The Kumbh Mela is a Hindu festival of faith where crores of devotees take a holy dip in sacred rivers. It is widely described as the largest peaceful gathering of people in the world. Here is a guide to how it works.
The story behind it
According to Hindu tradition, gods and demons churned the ocean for amrit, the nectar of immortality. During the struggle over the pot (kumbh) of nectar, drops fell at four places on Earth. These places became the sites of the Kumbh Mela.
The four sites
- Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: at the Triveni Sangam of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati.
- Haridwar, Uttarakhand: on the Ganga.
- Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh: on the Shipra.
- Nashik and Trimbakeshwar, Maharashtra: on the Godavari.
The timing at each site is decided by the positions of Jupiter, the Sun and the Moon.
Types of Kumbh
- Purna Kumbh: held every 12 years at each of the four sites.
- Ardh Kumbh: held every six years, at Haridwar and Prayagraj.
- Simhastha: the Kumbh at Ujjain and Nashik is called Simhastha, as it is held when Jupiter is in Leo (Simha).
- Maha Kumbh: the Kumbh at Prayagraj after 12 Purna Kumbh cycles, that is every 144 years by tradition, though the term is also used widely for the Prayagraj Purna Kumbh.
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Maha Kumbh 2025
The Maha Kumbh was held at Prayagraj from 13 January to 26 February 2025. The Uttar Pradesh government said more than 66 crore devotees took a dip during the event, a record attendance.
Rituals
- Shahi Snan or Amrit Snan: the royal bath, led by processions of akharas of sadhus on key dates.
- Kalpavas: devotees stay on the river bank for a month, living a simple life of prayer.
- Pravachan and bhajans: spiritual talks and devotional music fill the camps.
UNESCO recognition
In 2017, UNESCO added the Kumbh Mela to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Upcoming melas
The next major melas expected are the Simhastha Kumbh at Nashik and Trimbakeshwar in 2027 and the Simhastha at Ujjain in 2028. These dates are tentative and will be confirmed by the state governments and the akharas.
Tips for pilgrims
- Follow official advisories on bathing dates and crowd routes.
- Keep emergency numbers and the address of your camp handy.
- Use official apps and websites for travel and stay bookings.
Bottom line
The Kumbh Mela brings together faith, astronomy and culture on a scale seen nowhere else. Its rotation across four holy rivers keeps alive a tradition that is centuries old.
Source / स्रोत: Ministry of Culture, UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, Press Information Bureau
