The Maha Kumbh Mela is Hindi for sacred pitcher or pot festival. Anchored in Hindu mythology, it is a sacred congregation that unfolds every 12 years — a spiritual odyssey that celebrates the very essence of human existence.
Prayagraj in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh will be the venue of the 45-day-long festival. The city is situated at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical, or the invisible, Saraswati rivers.
The Maha Kumbh Mela is the world’s largest public gathering on earth. The congregation includes saints, ascetics, hermits and pilgrims from all walks of life — irrespective of caste, creed or gender. It’s open to all — no invitation required!
Central to the Maha Kumbh Mela experience is the ritualistic act of taking the sacred dip in the holy waters. It symbolises spiritual purification — a symbolic cleansing of the body and soul. It is believed that bathing in the Ganga washes away one’s sins and liberates one from the cycle of birth and death, which is called Moksha in Sanskrit. So, the festival offers a rare chance for devotees to connect with a higher purpose in the company of saints, sages, and spiritual leaders.
However, there’s more to the Maha Kumbh Mela than just the sacred bath. It is also about a quest for inner peace, a desire to connect with something greater than one’s self, a global thirst for spirituality that is rooted in ancient Indian traditions.
The Maha Kumbh Mela draws spiritual seekers from all over the world, including Hollywood stars, global thought leaders and influencers. Yoga enthusiasts, researchers of Indian spirituality and pilgrims from the Americas, Europe, the Indo-Pacific and West Asia are also drawn to it.
400 million people are expected to take part in the Maha Kumbh Mela in 2025. The corresponding figure for 2019 was 2 hundred and 50 million. By way of comparison, less than 2 million pilgrims perform Hajj every year. Clearly, the Maha Kumbh Mela has evolved into a GLOBAL pilgrimage.
UNESCO named Kumbh Mela as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2017. The U.N. agency says that the event encapsulates the science of astronomy, astrology, spirituality, ritualistic traditions, and social and cultural customs and practices, making it extremely rich in knowledge.
The Kumbh Mela is so massive that it is visible from space! The first high resolution shot with stunning details was captured by Space Imaging’s IKONOS satellite in 2001. Indian space agency ISRO released photographs of the Kumbh Mela in 2019.
A number of other ceremonies take place during the festival such as the traditional procession of an Akhara, which means a monastic order. The procession is called Peshwai. It moves on elephant backs, horses and chariots.
There’s also the ritual of the Naga Sadhus taking a holy dip known as Shahi Snaan or the Royal Bath. Naga Sadhus are a sect of worshippers of Lord Shiva. They are known as the ascetic warriors. They renounce all worldly possessions, live in caves and follow a rigorous spiritual practice. The Shahi Snaan is a highlight of the Kumbh Mela. It features a grand procession of ascetics and hermits and their followers marching to the river banks.
There are six auspicious dates for taking the holy dip.
PAUSH PURNIMA
13 JANUARY
MAKAR SANKRANTI
14 JANUARY
MAUNI AMAVASYA
29 JANUARY
BASANT PANCHAMI
03 FEBRUARY
MAGHI PURNIMA
12 FEBRUARY
MAHA SHIVARATRI
26 FEBRUARY
The Maha Kumbh Mela has only grown bigger over the years. During the 2019 Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, at least three new Guinness World Records were set — for the Longest Parade of Buses featured 503 buses, surpassing Abu Dhabi’s previous record; the Most Contributions to a Handprint Painting saw more than 7,600 participants; and for the Most People Sweeping Simultaneously record was broken with more than 10,000 sanitation employees.
In 2025, more records would be broken. They include: The largest synchronised cleaning involving 25 thousand participants; the largest e-vehicle parade comprising 1,000 rickshaws; a re-attempt at most hand-printed paintings in 8 hours involving 10,000 participants; and the largest river cleaning comprising 300 volunteers.
Take a look at some more staggering numbers:
Area
2019 3,200 ha.
2025 4,000 ha.
Tents
2019 80,000
2025 1,60,000
Parking
2019 1,291 ha.
2025 1,850 ha.
Toilets
2019 1,14,500
2025 1,45,000
Accommodation
2019 20,000
2025 25,000
Visitors have a range of options for their accommodation. One can stay in the area designated for the festival. Tent cities provide comfortable accommodations near the Triveni Sangam, ranging from basic tents to luxurious set-ups, with private amenities. Staying here offers tourists easy access to rituals, sacred baths and spiritual events. Imagine waking up to the chants of Vedic hymns and the sounds of the sacred rivers flowing nearby! One can also stay in the city, which offers a diverse range of accommodations, from luxurious hotels to budget-friendly lodges.
One can reach Prayagraj by road, rail or air. The Prayagraj airport is located at Bamrauli at a distance of 13 kilometres from the city. It offers regular flights from major Indian cities, such as, New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Hyderabad. Indian Railways will operate 13 thousand special trains to cater to an anticipated surge in passengers.
And when you are done, there are more attractions waiting for you nearby, including Varanasi and Ayodhya.