 "'Mahants' and 'sadhus' of 'Shri Panch Digambar Ani Akhara', 'Shri Panch Nirmohi Ani Akhara', and 'Shri Panch Nirvani Ani Akhara' take part in the 'Chavni Pravesh', the royal entry procession for Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, towards Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, January 8, 2025. PTI")
The Maha Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious gathering, has begun in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26. The congregation holds immense importance for Hindu devotees, who flock to the city for a holy dip at the Sangam.
The UP government is expecting a footfall of more than 40 crore pilgrims and devotees from around the world for the 45-day event. The religious gathering is a confluence of culture, tradition and spirituality.
Let’s take a closer look.
Origin of Kumbh Mela
The history of the Kumbh Mela can be traced back to the eighth-century Hindu philosopher Adi Shankaracharya, who encouraged regular assemblies of spiritual leaders and ascetics, as per The Hindu report.
He also introduced the monastery system and the 13 akharas, groups of warrior-class monks and seers.
As per Hindu mythology, the origin of the Kumbh Melas is linked to Samudra Manthan or the churning of the cosmic ocean, when deities and demons came together to attain amrit, or the nectar of immortality.
Hindu legends say that Lord Vishnu, disguised as Mohini, took the pot of amrit after the churning of the ocean to protect it from demons. A battle broke out, leading to drops of the nectar falling at four sites — Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik and Ujjain. These places house four Tirthas or holy sites and a dip in the rivers flowing through them — River Kshipra in Ujjain, Nashik’s Godavari, Ganga in Haridwar and Sangam at Prayagraj — would lead to salvation.
Sangam is the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati in Prayagraj.
It is believed that bathing in these rivers during the Kumbh Melas will wash away the sins of the devotees and help them attain moksha, or salvation.
Types of Kumbh Mela
The Maha Kumbh Mela is the rarest and most sacred gathering of the Kumbh Mela.
There are four different types of Kumbh: Purna (complete) Kumbh Mela, Ardh (half) Kumbh Mela, Kumbh Mela, and Maha (Great) Kumbh Mela.
The Kumbh Mela is organised every three years on the banks of the rivers in Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik and Prayagraj on a rotational basis.
The Ardh Kumbh Mela takes place every six years in Haridwar and Prayagraj.
The Purna Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years at the four sacred sites, attracting millions of devotees and pilgrims.
Maha Kumbh Mela is celebrated in Prayagraj marking the completion of 12 Kumbh Mela cycles, occurring once in 144 years. The grand event is highly sacred, with Shahi Snan, or holy dip, being its highlight.
Saints and monks from various akharas take the holy dip at a certain time on auspicious days.
The dates of the Kumbh Mela are decided on the movements of the Moon, Sun and Jupiter as per the Hindu calendar.
Kumbh Mela vs Maha Kumbh
The Kumbh Mela is held every three years with the four locations – Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik, and Prayagraj – hosting the event on rotation.
The Maha Kumbh is organised on a grand scale due to its religious importance. It is primarily held at Prayagraj and draws a large crowd, becoming one of the largest gatherings in the world.
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Why this Maha Kumbh is special
The 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela holds special significance as it marks the completion of 12 Kumbh Mela cycles.
Explaining the importance of this year’s Maha Kumbh, Mahant Harichaitanya Brahmachari, head of TikarMafi ashram, told Times of India (TOI), “It is after 144 years that the positioning of all the four planets is in line, and three hours prior to Amavasya (January 29), importantly, ‘Pukh (also pushya) Nakshatra’ will also align with the four planets. Thus, the most auspicious of all the Maha Kumbh in the past 144 years is in 2025.”
These four planets are the Sun, Moon, Jupiter and Saturn.
With inputs from agencies