The Simhastha Kumbh is an unrivalled celebration in India. The most popular legend regarding the origin of Kumbh Mela is the Samudra Manthan or 'churning of the ocean'
It finds a mention in the Hindu mythological tale of churning of the cosmic ocean by the gods and the demons, with Vasuki, the serpent as the rope. It is believed that the ocean bed first yielded fourteen gems, then Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and finally the coveted vessel of Nectar. In the wild scramble for immortality, with the demons chasing the Gods across the skies, a few drops of the Nectar spilt from the vessel and fell at Haridwar, Nasik, Prayag, and Ujjaini or the present Ujjain. Therefore, the Kumbha Parva is celebrated at the interval of every twelve years at these places.
The specific features of Kumbha or Simhastha as it is called in Ujjain is its association with Leo, thus being famous as the Simhastha Parva. On this occasion the following ten coincidences assemble together