The Maha Kumbh Mela is a Hindu pilgrimage and festival that celebrates the sacred pitcher. It's a gathering of millions of people, including ascetics, saints, and pilgrims. The festival is rooted in Hindu mythology and is celebrated every 12 years.
History
The festival's origins are uncertain, but some historians believe it dates back to the 8th century. The festival's founding myth is about a fight between gods and demons over a pot of immortality. The pot was spilt in four places, which is why the Kumbh Mela is held in four locations.
Tradition
The festival is held when Jupiter is in Aries and the Sun and Moon are in Capricorn. The festival is known for its many ascetics, or sadhus, who perform rituals, offer blessings, and engage with pilgrims. The festival is known for its Naga Sadhus, who cover their bodies with ash and wear long dreadlocks.
The festival is known for its royal bath, or Amritan, where ascetics led by Naga sadhus take ceremonial dips in holy rivers.
Significance
The festival is considered the most sacred of all Kumbh Melas. The festival is believed to bring about spiritual cleansing, liberation, and ties to divinity.
The Sanskrit word kumbh means pitcher, or pot. The story goes that when Devas (gods) and Asuras (loosely translated as demons) churned the ocean, Dhanvantri emerged carrying a pitcher of amrita, or the elixir of immortality. To make sure the Asuras don't get it, Indra's son, Jayant, ran off with the pot. The Sun, his son Shani, Brihaspati (the planet Jupiter), and the Moon went along to protect him and the pot.
As Jayant ran, the amrita spilt at four spots: Haridwar, Prayagraj, Ujjain, and Nashik-Trimbakeshwar. He ran for 12 days, and as one day of the Devas is equal to one year of humans, Kumbh Mela is celebrated at these locations every 12 years, based on the relative positions of the Sun, the Moon, and Jupiter.
Prayagraj is hosting the Maha Kumbh this time, or the Poorna Kumbh, held every 12 years. Many myths are prevalent around the Kumbh Mela, many theories about its exact origin. Some believe the festival finds mention in the Vedas and Puranas. Some say it is far more recent, going back barely two centuries. What is known for certain is that today, it is one of the largest gatherings of devotees witnessed anywhere on earth.
What is the Kumbh Mela, and why is it held in four cities periodically? What is Ardh Kumbh and Maha Kumbh? What is the origin of this festival, and why do millions attend it?
The answers, as in many questions about Hinduism, lie in a mixture of myths, history, and the enduring faith of an ancient people, trusting as much in the munificence of invisible deities as in tangible life-givers like rivers.
Prayagraj and Haridwar also hold the Ardh-Kumbh (ardh means half), every six years. The festival held after 12 years is called the Poorna Kumbh, or the Maha Kumbh.
All four places are located on the banks of rivers - Haridwar has the Ganga, Prayagraj is the sangam or meeting point of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, Ujjain has the Kshipra, and Nashik-Trimbakeshwar the Godavari.
It is believed that taking a dip in these rivers during Kumbh, amid the specific alignment of the heavenly bodies, washes away one’s sins and accrues punya (spiritual merit).
Kumbh Melas are also the venue where Sadhus and other holy men gather - the sadhu akhadaas attracting a lot of curiosity - and regular people can meet them and learn from them.
While the importance of the Ganga in Hindu religion is well-known, the Kshipra is believed to have emerged from the heart of Vishnu in his Varah (boar) avatar. The Godavari is often called the Ganga of Dakshin (south).
How is the site of a Kumbh Mela decided?
This depends on astrological calculations. Another reason for the 12-year gap in Kumbh Melas is explained by the fact that Jupiter takes 12 years to complete on revolution around the Sun.
According to the Kumbh Mela website, when Jupiter is in Aquarius or Kumbh rashi (whose symbol is the water bearer), and Sun and Moon in Aries and Sagittarius respectively, Kumbh is held at Haridwar.
When the Jupiter is in Taurus, and the Sun and Moon are in Capricorn or Makar (thus, Makar Sankranti is also in this period) the Kumbh is held at Prayag.
When Jupiter is in Leo or Simha, and the Sun and Moon in Cancer, the Kumbh is held at Nashik and Trimbakeshwar, which is why they are also called the Simhastha Kumbh.
The four places of the Mahakumbh Mela are Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain.
Prayagraj
The most sacred of the four sites, the Maha Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years in Prayagraj. The Kumbh Mela is celebrated at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.
Haridwar
The Kumbh Mela is celebrated on the banks of the Ganges.
Nashik
The Kumbh Mela is celebrated in Nashik-Trimbak on the banks of the Godavari. Nashik is a center for commerce and industry, but it also retains its spiritual and cultural ethos.
Ujjain
The Kumbh Mela is celebrated in Ujjain on the banks of the Shipra. According to legend, the four drops of amrit (nectar) fell on these four places when Vishnu was carrying a pot of amrit during a scuffle.
Who are Naga Sadhus?
Naga Sadhus are a group of Hindu ascetics who have renounced wordly possessions and dedicate their lives to spiritual enlightenment. They are known for their ash-covered bodies, matted hair, and minimalistic clothing.
Features: They are members of various Hindu monastic orders, mainly the Shaiva and Vaishnava sects. They are often naked, even in cold weather. They wear heavy coils of matted hair. They hold tridents or other weapons. They smoke marijuana through a pipe called chillum or "Shiv Muli".
History:
- The Naga tradition began in the 8th century when Adi Shankaracharya created them as a Hindu army to protect Hinduism; They are central to the Maha Kumbh Mela, where they arrive to take a holy dip at Sangam.
Significance:
- They are protectors of temples; They are a spectacle in the Maha Kumbhs; They are militant in nature and always ready to fight for Hinduism as religious warriors;They are inspired by Lord Shiva.
What are the rituals of Mahakumbh?
The Maha Kumbh Mela is a sacred gathering that includes many rituals, including bathing, processions, worship, and spiritual discourses.
Bathing- Shahi Snan: A royal bath performed by saints and spiritual leaders in holy rivers
Ritual bathing: Devotees take ritual baths in holy rivers on auspicious days
Processions: Colorful parades: Sadhus and religious figures lead devotees in a parade around the city
Worship: Pujas and havans: Fire offerings and other rituals are performed
Sankirtan and bhajans: Devotees sing hymns and devotional songs
Spiritual discourses - Sermons: Renowned scholars and spiritual leaders deliver talks on religion, spirituality, and life
Other rituals: Yoga and meditation: Pilgrims participate in yoga and meditation sessions
Annadan: Free food is distributed to pilgrims and visitors
Significance: The bathing ritual is considered the most significant ritual at the Maha Kumbh Mela. It is believed to cleanse sins, liberate participants from the cycle of rebirth, and attain spiritual liberation.
Beliefs: The Maha Kumbh Mela is a symbolic journey of purification, enlightenment, and salvation. It is deeply rooted in ancient Hindu mythology.
Who is the famous girl in Kumbh Mela?
Monalisa Bhonsle, a 16-year-old garland seller from Indore, became famous for her beauty and demeanor at the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Her striking features and engaging demeanor, and being called "Mahakumbh ki Mona Lisa.
List of the 13 recognised Akharas
Juna Akhara; Niranjani Akhara; Mahanirvani Akhara; Atal Akhara; Ahwan Akhara; Nirmohi Akhara; Anand Akhara and Panchagni Akhara.
