Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela is a mass pilgrimage centered on the ritual of riverside bathing, it is variously called the the Great Indian Bathing Festival, the Urn Festival, the Pitcher Festival and so forth. It occurs four times every twelve years rotating between Allahabad/Prayaga at the confluence of the rivers Ganga (Ganges), Jamuna (Yamuna) and the concealed Saraswati, Haridwar (Hara Dwar) on the river Ganga (Ganges), Ujjain on the river Kshipra (Shipra), and Nasik on the river Godavari (Gomati)
Bathing in these rivers during the Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela is considered an endeavour of great merit, cleansing both body and spirit. The Allahabad and Haridwar (Hara Dwar) festivals are routinely attended by five million or more pilgrims; the Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela is the largest religious gathering in the world. It may also be the oldest
Two traditions are in circulation regarding the origin and timing of the festival: one that stems from ancient texts known as the Puranas, and the other that connects it with astrological considerations. According to the Puranic epic, the gods and demons had churned the milky ocean at the beginning of time in order to gather various divine treasures including a jar containing a potion of immortality - Ambrosia. As the jar emerged from the ocean the gods and demons began a terrific battle for its possession. During the battle, which according to one legend the gods won by trickery, four drops of the precious potion fell to earth, when Jayantha (Jayanth) the son of the chief deity Indra carried the jar (Kumbha/kumbh) that held the ambrosia in the form of a giant bird - these places became the sites of the four Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela festivals, according to another legend he ran away with the jar and hid them on twelve locations on earth where few drops of ambrosia fell, four of these places are known and identified as the four sites for the Kumbh (Kumbh) Mela, the other eight locations are being researched by our team
The astrological tradition (ascribed to a lost Puranic text and not traceable in extant editions) seems to stem from a very ancient festival called the Kumbha Parva, which occurred at Hardwar every twelfth year when Jupiter was in Aquarius (the Indian name being Kumbha/Kumbh) and the sun entered Aries
At some later time the term 'Kumbha (Kumbh)' was prefixed to the Melas held at Prayaga, Ujjain, and Nasik and these four sites became identified with the four mythical locations of the immortality potion - Ambrosia. In theory the Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela festivals are supposed to occur every three years, rotating between the four cities. In practice the four-city cycle may actually take eleven or thirteen years and this because of the difficulties and controversies in calculating the astrological conjunctions. Furthermore the interval between the Kumbha Mela at Nasik and that at Ujjain is not of three years; they are celebrated the same year or only a year apart. This deviation in practice is intriguing and cannot be fully explained by either astrological or mythological means.
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Meredith Corporation (NYSE:MDP; www.meredith.com), the leading media and marketing company serving American women, today announced the tablet launch of three of its most popular brands – Better Homes and Gardens, Parents and Fitness – on the iPad. All three monthly editions bring additional layers of content and interactivity to consumers, and are created by the highly respected editorial and creative teams behind the brands’ print issues.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/meredith/49074/
http://www.cult-925.com Cult925 Handmade Silver Design from Di Lenardo Switzerland. Limited editions and exclusive design from zurich Switzerland. http://www.cult-925.com
Vacheron Constantin is celebrating 260 years of uninterrupted history and is proud to present the first seven models of a new collection called Harmony. Issued in limited editions, these highly contemporary timepieces feature a new cushion shape and a design inspired by one of its heritage wrist chronograph.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7516151-vacheron-constantin-harmony/
The new edition of the Habanos Festival will feature an outstanding international musical line-up. For five whole days, from the 29th of February to the 4th of March, this annual event dedicated to Habano cigars will gather more than 1,500 attendees from over 50 countries that will discover this year’s major launches in an exclusive and inspiring setting.
The Welcome Event, dedicated to the Hoyo de Monterrey Reserva Cosecha 2012, will have Alexander Abreu, renowned trumpet player, composer and winner of a Latin Grammy, and his group Havana D’Primera to close the evening. On the other hand, the Gala Evening, in tribute to Cohiba on its 50th Anniversary, will feature performances by such distinguished artists as Chucho Valdés, the Cuban pianist and composer, winner of five Grammys and three Latin Grammys; Estrella Morente, the Spanish Flamenco singer; or Jorge Drexler, the Uruguayan singer and songwriter, winner of an Oscar and two Latin Grammys. They will share the stage with rising popular international names in Cuban music such as Alain Pérez, Geidi Chapman and Cucu Diamantes.
Talent will also be enjoyed at the International Habanosommelier contest, that this year celebrates its 15th anniversary, and will bring together the world’s best “Habanosommeliers”, the winners of all the previous editions, with the challenge of finding the “Maestro de Maestros” of Habanos pairings with the most famous drinks and cocktails.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7767951-top-music-artists-to-play-habanos-festival/
The XVIII Habanos Festival is opening its doors today to host the largest international event for lovers of the world’s finest tobacco: the Habano. In this edition, the festival will pay tribute to Cohiba, the most distinguished and exclusive brand of Habanos that is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
At the press conference presided by Leopoldo Cintra González, Commercial Vice-President of Habanos, S.A. and Javier Terrés Ercilla, Vice-President of Development of Habanos, S.A., the year’s major launches were presented, such as the Cosecha Reserva 2012 from the Hoyo de Monterrey brand, in its famous Epicure No 2 vitola; the new Magnum 54 from the H. Upmann brand, that will become part of the regular product portfolio within the successful Magnum Range, and the special edition commemorative Cuaba 20 Aniversario and the Cohiba Medio Siglo.
Further to the launch in the regular portfolio, Cohiba has also released two important special editions. The first consists of a special edition of vintage-style humidors limited to 1966 numbered drawers, with the exclusive Cohiba Majestuosos 1966 vitola and in a unique format (58 mm ring gauge x 150 mm length).
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7774751-XVIII-habanos-festival-cohiba/
Automakers from around the globe are gearing up for the grand opening of the 2017 Chicago Auto Show, which opens to the public on 10am. Saturday, Feb. 11, at McCormick Place.
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle are expected to be on hand Saturday, Feb. 11 for the ribbon cutting ceremony, which will officially open the 2017 Chicago Auto Show. With more than one million sq. ft. of exhibit space, the show is the largest in North America and has been held more times than any other auto exposition on the continent.
Taking center stage at the 109th edition of the Chicago Auto Show are more than 20 vehicles that made their world debut during this week’s Media Preview, including Dodge Durango SRT; Ford Expedition; Hyundai Elantra GT; Mitsubishi Outlander Sport; Nissan TITAN King Cab and Midnight Editions; TRD Sport editions of the Toyota Tundra and Sequoia; Subaru Legacy; and Volkswagen Atlas Weekend Edition Concept.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/7660252-chicago-auto-show-2017-cas17/
Habanos, S.A will launch an exclusive product for the Duty Free and Travel Retail channels at the 31st edition of the Tax Free World Association World Exhibition & Conference at Cannes: the Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Belicosos (52 ring gauge x125 mm length), with an up until now inexistent format in the regular Habanos portfolio and that has only been used previously in some limited or regional editions. This product will come inside a special travel humidor, with an exclusive production, becoming a high value and exclusive premium product.
Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Belicosos (52 ring gauge x125 mm length) is one of the favoured Habanos for those who enjoy the heavy ring gauge format in a short smoking time.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8188951-habanos-hoyo-de-monterrey-petit-belicosos/