The oldest foundation of the Kumbh Mela is portrayed in the Vedic writings of India as being developed from past days when the demons and the demigods created the nectar of immortality. It is stated that the demons and the demigods gathered on the coast of the milk ocean that is situated in the celestial area of the cosmos. The demons and the demigods came up with a plan to churn the milk ocean in order to create the nectar of immortality. Afterwards, they made an agreement to share the nectar evenly as soon as it was created.
The Mandara Mountain was utilized as the churning rod for churning the milk ocean and the king of serpents, Vasuki became the rope for churning. When the churning commenced, the Mandara Mountain started to submerge deep into the ocean and Vishnu incarnated as a mighty tortoise and sustained the mountain on his So, with the demons at Vasuki's head and demigods at his tail, they churned the milk ocean for one thousand years.
The churning of the milk ocean initially generated a fatal poison that Shiva consumed without being affected. When Shiva drank the poison, some of it fell from his hands and were consumed by snakes, scorpions, and other lethal creatures. After Shiva consumed the poison, several magnificent items were generated. Initially, a Surabhi cow materialized which could produce limitless magnitudes of milk. Afterwards, a white horse called Uccaihsrava was then brought into being, along with a white elephant called Airavata. Then a precious gem is known as the Kaustubha-mani also appeared.
After all these occurrences was the apsaras, stunning dancing girls and a multitude of other amazing things emerging from the milk ocean. Finally, a male being named Dhanvantari came into sight holding the pot of immortal nectar in his hands. Seeing Dhanvantari with the pot of nectar, both the demons and demigods became apprehensive. The demigods were fearful of what would take place if the demons consumed their portion of the nectar of immortality and by force took hold of the pot.
Severe fighting broke out wherever the demigods went with the pot of nectar. In an effort to keep the nectar from the demons, the demigods concealed it in four places on the earth, Prayag (Allahabad), Hardwar, Ujjain, and Nasik. At each of these hiding places, a drop of immortal nectar dripped from the pot onto the earth. These four regions from then are said to have attained magical power.
After some time, the demigod's overt woman, Mohini-murti advanced towards the demons. When the demons set eyes on the delightful splendour of Mohini-murti, they lost all self-control. Seeing her pleasant smile, slender hips and her overall beauty, the demons totally forgot about consuming the nectar of immortality. While the demons were baffled by her magnificence, Mohini-murti snatched the nectar and took it back to the demigods, who drank it right away.
Kumbh Mela received its name from the immortal Pot of Nectar portrayed in olden Vedic scriptures called the Puranas. Kumbha in the Sanskrit language denotes ' pitcher or pot and Mela signifies 'festival'. Therefore Kumbh Mela basically represents the festival of the pot, or in this instance, a festival that commemorates the materialization of the pot of nectar.
