The Kumbh Mela, literally translated as Pitcher Fair or Aquarius Fair, refers to the congregation of pilgrims in Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik on the riverbanks to take a Snan or dip in the rivers on designated auspicious dates during the period from Paush to Phalgun (January – February). It is the largest peaceful gathering of pilgrims in the world attended by people from around the globe.
The Kumbh Mela location in a particular year depends upon the position of planets, Sun and Jupiter in relation to Zodiac constellations. The fair is rotated between Haridwar on the banks of River Ganga, Nasik on the banks of River Godavari, Ujjain on the banks of River Khsipra and Prayagraj at Triveni Sangam, the confluence of three rivers namely Ganga, Yamuna and invisible Saraswati.
The Kumbh Mela lasts several weeks. It begins with the Paush Purnima Snan, and concludes on Maha Shivratri, the day of last important Snan.
Bathing in the rivers is the most important ritual for pilgrims. This can be done every day but certain days are considered more auspicious. The Makar Sankranti is believed to be the most important day for bathing. The largest number of people takes a dip in the waters on this day.
The ceremonial bath is known as Shahi Snan or Royal Bath. It is led by the Naga Sadhus, ascetic warriors, who immerse themselves in the sacred water in a large procession. Other sadhus and the general masses then follow the ritual of bathing.
Traditional Hindus believe that bathing in the sacred rivers on these occasions cleanses the mortals of sins incurred in the past and encourages pursuing a virtuous life in the future.
The most dedicated pilgrims and groups set up their residence on the site to experience the Mela from the beginning to the end. Others visit on the special bathing days. Many devotees stay for a certain period, observing austerity, giving alms and bathing at sunrise every day.
People from almost all sections of the Hindu religion and associated religious organisations attend the Mela. Sadhus from different denominations move in a procession, displaying the diversity of the Hindu ascetic community.
In addition to the bathing, many other religious, cultural, entertainment and social activities are performed during the Mela, promoting a range of ideas, objectives and philosophies.
Devotees sing and chant devotional songs, creating a spiritual ambience. Many guests engage in yoga and meditation techniques to strive for mental and physical wellbeing. Renowned saints and gurus deliver lectures on spiritual and philosophical topics imparting knowledge to the assembled audiences. Charitable organisations offer meals and provide other services free or at nominal costs.
The Kumbh Mela is an annual event, which follows a twelve-year cycle. In the twelfth year, it is known as Maha Kumbh and in the sixth year Ardh Kumbh. This year it is Maha Kumbh.
In 2025, Prayagraj is hosting the Maha Kumbh, which starts on January 13, 2025, with the Paush Purnima Snan, and concludes on February 26, 2025, the Maha Shivratri day. Other important dates for bathing are:
(1) Makar Sankranti (First Shahi Snan), 14 January 2025;
(2) Mauni Amavasya (Second Shahi Snan), 29 January 2025;
(3) Vasant Panchami (Third Shahi Snan), 3 February 2025, and
(4) Maghi Purnima, 12 February 2025.
About 400 million people are expected to participate in the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh Mela. The state government, which has significant experience in organising the Kumbh Mela of previous years, is responsible for orchestrating it also this year. Management and supervision for smooth running of an extensive infrastructure, with attention to ensuring safety and access to hygienic facilities for all attendees is the responsibility of the state administration.
During the Ardh Kumbh Mela in 2019 in Prayagraj, 200 million visitors were recorded, with about 50 million partaking in the ritual bath on the most auspicious day, the Makar Sankranti.
For the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela, a designated area has been established as a separate administrative district for four months. The total area is divided into 25 sections spread over 40 square kilometres. It comprises accommodation, roads, electricity and water supplies, waste disposal, communication towers and 11 hospitals.
Temporary houses and large tents with suitable facilities are set up to accommodate the visitors. A typical large tent has space for up to 20,000 people to stay. People are expected to bathe in the waters along a 12 kilometre long stretch.
About 20,000 workers are responsible for keeping the area and its more than 150,000 temporary toilets clean. Around 50,000 security personnel are expected to keep the festivities safe.
More than 2,500 cameras, some powered by AI, are installed to scan crowd movement and send density information to four central control rooms, from where officials can quickly deploy personnel to avoid stampedes.
Genesis – It is believed that the Kumbh Mela has a prehistoric origin and relates to the tale of Samudra Manthan, the churning of the ocean, found in Vedic texts. In order to become immortal, Devas, deities and Daityas, demons decided to drink Amrit, ambrosia, which would be obtained from the ocean by its churning. They jointly started the churning and in the process, initially a number of other valuables appeared that were amicably distributed.
In the end, sage Dhanavantri surfaced from the ocean holding a Kumbh or pitcher filled with Amrit. Deities and demons started quarrelling over it. In the meantime, an eagle, the mount of Lord Vishnu, grasped the Kumbh with the goal of transporting it to Vishnu. En route, a part of the Amrit spilled over and fell into the rivers in Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain. As people learnt about this event, they started gathering and bathing in the waters of these places to ensure contact with the Amrit. Their assembly eventually resulted in the fair renowned as the Kumbh Mela.
Another reason for the name Kumbh Mela is the astrological position of planets in the zodiac. In Hindu astrology, the Kumbh Rashi stands for the zodiac sign Aquarius, the water carrier in Latin. The Kumbh Mela in Haridwar is held when the planet Jupiter is in the Aquarius constellation. This also leads to the assumption that Haridwar was the location where the initial Kumbh Mela was held.
There is no consensus on when the festival started. Gathering of people and taking a dip in sacred water is described in ancient texts. The Buddhist Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang has mentioned the Hindu bathing rituals at the confluence of the rivers in Prayagraj in 644 CE. According to some scholars, this is the earliest surviving historical account of the Kumbh Mela. Some believe that Adi Shankaracharya started the gathering for philosophical discussion and debate to create consensus on religious topics among various denominations of the Hindus.
Tulasi Das has noted in Ram Charit Manas the gathering at the confluence of three rivers in Prayagraj during the Kumbh Mela.
The Kumbh Mela has been included in the UNESCO’s Representative List of Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which was established in 2008. It aims to record and ensure better protection of important cultural heritage events, skills and knowledge worldwide.
Specific days for bathing during the Kumbh Mela have religious significance, as described in the following sections.
Paush Purnima falls on the full moon day of the bright fortnight in the month of Paush. It is believed that a person who takes a holy bath at pilgrimage places on this auspicious day, donates to the poor and makes offering to the solar deity, the Sun, will be cleansed of their sins and attain moksha following death.
It is also known as Shakambhari Purnima named after Shakambhari, an incarnation of goddess Durga. People worship Goddess Durga and chant mantras to seek her divine blessings. Devotees observe Purnima Vrat, which is believed to bring good luck and remove all obstacles in life.
Makar Sankranti is celebrated on 14 January, marking the beginning of auspicious Uttarayan, the northward movement of the Sun. This occasion marks the transition of the Sun from Sagittarius or Dhanu to Capricorn or Makar in the zodiac. The festival is dedicated to the deity Sun. On this day, the Sun God is especially worshipped and offered prayers.
This festival is celebrated across different regions of India. It is known by varying names, including Makar Sankranti, Lohri, Kite festival, Magh Bihu and Pongal. Although the festival has different names, all observe strong and clear links with the harvest season for farmers.
A large fair takes place at Gangasagar in West Bengal where devotees come from far and wide to bathe at the site of River Ganga’s merging in the Bay of Bengal. The first Shahi Snan at the Kumbh Mela takes place on this day. Millions of people perform a holy dip at the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati in Prayagraj.
Makar Sankranti is a time of celebration and thanks giving, and is marked by a variety of rituals and charity.
Mauni Amavasya day falls on the 15th day of dark fortnight in the month of Magh. The Sanskrit word Maun means silence. People take the vows of silence and observe Maun Vrat during this day. It is believed that observing the Maun Vrat on the day of Mauni Amavasya helps purify the mind, body, and soul.
A ritual of offering of water, known as tarpan, to ancestors is performed on this day. People perform sacred rituals to seek blessings from the departed ancestors. On this day, the customary rituals include Pitri Tarpan, Pitri Dan and feeding of deserving persons. People donate to the needy and perform charity. It is a time of self-inspection and inner reflection. The second Shahi Snan at the Kumbh Mela takes place on this day.
Vasant Panchami is an important spring festival, which is celebrated on the fifth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Magh. It marks the start of preparations for welcoming spring season and Holi, the festival of colour, which occurs forty days later.
Vasant Panchami is dedicated to Saraswati, who is the goddess of knowledge, language, music and arts. She symbolises creative energy and power in all its forms. Educational institutions and temples organise special events dedicated to Saraswati. Poetic and musical gatherings are held in her reverence.
It is considered an auspicious day to start education. Many parents prefer their young children begin reading and writing on this propitious day. The third and last Shahi Snan takes place on this day during the Kumbh Mela.
Maghi Purnima falls on the full moon day in the bright fortnight in the month of Magh. The whole month of Magh is considered auspicious and Purnima being the last day becomes especially important for devout Hindus. This day marks the start of ripening of winter crops. Farmers offer prayers and express gratitude for a better harvest.
People bathe in holy waters, donate to charitable causes and offer prayers to their preferred deities. Many visit renowned sacred rivers such as Ganga, Yamuna and others. A dip at Sangam in Prayagraj is specifically desirable on this day. During the Kumbh Mela, a large number of people bathe at Triveni Sangam.
Maha Shivratri is a festival dedicated to Lord Shiv. It is celebrated on the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalgun. According to one legend, on this night, Shiv performed the heavenly dance of creation, preservation and regeneration. Believers chant hymns, read Shiv scriptures and partake in the performance of the cosmic dance remembering Shiv’s omnipresence. According to another legend, Shiv drank the poison Halahal, which emerged during the Samudra Manthan on this day.
Being an auspicious day, bathing in sacred rivers during the Kumbh Mela is considered propitious. This is the last official Snan of the Kumbh Mela.
Significance – The Kumbh Mela plays significant roles in uniting the people of India by bringing them at one place from all over the country. It provides a communal spiritual space for Hindus to gather and participate in a major religious event. It is the time for devout Hindus to reflect on lives lived so far and yet to come, and become linked to mythological events of ancient times.
It also offers opportunities to discuss issues of common religious, social and cultural interest. For example, it had provided a forum for connecting the Indian population during the Indian Independence movement. In 1906, the Sanatan Dharma Sabha met at the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela and resolved to start the Banaras Hindu University. In 1964, the Vishva Hindu Parishad was founded at the Haridwar Kumbh Mela. It continues to offer opportunities for politicians, social workers, religious leaders and the masses to gather in large numbers, reflect on commonalities and deliberate on issues of contemporary national interests.