Rajim Kumbh Mela is one of the largest religious congregations in India, attended by lakhs of Indian and foreign devotees. This Hindu pilgrimage is held annually at Rajim, in Gariaband district of Chhattisgarh, (India). Lakhs of Sadhu, Sant, Mahatma, Rishi Muni and Margdarshak Guru throng to Rajim Kumbh each year for the festival. Devotees arrive in Rajim a day ahead to partake off the special Puja performed at midnight and take holy bath in the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the three sacred rivers. Known as the Prayag of Chhattisgarh being located at the convergence of Mahanadi, Pairi and Sondur rivers, Rajim is divinely blessed to be the heart of "5"th Kumbh on Earth.

Rajiv Lochan, Mama Bhanja, kuleshwar Mahadev, Rajim Bhaktin Mata Karma etc are some of the notable temples in Rajim.

The religious congregation at the holy confluence of the Mahanadi, Pairi and Sondur Rivers in Rajim took the shape of 'Kumbh' with the efforts of Cultural Minister Brijmohan Agrawal in the year 2006.

It is believed that Rajiv Lochan temple was established by Lord Vishwakarma upon the instruction of Lord Vishnu. Due to its religious significance, on the occasion of Magh Purnima a grand fair is organized here annually since ages. Having received immense love and blessings of the saints due to its religious significance Rajim Kumbh has been entitled as the 'Fifth Kumbh'.

During his visit to Rajim Kumbh, Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati Maharaj appreciated the efforts taken by the state government and said that other states should also take inspiration. He also expressed gratitude towards Endowment Minister Brijmohan Agrawal for bringing forth the vision and organizing such Rajim Kumbh.

This year, the Kumbh will be organized from February 10th to 24th. Upon the completion of 12 years the kumbh has taken the form of a 'Maha Kumbh', all thanks to the efforts of Cabinet Minister Brijmohan Agrawal. Lakhs of sadhus and mahants enticed from remote hideaways in forests, mountains and caves will flock to display an extraordinary affection of faith. Around 50 lakh devotees are expected to arrive this year at Rajim Kumbh seeking to be redeemed off the vicious earthly cycle of life and death and move towards the heavenly realm.

King Ratnakar was a very religious person and used to keep himself busy with some or the other religious work. Once, when he was performing a Yagya, the demons attacked and disturbed his pious ceremony. Helpless and depressed, King Ratnakar started praying beckoning the gods. At the same time, a crocodile named Grah caught hold of the king's elephant Gajendra. The elephant in grave pain, requested Lord Vishnu to help save him and it was then Lord Vishnu came barefoot in rescue. After salvaging the helpless elephant, Lord Vishnu heard the plea of the king and appeared before him. He blessed King Ratnakar and promised to stay in the earth as 'Rajiv Lochan'.

At Rajiv Lochan Temple, the installed statue of Lord Vishnu is barefoot and the left hand with Sudarshan Chakra is tilted in such a way as if it has been used recently.

Rajiv Lochan Temple the chief attraction of the grandiose Rajim Kumbh comprise a quadrate space in Rajim.The four angles of the temple is the abode of Shri Varaha Avatar, Narsingh Avatar and Shri Badrinath. Entry gates constitute the north and the south of the temple. The rocks of the sanctorum of the rajim telin sati temple indorses the legends that sanctum in earth forbears. A flagstone over the the lofty altar in the background depicts an open palm, sun, moon and a complete aquarius engraved.

The temple stands tall at the face of the Dan Daneshwara temple. It's worth mentioning here that there exist but few temples on earth where a Shiva temple and a Vishnu temple stand right in front of each other.

Rajiv Lochan - A ballad of folklores intertwined in the spiritual mores of vedic yore - the abode of the divine lord Vishnu and the lord among lords Mahadev manifest in Rajiv Lochan & Kuleshwar Mahadev. It is believed that the sacrosanct feets of Kuleshwar Mahadev even pacifies the raging Mahanadi during blustering monsoons.

Originating at the sihawa hills, the holy river adorns the leaves of the sacred Mahabharata epic, where it is significantly mentioned as the Chitrotpala in the "Bhishm Parv", with Utpaleshwar Mahadev at its fountain and Chitra Maheshwari Devi at its inflow. Chitrotpala thus bears a distinct label of being Punya Dayini (bestower of grace) and Paap Nashini (destroyer of sin).

Being a confluence of three rivers (namely Mahanadi, Sondur and Pairi) Rajiv Lochan is considered, as Holy and scripture consentient, as the Triveni Sangam Prayag (Illahabad).

According to the prevalent folklore, once lord Vishnu asked lord Vishwakarma to construct a temple on such a place in Earth where there had been no cremation in its vicinity of about a score kilometer. Vishwakarma searched in vain, returned empty handed reporting the same, upon which lord Vishnu hurled a Lotus from Heaven and instructed lord Vishwakarma to build the temple where the lotus falls.

Thus a temple (of lord Vishnu) was built upon the nectars of the heavenly lotus known today as the Rajiv Lochan temple, and the 5 petals eventuated the Panchkoshi Dhaam viz. Kuleshwarnath (Rajim), Champeshwarnath (Chamaranya), Bramhkeshwarnaath (Bramhani), Pandeshwarnath (Fingeshwar) and Kopeshwarnaath (Kopra).

There's a popular belief that bathing in the Padmanabh lake at Rajim cures all physical ailments. The place was called Padmanabhpur in vedic times, renowned to be a haven of redemption or Moksha Dham.

The presence of Naga Sadhus have been a spectacle in the Rajim Kumbh, the prayag of chhattisgarh. They bring an aura of grace and elegance to the grandeur of the kumbh. Many tourists and devotees flock in just to have a glimpse of the gritty saints who dwell in the realm of mystery and the metaphysical. They (the nagas) are the epitome of sacrifice and devotion to the one and almighty. Their blessings are besought by the Kumbh pilgrims.

All the saints gathered in the Kumbh bestow the urging pilgrims with words of wisdom & grace and mentor them unto the path of righteousness eventually leading to the redemption of body and soul which all seek.

The godmen speak and there`s a shower of the divine nectar upon the seekers and the pilgrims, bringing about eternal joy, bliss and a sense of belonging with the one at the confluence.

It's a once in a lifetime experience in the fragile life of mere mortals

" Come be a part of the Divine Rajim Kumbh ".