The Mythological Backdrop
The origins of the Kumbh Mela are tied to the Samudra Manthan (Churning of the Ocean), a tale from Hindu mythology. The gods and demons churned the ocean to obtain the nectar of immortality (Amrit). During the struggle for this nectar, a few drops spilled at four locations: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik, making them sacred.