Skip to content What is Maha Kumbha Mela?
The Maha Kumbha Mela is one of the world’s largest spiritual gatherings, drawing millions of devotees, saints, and seekers from across the globe. Held once every 12 years at Prayagraj (Allahabad), this sacred Hindu festival marks a powerful cosmic alignment and a time for spiritual cleansing.
Pilgrims take a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, to wash away sins and attain moksha (liberation).
Historical and Mythological Significance
The origins of the Kumbh Mela are rooted in ancient Hindu mythology. According to the Puranas, a celestial battle between gods and demons over a pot (kumbh) of amrit (nectar of immortality) led to drops of the nectar falling at four locations—Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. These cities now host the Kumbh Mela in a rotational cycle. The Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj is considered the most sacred, occurring only once in a 144-year cycle (12 Kumbhs).
When and where is it celebrated?
The Maha Kumbh Mela was held in 2025 at Prayagraj, with the most auspicious bathing dates (Shahi Snans) drawing tens of millions of people. The festival spans several weeks, with significant events including royal processions of akharas (Hindu ascetic sects), spiritual discourses, and devotional music.
Spiritual Experience and Cultural Grandeur
More than just a pilgrimage, the Maha Kumbh Mela is a spectacle of faith, devotion, and living tradition. Visitors witness age-old rituals, interact with Naga sadhus, attend spiritual seminars, and participate in mass prayers. The vibrant atmosphere, tents lining the riverbanks, and the convergence of countless cultures make it an unforgettable spiritual journey.
Significance of Maha Kumbha Mela 2025
The Maha Kumbha Mela was held in Prayagraj, U.P. from January 13 to February 26, 2025. It is a glorious and renowned Hindu festival. It is a grand symbol for spiritual renewal. It’s celebrated for every 12 years. Pilgrims bathe in the sacred confluence of the holy rivers namely the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati at Prayagraj to cleanse their sins and achieve spiritual liberation.
The positioning of the Sun and the Moon during Makara Sankranti symbolizes cosmic harmony which enhances the sanctity of the rivers.
The festival includes huge processions, rituals, and other cultural activities. Especially Nagasadhus’ and ‘Sadhus’ participate extensively in the Kumbha Mela. The area resembles a gigantic fair where they camp and perform wonderful processions. The fair is renowned as ‘Kumbha Mela’. During the Maha Kumbha Mela, pilgrims come from all over the country to participate in the mega spiritual event. Kumbha means pot. This is also known an auspicious ‘kalasa’.
According to Planet’s position
Every 12 years, the Kumbha Mela is celebrated according to the position of the planets, just like ‘Pushkarams’ celebrated for the celestial rivers. The gods prepare to churn the Milky Ocean for nectar to become mighty. With the agreement of sharing half of the ‘amrita’, both the gods and the demons prepared to worship the Ocean of Milk, using the Mandara mountain as a churning rod and Sarparaju Vasuki as a rope.
Ultimately, their efforts were fulfilled, and they obtained the Amrita Kalasa. Then the fight between the two began. While Lord Vishnu was carrying this ‘Amrita Kalasa, a few drops of it fell into the rivers of Haridwar, Ujjain, Nasik and Prayagraj. This story appears in the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Bhagavatam.
Kumbha Mela – Locations
Kumbha Mela is performed based on the positions of the planets, the Sun and Jupiter.
- It will be held at Tryambakeshwar, Nashik, when the Sun and Jupiter are in the Leo sign.
- When the Sun is in the Aries sign, it will be held in Haridwar.
- When Jupiter is in Taurus and the Sun is in Capricorn, it will be held in Prayagraj.
- When Jupiter and the Sun are in the Scorpio sign, it will be held in Ujjain.
Generally, Kumbha Mela is held once every four years and Ardha Kumbha Mela once every six years at Haridwar Prayagaraj. Purnakumbha Mela is held once every 12 years in Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. After completion of 12 Purna Kumbhamelas, that means once in 144 years the Maha Kumbha Mela is held at Triveni Sangam in Prayag, Allahabad.
It starts on Maghapurnima i.e. 13th January and is celebrated uninterruptedly for 45 days and ends on Maha Shivaratri on 26th February.
For these 45 days, not only from all over the world but also from different parts of the country, people come in droves to take holy baths at Triveni Sangam on the journey and gain health and strength. It is estimated that about sixty crore people for taking holy bath in the Maha Kumbha Mela held almost every year. It is also believed that by offering tarpanas’ to the ‘pitru devatas’ here in order to make them reach their holy worlds.
The officials of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam have set up a model temple of the Mahakumbha Mela. All the offerings and Srivaru in Prayagraj during the 45 days of rituals are done here in this model temple. The S.V.B.C. Devotees broadcast these festivals have been given the golden opportunity to watch these spiritual programs through the channel.
In Maha, various places tooka holy bath and felt the Kumbha Mela. Everyone who came from various places took a holy bath and felt the direct manifestation of God of Kali Yuga, and the happiness of seeing Lord Srinivasa Swamy, they were blessed with His grand ‘darshan.”
