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The biggest gathering of humanity on earth, the Maha Kumbh mela, kicked off on January 13, 2025, at Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj. Here’s the lowdown on the festival, and what you could do if you plan a visit here.
The mother of all gatherings, the Maha Kumbh, a once-in-12-year event, is taking place at Prayagraj in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh between January 13 and February 26, 2025. The mela (fair) is estimated to attract over 40 crore people, and if you’re passionate about Indian festivals, you wouldn’t want to miss this extravaganza for anything.
Know more about the Kumbh Mela
The Maha Kumbh mela, also known as the Great Indian Pitcher Festival, is a sacred Hindu festival where devotees take a dip in the waters where three rivers - the Ganga, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati - meet.
As per reports, the electricity being consumed at the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 shall exceed the monthly consumption of 100,000 urban apartments. (Photo courtesy www.kumbh.gov.in)
As per legend, Lord Vishnu once successfully secured a golden pot of immortal nectar from demons. During a tussle for the same, drops fell on four places on the earth. These were Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. Each of these places hosts the Kumbh Mela once in three years, forming a 12-year cycle.
The ‘Maha’ or great Kumbh Mela is organised once in 12 years and is considered the biggest and most auspicious of them. This year’s Maha Kumbh is more special because of a celestial alignment that takes place once in 144 years.
By bathing in the confluence of the three said rivers at Prayagraj, devotees believe they’re absolved of all sin.
Logistical feat
As per reports, authorities have created a temporary city for the 40 crore visitors who are expected to attend the Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj. Nearly 150,000 tents have been erected over an area of 4000 hectares, with 145,000 restrooms and 3000 kitchens to cater to the crowd.
The sangam (meeting) of three rivers at Prayagraj is considered a holy site for sacred dips by devotees. (Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons)
The electricity that is expected to be consumed here shall exceed what 100,000 urban apartments can use in a month! Over and above the regular train connections to Prayagraj, 98 special trains will make 3300 trips to help visitors get to the venue of the mela.
Around 125 ambulances shall be parked across the mela grounds to help those with health complications to get medical assistance.
Things to do at the Maha Kumbh
For those braving the crowds to experience the Maha Kumbh, here are some activities you must take part in.
The Maha Kumbh Mela takes place at Prayagraj once in every twelve years. (Photo courtesy www.kumbh.gov.in)
A bath at the Triveni Sangam is a sacred ritual that all attendees like to participate in. Besides absolving the bather of sins, devotees believe the ritual leads to spiritual salvation.
If you’re keen to observe such rituals, do witness the Shahi Snan (royal bath) procession where saints and ascetics take a dip in the holy waters amid much fanfare.
You could also explore the spiritual camps and akharas that offer religious discourses to visitors, conduct yoga sessions and offer one-on-one consultations with spiritual gurus to help with better insights on Hinduism.
The Ganga aarti (prayers) on the banks of the Ganges involves offering lamps to the sacred river, while chants are recited in the background.
People believe that bathing in the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers absolves them of sins. (Photo courtesy Shutterstock )
Processions by the Naga Sadhus, where their austere practices are in evidence, are a great activity to observe even for photo enthusiasts. Besides the specifically religious activities, visitors can get a taste of regional food at the stalls set up for the mela, and also explore local sights around Prayagraj, which is a historical place.
Getting in
Prayagraj airport is connected by flight to all the major cities including Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. There is a bigger airport in Varanasi, which is located 120 kilometres away.
The railway station at Prayagraj is also connected by rail to all the major cities and towns of India. That said, a special number of buses will ply the town during the Maha Kumbh mela, and you can get off at the Prayagraj ISBT if you choose this mode of transportation. UP CM Yogi Adityanath has directed the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) to run buses to Prayagraj from all districts of the state.
For commuting within the town, shared cabs, autos and rickshaws are available.
It is advisable to book a hotel closer to the bathing ghats of the town so that you can get a ringside view of all the action.
Cultural performances are a part of the line-up at the Maha Kumbh Mela. (Photo courtesy www.kumbh.gov.in)
The Maha Kumbh promises to be a religious, cultural and social event of a scale that’s second to none. So whether you’re a believer or not, we recommend you make a date with history by being a part of the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, and make memories for a lifetime.
For more information log onto https://kumbh.gov.in/.
The lead image on top depicts ascetics taking a dip in the holy waters of the Maha Kumbh. (Photo courtesy Shutterstock)
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