The Mythology of Kumbh-Parva

"The legend of 'Samudra-Manthan' describes that for the possession of the 'Pitcher' having elixir, there was fierce battle between 'Devas and Asuras'. As per well conceived strategy, Jayant, the son of Lord Indra slipped away with the 'Amrit-Kumbh' towards East. Thereafter demons rushed in hot pursuit of Jayant and it continued for twelve days and during these period demons tried to snatch the 'Amrit- Kumbh'. They made eight serious efforts in the sky and four determined efforts on the earth. During this ensuing flight and fight some drops of amrit fell on the ground from the 'Amrit-Kumbh' despite best efforts of Jayant and the help of Sun, Moon, Jupiter and Saturn the celestial gods deputed by Lord Vishnu to help Jayant. The places where the drops of amrit fell on the ground are believed to be Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik. The Parva of Kumbh known as 'Amritotsav-Kumbh-Parva' is celebrated at these places every twelfth year when Sun, Moon, Jupiter and Saturn come into a definite conjunction. Since each day of gods is equal to one human year, the battle of twelve days determines the interval of twelve year between two Kumbhs at a place. "