Kumbh is a Hindu Religious festival celebrated every 12 years in different places of India (Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik & Ujjan). It comes from very old dates when Devta (God)-Asuras (Demons) mega batten (mahasangram) occurred. Region behind this mega batten was Amrit Kalash which was recovered from Samudramanthan (During the churning of the primordial sea). 

Churning of Ocean

In the process of Samudra Manthan, Mount Mandaranchal was used as churning rod and Vasuki, the King of Serpents, became the churning rope. On one side the gods held the tail of Vasuki while on the other hand the demons held the head end of the snake and they pulled on it alternately causing the mountain to rotate which in turn churned the ocean. Nevertheless, once the mountain was placed on the ocean, it began to sink. Then in the form of turtle Kurma, came to rescue the gods and asuras and supported the mountain on his shell back. In Samudra Manthan various kinds of herbs were cast into the ocean and fourteen Ratnas or treasures were produced from the ocean and were divided between Asuras and Gods.




These Ratnas were Lakshmi, the Goddess of Fortune and Wealth or Vishnu`s (God of Hindu) consort; Kaustabha, the most valuable gem in the world; Parijat, the divine flowering tree with blossoms that never fade or wilt; Varuni, goddess and creator of alcohol; Dhanvantari, the doctor; Chandra, the moon; Kamadhenu, the wish-granting divine cow and Kalpavriksha, the wish-granting tree and Airavata, the elephant of Indra. The names of some of the other Ratnas are Apsaras, various divine nymphs like Rambha, Menaka, Punjikasthala, etc; Uchhaishravas, the celestial seven-headed horse; Sranga, the bow of Vishnu; Shankha or Vishnu`s conch and Amrita the nectar for immortality.