- 14 Jan, 2025
Maha Kumbh, also called Poorna Kumbh, is the festival held after 12 years in Prayagraj. Maha Kumbh 2025 has been marked up as a rare celestial alignment that occurs once every 144 years. This is considered the most significant event in India, where all four places are on river banks. Haridwar has the Ganga, and Prayagraj is the sangam or meeting point of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. This grand festival showcases India's rich cultural heritage and spiritual traditions. It is also known as 2025 Maha Kumbh, and it is the ongoing iteration of the Maha Kumbh Mela scheduled to take place from January 13 to February 26, 2025, at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. This 'grand' iteration of the Kumbh Mela is a once-in-144-year event scheduled to last 44 days.
Thus, Mahakumbh Mela symbolizes the victory of the Gods over demons. Therefore, it is expected to be attended by 400 million visitors, who will have to visit dignitaries from the United States, France, and other countries.
The significance of Kumbh Mela.
It is the world's largest peaceful spiritual gathering, one of the most energetic and spiritually charged fairs ever. This is not just an event; it is a celebration of faith, religion, soul, and devotion. The legends say that when Lord Vishnu took the pot of Amrit away from the Asuras (demons), four drops of Amrit fell in 4 different locations, and those cities now host the Kumbh melas. The festival is celebrated at the confluence of rivers in each town, and devotees dip in the sacred rivers during the festival, which are believed to wash away sins and bring spiritual merit.
The Type of Kumbh.
In Mahakumbh 2025 Prayagraj, the world is about to experience the most historical event, and their people will witness the grandeur of the Maha Kumbh Mela, a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. Thus, there are a total of 4 types of Kumbh, and each tends to happen in a specific time frame, certain locations, and different planetary alignments.
The Magh Mela.
Magh Mela is an annual event that tends to be held at the Prayagraj during the month of Magh, or the first day between January and February. The devotees gather at the Triveni Sangam, the connecting point of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. There, they take a ritualistic dip in the rivers and offer prayers to the Gods and Goddesses.
The Ardh Kumbh.
Ardh Kumbh is celebrated once every six years. Ardh means half, and likewise, it is also the half portion of the Purna Kumbh. The Ardh Kumbh Mela is a large-scale gathering that prepares devotees for the Purna Kumbh, and the last Ardh Kumbh was held in Prayagraj in 2019.
Purna Kumbh.
The Purna Kumbh Mela occurs once every 12 years and can be held in any sacred location, such as Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nashik, or Ujjain. Thus, Jupiter's position about the Sun and Moon decides the date and time of the Ourna Kumbht, celebrated after 12 years because of Jupiter's complete cycle around the Sun.
Maha Kumbh 2025.
The Maha Kumbh Mela is the most powerful and rarest of all Kumbh gatherings. It is said that the Mahakumbh comes only once every 144 years. Thus, after 12 Purna Kumbh, one Mahakumbh is celebrated. This year is the time to celebrate this historic event.
The Cities that host Kumbh Mela.
The four cities that host the Kumbh Mela are Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. It is said that During the fight between God and evil, the drops of the elixir fell into the four cities, which became the sites of the Kumbh Mela. Thus, the Kumbh Mela's location depends on the Sun's position and Jupiter. The Kumbh Mela is celebrated every 12 years, and an Ardh Kumbh Mela is celebrated every six years in Haridwar and Prayagraj.
About Maha Kumbh 2025.
The Maha Kumbh is a spiritual event that takes place in Prayagraj. The ongoing iteration of the Mahakumbh Start Date is January 13 to February 26, 2025, at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. Maha Kumbh 2025 is notable because of its religious significance and the rare celestial alignment that occurs only once every 144 years.
The Maha Kumbh Amrit Snan.
Sadhus of Shri Panchayati Akhada Mahanirvan were the first ones to take the holy dip/amrit scan at Triveni Sangam, a sacred confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, at Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj on January 14, 2025. Thus, various 'akharas' took the first 'Amrit Snan' at the Maha Kumbh Mela on the occasion of 'Makar Sankranti' on Tuesday (January 14, 2025), with 1.38 crore devotees taking a dip at the Triveni Sangam until 8.30 am:.The Amrit Snan began in the 'Brahma Mahurat' at around 3 am, and the icy waters of the Triveni Sangam hardly deter the devotees.
The first major Snan
The first major 'snan' of the Maha Kumbh was held on Monday on the occasion of 'Paush Purnima'; the akharas, or the members of the Hindu monastic orders, took their first snan on Makar Sankranti.
The special dates are to take Snan to Triveni Sangam.
There are a few primary snan dates for the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela. You can take snan on the following days if you can plan accordingly. The bathing dates are considered auspicious, and each has a unique significance. The following dates for snan are as follows:-
- Makar Sankranti: January 14, 2025, the first Shahi Snan
- Mauni Amavasya: January 29, 2025, the second Shahi Snan
- Basant Panchami: February 3, 2025, the third Shahi Snan
- Maghi Purnima: February 12, 2025, is a day for seeking blessings at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati.
- Maha Shivratri: February 26 is the final bathing day on Maha Shivratri, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
How to reach Maha Kumbh, Prayagraj?
You can reach Prayagraj to attend Maha Kumbh 2025 through different options. Thus, from the following modes, you can pick your preferred from the following and proceed accordingly.
Reach by Air:
Bard your light from your nearest airport and land at the Prayagraj airport, which is closest to the Mela grounds and has regular flights. Thus, if you are traveling internationally, you must arrive in Delhi or Varanasi to board your scheduled flight to Prayagraj. Therefore, the nearest airport to the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj is Bamrauli Airport, also known as Prayagraj Airport.
Reach by Train:
You can also choose to travel to Prayagraj by train, as there are around 20 trains that run from Delhi to Prayagraj, rather than boarding your scheduled flight. Various train services operate trains to Prayagraj, which includes Vande Bharat, Pryj Humsafar, Sampooran Express, Mahananda Express, Prayagraj Express, and more. You can choose any of the following to make the reservation:
Reach by Bus:
You can also travel to Prayagraj by car or bus, as various bus services are available. You can take a bus from your nearest bus stand, head to the nearest bus station in Prayagraj, and then attend the Kumbh Mela. You can either choose to drive or can head to Maha Kumb by bus.
When will the next maha kumbh will happen after 2025?
The next Mahakumbh Mela after 2025 will not take place until 2169, enhancing its significance for devotees of Mahakumbh Mela 2025. The Mahakumb Mela is a grand Hindu festival held after 12 years at four sacred sites.
What is the reason for celebrating Maha Kumb?
The origins of the Kumbh are linked to the worship of the Ganga as the great life force of the northern plains. Thus, During Jayant's journey, drops of amrita fell at four locations — Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nashik-Trimbakeshwar, and Ujjain. These places became the sites of the Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years based on the alignment of the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter.
Why is this year's Kumb the most unique of all time?
The Maha Kumbh Mela is celebrated in Prayagraj, marking the completion of 12 Kumbh Mela cycles, occurring once in 144 years. The 12 compilations of Puran Kumbh make one Maha Kumbh. The grand event is highly sacred, with Shahi Snan, or holy dip, being its highlight. Saints and monks from various akharas take the sacred dip at a particular time on auspicious days.
Where to stay in Kumbh?
After reaching the Kumbh, you can stay near the Triveni Sangam, be it in tent cities or the Akharas. According to the Kumbh official website, this is advisable for a comfortable pilgrimage to the Kumbh Mela. You can check the stays and their prices and choose to make the booking accordingly.
How long does Maha Kumbh Mela tend to happen?
The Maha Kumbh festival takes place over four days, respectively, and in several locations along the major rivers in central and northern India. "Maha" stands for great or grand, and "Kumbh" literally means pot.
How many people attended Mahakumbh?
There are devotees that are coming to attend a Maha Kumbh, where you will be located. Over two crore devotees have taken holy dips in Sangam. Amid the ongoing Mahakumbh 2025 festival, at least two crore people have taken the first Amrit Snan of Mahakumbh 2025 on Tuesday.
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