Dashar Maha Kumb celebrated

Hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits today celebrated 'Dashar Maha Kumbh' organised on the confluence of rivers Sindhu and Vitasta in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir, after a period of 75 years.
"A large number of Kashmiri pandits participated in the mela held at the Sangam (confluence) of the rivers Vitasta (Jhelum), Krishen Ganga and Sindh (Indus) at Saidipora village in Ganderbal," the organisers of the mela said.
They said the sangam is sacred for the Pandit community for the immersion of the ashes of their dead.
They claimed the Kumbh was organised after 75 years.
"Last time such an alignment of celestial bodies happened was in 1941 and today after 75 years and 10 days the same celestial alignment was in place," they said.

The organisers said at the confluence, there is a Chinar tree that stands on a small island in the middle of the confluence spot where there is a Shiva Lingam and there are also religious places like Shadipora Ghats and Narayan Bagh.

"On this day, the devotees take a bath at the holy Sangam to wash away their sins and then proceed to the little island at the confluence where a Chinar tree has been growing since long," they said.
This tree is considered mystical and sacred by Kashmiri Pandits and it is believed that even if the river is flooding, the tree never sinks, they said.

The organisers said at the confluence of Jhelum river and Sindh stream, Kumbh is celebrated every 12 years and Ardh Kumbh every six years.
A 12-hour long 'Havan' (offerings to fire) was started yesterday at Sangam and ended today, they said.
The government had made elaborate arrangements for the mela.