Kumbh Mela is a mega bathing festival where lakhs of devotees from around the world come down to celebrate this month-long congregation.
Kumbh Melas are held at each of the four places namely Haridwar, Prayag (Allahabad), Nashik and Ujjain. At any of these places, it is held once every 12 years.
The position of Sun and Jupiter in different zodiac signs determines the place of Kumbh Mela.
Simhasth is a Hindu religious gathering held every 12 years in the city of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, India. It is also known as Ujjain Kumbh Mela.
Planet Jupiter is in the zodiac Leo (simha) astronomically during this period and so the name.
In case of Simhasth, ceremonial bathing takes place in the holy river of Kshipra (Shipra) that flows through Ujjain city.
The holy city of Ujjain is an ancient city situated on the east bank of Kshipra river.
Ujjain is also known as a temple city, the most prominent temple being that of Mahakaleswar. This temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. The idol of Lord Mahakaleswar in this temple is south-faced (Dakshinamurti) which itself is considered very unique by tantric traditions.
Ujjain was declared the most sacred city on earth in ancient mythology.