The sanskrit word ‘Kumbh’ means pot(a vessel) or a ghada in hindi. Kumbh parv is a important event in Himalayan Siddha Dharm celebrated every 6 or 12 years. It correlates with the partial or full revolution of brihaspati(jupiter) around the sun. The tradition of Kumbha holds immense significance in the Siddha Dharma. It symbolizes the sacred vessel, the “Amrit Kalash” (अमृत कलश), containing the nectar of immortality, Amrita. Kumbh parva is celebrated as a divine occasion commemorating The emergence of Amrita Kalash from the Samudra Manthan (churnning of ocean). This auspicious day of Kumbh parva symbolises the emergence of Amrita Kalash that bestowed the eternal blessings upon the universe. The nectar of immortality or amrita never ends in Amrita Kalasha. This nectar is also known as Jalaja as it is emerged from water and its effulgence and radiance mixes with water thereby manifesting its influence. It is this quality of amrita when infused in sacred river source in the whole Himalayan regions at Shiva’s behest that made bathing ritual and achamani ritual important across the Himalaya.

Origins 

In the universe the devtas were granted the right to dwell in the divine heavenly realm of the highest order, the Swarga. While the daityas or asuras were destined to reside in the lowest realm, the patal lok. When Shukracharya became the Daitya Guru he convinced the daityas that they are being subjected to injustice and they are being forced to live in the patal lok. This created a desire in the daityas to occupy and live in Swarga. Shukracharya’s words incited rebellion among the daityas. With this idea they went to Bhagwan Vishnu. Bhagwan Vishnu then told the daityas that in this universe whatever lok the resides in is determined by his karma and tapobal (the bala or power earned by doing penance). It doesn’t matter what you desire if you do good karma and earn great tapobal you will automatically be moved to higher realms. But daitya Guru Shukracharya did not agree with his words. He then provoked the daityas to fight a war against devtas and capture the swarg. The war started. Since devtas had more tapobal as a result of the were daityas were being killed continuously and started loosing the war. Worried by this Daitya Guru Shukracharya hanging upside down from a tree with a sacred fire burning beneath his head performed intense penance with unwavering devotion to please Bhagwan Shiv. Lord Shiva pleased by his dedication and devotion appeared before him. He then asked for the knowledge of Mrita Sanjeevani Vidya which Lord Shiva granted him. Using the Sanjeevani vidya in the war daityas even after being dead were brought to life again and again and thus they started winning the war. Devtas were worried about this so they went to Bhagwan Vishnu to as for a solution to this. Lord Vishnu said that there is only one remedy to this, the Amrita or the divine nectar of immortality which lies hidden in the depths of ocean. To obtain it from the divine cosmic ocean you must do samudra manthan. This began the great divine event of Samudra Manthan. 

According to the Siddha Dharma tradition, during the legendary Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), yaksha, kinnar, gandharava and other celestial beings were present. Himalayan Siddhas were also present there during the great churning of the ocean as Shiva’s allies. The emergence of the Amrit Kalash from the ocean was a momentous event but it preceded with manifestation of poison which had the capacity to destroy the whole universe. Lord Shiva drank this poison to save the whole creation including the devtas. When Shiva drank the poison (halahala) arising from the churning, the Himalayan Siddhas were distressed. Parvati, to calm Shiva, touched his neck, infusing it with coolness, thereby forming the blue throat and since then Lord Shiva was also being called as Neelkantha.

When Bhagwan Dhanvantari carrying the divine Amrita Kalasha manifested from the Samudra Manthan, its amrita which is divine nectar infused in the whole environment and made everyone enchanted including devtas and asuras. Jayanta who was the son of Indra ran with it. Maha Siddha Shukracharya Nath who is also the guru of asuras instructed asuras to catch Jayanta. This started a war between Devtas and Asuras that lasted for 12 days in their timescale. The 12 days of devtas realm amounts to 12 years in human world. To avoid the Amrita from being gone in the hands of Asuras Lord Vishnu then manifested as Mohini to distract the daityas and enchanted the daityas with the beauty.  Despite Maha Siddha Shukracharya Nath ji advising asuras to not fall for the tricks of Vishnu, asuras could not resist the hypnotic play of Mohini. 

Thus, devtas got to drink amrita from the kumbha and most asura were spared except one who later became devtas as Rahu and Ketu.

Amrita Kumbha Parva

Since amrita kalasha is divine, its nectar never exhausts. The pot or kalasha always has amrita nectar. So after Devtas drank the amrita from the kalasha, it was handed over to Kuber. Kuber is the Koshadhyaksha or treasurer of the Gods. Kuber is the lord of Yaksha and the keeper of all precious divine jewels and wealth. 

According to Siddha Dharma, it was month of maagha as per Indian lunar calendar, when the kalasha was eventually brought to Kailash by Kuber. In the records of Siddha Dharma, it is mentioned the amavasya of maagh month is the day of Kumbh snaan. 

Bhagwan Shiv created a lid for the kalasha and on his instructions, the lid of the Kalash was sealed to prevent the overflowing of divine nectar. 

After the churning of the ocean, when devtas drank the amrita, Siddhas asked Shiva that he gave devtas amrita but took poison himself. To this Shiva said that he does not need amrita as amrita is there everywhere for him. For Siddhas, Shiva then opened the lid of the Amrita Kumbha and infused the amrita in all water bodies around. He then told Siddhas present at Kailasha to go and partake this amrita on his behest.

Siddhas singing the glories of Bhagwan Shiv thus took ritual bath in the sacred waters and did achamani of the amrita water.

It was decided that the lid will open at fixed time interval. As per Maha Siddha Ishaputra, the record says it happens every 12 years. In memory of the opening of lid of amrita kalasha, and to infuse themselves with the divine fragrant effulgence, devtas from all over visit Kailasha every year around the Maagha month.

During this time, the local people do not approach their devtas as they are known to have gone to Kailash. During this time, Shiva gana are given guard duty to protect the areas. These reflect as various masked dances across the Himalayan regions during this time.

When the lid of amrita kalasha opens, since the nature of amrita is Jalaja, it reflects and manifests in all water bodies around.  So, all sacred rivers and lakes starting from Russian regions, Ujbekishtan Afghanistan, India, China till Myanmar become infused with this amrita and one takes ritual bath and partake this water as symbol of that amrita nectar. 

Out of all lakes and rivers, Manasarovara is considered most important for ritual bath. Then there are 16 Hansa Kunda in Himalaya that are important for this ritual.

Like Manasarovar, there are six Manatalai that are very sacred for ritual bath. If there are rivers and tributaries that originate from such sacred lakes and sources, then the river becomes important for bathing.

Himalayan Siddhas do the sacred ritual bath in Himalaya. They do not go to Naasika, Haridwar and other places for bathing. Siddha Dharma revolves around Shiva and Himalaya.

Apart from these sacred water bodies in Himalaya, the seven Kailasha are important in Siddha Dharma. 

And every twelve years, siddhas would visit Kailasha Manasarovara for ritual bath.

During winter months Devi Devta are not available for visitation by people. It is believed that they go to Kailasha and not Swarga during this time. This month of Maagha is the month of celebration and sacred bath for this reason as well. Devi Devta returns from Kailash after partaking amrita and bring this amrita tattva with them. Shamans, gurs, priests, jhakari all bathe in sacred water bodies around their village including the baawadi or water reservoir or step well. Since many interior villages in Himalaya did not have jyotish or astrological knowledge, they focused primarily on no moon day amavashya and full moon day Purnima for ritual bath. 

Also, after the winter month of maagha, in earlier times, death rate also used to be less in villages. So locally this month signified coming of better days which is celebrated with offerings of sweet fried doughs like babaru, walnuts and new sprouting grass. 

Amrita Kumbha

As per siddha dharma and the gaNai of Amriteshi Devi, Devi herself resides as amrita in the Kumbha. The lid that Bhagwan Shiv put on the amrita kumbha is such that it locks on top and covers till the neck. Rudra’s essence resides in the neck of the pot. While Vishnu is worshiped at the top of the pot and Brahma is worshipped at the bottom of the pot. Kuber is the lord who is the custodian of this pot and various Matrikas reside in the middle. Only Kuber can open this divine pot which is protected by guhya naagas and guhya ganas.

Significance of Sacred Ritual Bath

In Siddha Dharma, snāna (sacred bathing) during the Kumbha period reflects spiritual cleansing and the absorption of divine energy. This practice connects the bather with the Amrita Tattva present in water bodies influenced by the energy of the Amrit Kalash. The sacred darshan(sight) of amrita kalash is given to all the devi devtas in the month of maagh every year in kailash. The lid of the Kalash is said to be opened during Māgha Māsa (माघ मास) on the auspicious events of Ardh Kumbh, Purna Kumbh and Mahakumbh.  The Amrita Tejas  permeates rivers and lakes, making them spiritually charged. 

 

Amriteshi Devi

According to gaNai of Amriteshi Devi in Siddha Dharma, she is the goddess embodying Amrita is invoked in a symbolic pot and worshiped using her yantra. The goddess Amriteshi Devi resides symbolically within the Kumbha Kalash. She represents the immortal essence and is worshipped during Kumbha rituals. Amriteshi Devi is the goddess who holds the Amrita Kalasha in her hand. She is embodying the nectar’s divine potency. She is invoked during the ritual bath using a special kalasha or pot, crafted from clay, bronz, or jewel-studded metals like gold, silver or copper . 

Wherever siddhas have invoked Amriteshi Devi through her yantra, have become sacred spots of ritual bathing across regions.

Amriteshi Amrita Kumbha Pujana

The Kaulachaar ritual for kumbha bathing is known as Amriteshi Amrita Kumbha Pujana. As per siddha tradition, one establishes a yantra of Amriteshi Devi. Establishing the yantra and doing ritual of yantra amplifies the significance of ritual bath. Then one conducts rituals by offering flowers, kumkum and sacred water and one chants the mantra “Om Amrita Kalāshāya Namaha.”

One does stuti and dhyaan visualization of Amriteshi Devi. 

A symbolic pot or kumbha is established before the bath. It usually is made of earthen pot or bronze pot. It can also be embellished with jewels. Vishnu is invoked on the top of this pot, Rudra in the neck where one also ties mauli and sacred cloth. In the bottom of the pot Lord Brahma is invoked and in the middle Matrikas. One does ritual of Amriteshi Devi thus and invokes her in the pot. Kuber is invoked and worshipped as the lord of Amrita Kumbha and blessings of Devi devta are sought to oversee the sacred ritual bath.

Sacred Ritual Bath Steps

Sacred rivers are long so the importance of choosing right place along the river for ritual bath is important. Where siddhas have bathed and divine places and places where Amriteshi Devi has been invoked before are the sacred spots for ritual bath.

Siddhas, yogis cover themselves in bhasma or holy ash and wear kōpīna—loincloth for the ritual bath. Householders wear dhotis where men wear from waist down to leg while women wear loose overall clothing for bathing. 

People who follow Deva Dharma, wear complete dhoti for ritual bath. 

All carry offerings such as durva grass, Akshat or unbroken rice grains, walnuts, pancha gavya, upavastra or clothings, sacred mauli threads and flowers.  In Siddha Dharma kumkum, Kastoori and sacred flag or dhwaja along with trishool are very significant ritual tools during such sacred moments. Shiva ganas dance in ecstasy at the invocation of Amriteshi Devi.

In Siddha Dharma, one who cannot go to bathe in such spots, can establish a kalasha in their own room and invoke Amriteshi Devi in the kalasha for ritual bath. However, it is only meant for disabled, diseased people. Pregnant women who cannot go to sacred spots for bathing also avail this option.

One applies bhasma all over the body including the hairs and realizes that there is nothing of their own. All is Shiva. Offering all to Bhagwan Shiv one honours the Shiva in oneself. This is Atma Deva Vandana. One wears garlands of flowers. And then one submerges completely in water and if water is not deep then one pours it over oneself. One chant mantra invoking Shiva and Amriteshi Devi. Then one performs Āchamana (sipping water ritually). One visualizes and takes the sankalpa resolve of embracing higher wisdom, courage and dharma. One realizes and express gratitude as becoming pure by the water infused with amrita of Amriteshi Devi. One knows that this is way to wisdom of immortality. One does this sacred bath as Shiva gana and as Gandharva gana of the Devi. This is the Shiva Sankalpa of ritual bath. After the sacred bath one resolves to commit to higher wisdom and transform one’s life and lessen negativity and nastika ways. One resolves to know the self and supreme truth and merge into Parabrahma Shiva Swacchanda Bhairava.