The Maha Kumbh Mela is one of the largest and most sacred religious gatherings drawing people from all over the world including ascetics, saints, naga sadhus, sadhvis, kalpvasis, and people from all walks of life.
So get ready, because this coming year will witness an even larger congregation in the holy city of Prayagraj.
After a long wait of 12 years, it is finally time to celebrate the Maha Kumbh Mela!
The Story About Kumbh Mela
Traditionally, the credit for the festival goes to the Hindu philosopher and saint Adi Shankara and his efforts to start major Hindu gatherings for philosophical discussions, debates, and teachings.
But the story of the origin of Maha Kumbh dates back to the legend of Samundra Manthan (churning of the cosmic ocean).
It is believed that the Devas and Asuras were churning the cosmic ocean and a Kumbh (pot) of Amrit (nectar of the gods) came out. The Amrit was so powerful that anyone who consumed it would become immortal, and no one could kill them.
To take this pot away from the Asuras, Lord Vishnu took the divine feminine form known as Mohini Avatar and flew skywards with the pot. But as she was flying, some drops of this holy nectar fell on the earth.
The places where the holy nectar fell are believed to be Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad), Ujjain, Nashik, and Haridwar.
This is why this massive celebration keeps rotating between one of these four pilgrimage sites on four sacred rivers
- Haridwar, Uttarakhand, on the banks of Ganges
- Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, on the banks of Shipra
- Nashik, Maharashtra, on the banks of Godavari
- Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, at the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical invisible river Sarasvati
Bathing in these rivers is believed to be a means to paryascitta (atonement, penance, restorative action) for past mistakes.
FUN FACT: On February 4, 2019, the Kumbh Mela witnessed the largest peaceful public gathering of humans ever recorded with more than 120 million people in attendance.
The Maha Kumbh Mela Schedule
Have you ever wondered who decides the dates and places of the festival? The Maha Kumbh Mela festival is held once every 12 years, which is also the time Jupiter takes to complete one revolution around the sun.
Hence, the Kumbh Mela 2025 date and place are based on a distinct set of astrological positions of the Sun, the Moon, and Jupiter.
When: The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 dates are from 13th January 2025 to 28th February 2025.
Where: Maha Kumbh festival 2025 is taking place in the holy city of Prayagraj where the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati converge. This exact place of happenings is Triveni Ghat, one of the holiest sites in Hinduism.
Kumbh Mela 2025 Shahi Snan Dates
Bathing in the holy river is the most important ritual at Kumbh. You can witness millions of pilgrims taking part in the bathing ritual at the Triveni Sangam.
It is believed that by submerging oneself in the holy waters, one is purged of all their sins, releasing themselves and their ancestors from the cycle of rebirth and ultimate attainment of Moksha.
Although you can take a dip on any day you want, these are some auspicious bathing dates you must look out for. One of them is the Shahi Snan, also known as ‘Rajyogi Snan’ at the start of the Kumbh.
This is where the saints and sadhus first take the dip, only after the Shahi Snan people are allowed to take the holy bath. It is done so that the people will get the added advantage of the essence of holy deeds and thoughts of the holy saints by taking the holy dip after them.
Here are some other important Kumbh Mela 2025 Shahi Snan date:
| DATES | OCCASION |
| 13 January 2025 | Paush Purnima |
| 14 January 2025 | Makar Sakranti |
| 29 January 2025 | Mauni Amavasya |
| 3 February 2025 | Basant Panchmi |
| 12 February 2025 | Maghi Purnima |
| 26 February 2025 | Maha Shivratri |
Although you might find these days overcrowded, trust me, it’ll all be worth it! The sublime sight of the majestic Akharas banging trumpets and horns and shouting ‘Har Har Mahadev’ will be something you’ll never forget.
What Can You Expect at the Maha Kumbh Mela?
The Mahakumbh Mela is mainly marked by a ritual dip in the holy water, along with numerous fairs, education, religious discourses by saints, free foods, and much more!
If this is your first time visiting the Kumbh Mela festival, you have to prepare yourself for a crazy and never-before-seen event.
The Naga Sadhus will descend from the Himalayas with long braided hair, covered in ashes and garlands and if you think they are anywhere near the sadhus you randomly see on the streets (no offense), then you’re wrong.
There will be religious and cultural shows, spiritual discourses, philosophical teachings, dance and music performances, along with shops where you can buy local handicrafts and ethnic crafts.
Also, let’s not forget the food! The best part of the festival is that even if you don’t have a single penny in your pocket, you won’t be sleeping empty stomach on any day of the Kumbh Mela.
Many pilgrims organize free food stalls for everyone called bhandaras, serving street food items like jalebi, samosa, kachori, pakoras, and others.
Dos and Don’ts at the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025
Kumbh Mela is an immensely important festival of the Hindu religion; hence, it greatly reciprocates the feelings and emotions of the pilgrims.
So if you’re attending the festival for the first time, make sure you follow these dos and don’ts strictly, since it’s no place to hurt anyone’s religious sentiments.
Dos
- Download the mobile app and check the website for movement plans, accommodation, key event dates, etc.
- Follow the rules, regulations, and instructions given through the Public Addressal System or any other mode.
- Be attentive towards your belongings and use lost & found centres for the loss of beloved belongings.
- Use only the bathing areas/ghats that the Mela administration authorizes.
- Inform the police or Mela administration if any unidentified or suspicious object is found.
- Use toilets and urinals available.
- Use dustbins for disposal of waste.
- Use proper parking spots for parking vehicles and follow traffic rules.
- Cooperate with the departments involved in organizing the Mela.
Don’ts
- Don’t attract unnecessary conflicts by provoking peers.
- Do not disrespect anyone intentionally or unintentionally.
- Avoid using plastic bags in the city and the celebration area during the Maha Kumbh Mela.
- Do not litter in the river or on the river banks with things like soap, toothbrushes, detergents, garlands, or other things.
- Don’t wander off from popular areas and bathing ghats.
- Avoid crowded places if you have a contagious disease.
- Don’t carry valuables like cash, jewelry, or expensive gadgets.
- Avoid eating the foods offered by strangers, and do not trust them.
- The Kumbh Mela authorities and district administration have built several toilets. So do not defecate in the open grounds and use the toilets instead.
- Do not wander off from the popular areas and bathing ghats alone.
To learn more about the various events and cultural programs, visit the official website of Kumbh Mela 2025, https://www.thekumbhyatra.com/.
Kumbh Mela 2025 Accommodation
If you have decided to travel to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela, you need to book your stay right now to avoid sleeping in ashrams and tents.
The Uttar Pradesh government has especially considered this aspect, and the Kumbh Mela 2025 accommodations have doubled in number.
There are many accommodation options on the official website of the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 recommended by Uttar Pradesh Tourism.
How to Reach Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj?
Prayagraj is a major city in Uttar Pradesh and is well-connected to all the major states of India. Here’s how you can reach Prayagraj in UP:
By train: Regular trains like Vande Bharat Express, Dbrt Rajdhani, Rjpb Tejas Raj, Hwh Rajdhani, etc. have routes that pass through Prayagraj. There are 8 railway stations in and around Prayagraj, as listed below:
- Prayagraj Junction (PYJ)
- Prayagraj Rambagh (PRRB)
- Prayagraj Sangam (PYG)
- Prayag Junction (PRG)
- Naini Junction (NYN)
- Prayagraj Chheoki (PCOI)
- Phaphamau Junction (PFM)
- Jhunsi (JI)
- Subedarganj
By air: Prayagraj Airport will be the closest one to the Kumbh Mela and you can find regular flights from all major Indian cities.
By road: The city is well connected to the National and State Highway network for transportation via road. State-run buses are available from many major destinations across the country.
Final Words
No one is rich or poor in the Kumbh Mela; these few days are when people of all ages, backgrounds, countries, and professions come together to celebrate their being, discover themselves, and cherish the gift of life.
The recent spiritual wave in Indian tourism has created a distinct hype for the festival. After all, witnessing the Maha Kumbh firsthand is an experience you will take with you to your deathbed.
Where is Maha Kumbh Mela 2025?
In 2025, the Maha Kumbh Mela is supposed to be held in Prayagraj, Utter Pradesh.
When will the Kumbh Mela be held in 2025?
Maha Kumbh will start on 13 January 2025 on the day of Paush Purnima and end on 28th February 2025.
Why is Maha Kumbh celebrated every 12 years?
Jupiter completes its full rotation of 12 zodiac signs in approximately 12 years. The Maha Kumbh is organized when Jupiter is in Aquarius and the Sun is in Aries.
What is the importance of Maha Kumbh?
It is said that bathing at this Sangam beach gives salvation and rids you and your ancestors of all the sins.
What is the next Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 place?
The next Maha Kumbh Mela will be organized from 13 January to 28 February 2025 in Prayagraj.
