.
For more information please visit www.kumbh.org / www.kumbhfestival.com