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Tuesday, 14 January 2025

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Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 - about this massive event with massive participation and the massive preparations made for it this year

Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 begins with a record breaking 1.5 Crore (15 million) devotees taking the holy dip at Prayagraj on day one, and 3.5 crore (35 million) devotees performing Amrit Snan on day two.

A bird's-eye view of Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 gathering at Prayagraj
A breathtaking view of the Triveni Sangam at Prayagraj during Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. Image Source : PIB India.

Maha Kumbh Mela is held at Prayagraj this year in 2025. It began on January 13 with a record breaking 1.5 Crore (15 million) devotees taking the holy dip at Prayagraj and 3.5 crore (35 million) devotees performing amrit snan on day 2, on January 14. The Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj in 2025 this year is held from 13 January to 26 February 2025.

Maha Kumbh Mela is celebrated once every 12 years for every revolution that Brihaspati (planet Jupiter) completes around the sun. This once-in-12-years festival used to be known as the Purna Kumbh Mela (purna means complete, signifying the complete Jupiter cycle of approximately 12 years), and now called Maha Kumbh Mela. These Maha Kumbh Melas are held cyclically at four sacred riverbank locations, each one being held once in 12 years but in a different year, with the one at the Triveni Sangam at Prayag or modern-day Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh regarded as the greatest and holiest of all, as it is the location of a confluence of sacred rivers.

Kumbh Mélā, like its precursor Māgh Mélā, is essentially an act of devout Hindu pilgrims taking a dip or a bath (snān) in the sacred waters on specific times defined by the time of the year or positions of celestial objects on the celestial sphere, where it is believed by the devotees that it will wash away not only their own sins but also the sins of their ancestors; and it is also believed that these sacred waters can purify the minds and souls just like pure water can cleanse the body from impurities.

It is a religious ritual performed by the Hindu believers for the atonement or expiation of sins or to be liberate their Ātmā (soul) from the cycles of punarjanma (rebirth). It is also believed to be a very auspicious occasion that brings many blessings to those who participate in this sacred ritual.

Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest peaceful gathering, draws millions of pilgrims who bathe in the confluence of sacred rivers, seeking to purify themselves from sins and to attain moksha. Moksha means salvation or spiritual liberation from cycles of rebirth, as per Hindu beliefs. Kumbh Mela is inscribed in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims on earth. [1]

A Kumbh Mela, previously called an Ardh Kumbh Mela (that means Half Kumbh), takes place for every 6 years after a Maha Kumbha Mela. In the year 2017, on the occasion of unveiling the logo for 2019 Ardh Kumbh, the government decided to change the nomenclature and it was announced that the Ardh Kumbh Mela (once in 6 years) will henceforth be known as Kumbh Mela and the Purna Kumbh Mela (once in 12 years) will be called as Maha Kumbh Mela, meaning a Great or Large Kumbh Mela. [2].

A Mélā means a religious festival or fair, and the Kumbh Mela, or such festivals where pilgrims take a holy dip in the sacred waters, in general, is an important part of ancient Indian traditions, history, culture, and heritage.

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A record-breaking opening to Maha Kumbh Mela 2025

As per the report by the Ministry of Culture (MoC), Govt. of India, on 13 January 2025, the first day of this year's Maha Kumbh Mela, over 1.5 Crore (15 million) devotees took the holy dip. [3]

On day 2 of Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, on 14 January 2025, which is the first day of amrit snan, by 5:30 PM on this day, the Maha Kumbh Mela had 3.5 crore devotees (35 million) participating, as per another report by the Ministry of Culture. [13]

A bird's-eye view of Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 gathering at Prayagraj
A breathtaking view of the Triveni Sangam at Prayagraj during Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. Image Source : PIB India.

As per the Ministry of Culture report of 13 January 2025, thousands of devotees had already begun arriving two days before the official bathing day. It further mentions that Uttar Pradesh government’s meticulous arrangements for the Maha Kumbh 2025 has garnered widespread appreciation and the devotees have expressed their satisfaction with the well-organised infrastructure that seamlessly managed the massive influx of visitors.

The report says that this massive event has brought together devotees and spiritual seekers not only from across India, but also those from around the world. International pilgrims and tourists, including YouTubers from South Korea and visitors from Japan, Spain, Russia, and the United States, were captivated by the event’s grandeur. At the Sangam Ghat, many of them engaged with local guides to understand the cultural and spiritual essence of the Maha Kumbh.

Several foreign tourists and devotees were also seen on social media today, expressing their experience at the Maha Kumbh Mela, for example, those who were Turkish, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Brazilian, German, American, etc.

Foreign devotees not only witnessed the Maha Kumbh but also actively participated in the rituals. Sadhus and sanyasis from various countries, having embraced Sanatan Dharma, took the holy dip, adding to the festival’s spiritual diversity. Apple co-founder late Steve Job's wife and widow, Laurene Powell Jobs is a prominent foreigner visiting and taking part in the rituals of this Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 by staying at her spiritual guru's camp.[14]

The Ministry of Culture report of 13 January 2025 also highlights the many facilities for safety and security at place, such as the Bhula-Bhatka camps that play an important role in reuniting people or families separated at the massive mela, loudspeakers along the ghats that continuously broadcasted announcements and helped speedy reunion of separated individuals, police forces who worked tirelessly to assist the attendees, Lost and Found centres utilising digital tools and social media to locate missing individuals, all of these which ensured a well-organised massive event.

The report also highlighted Uttar Pradesh government's significant efforts to expand the bathing area, with the irrigation department reclaiming over 2 hectares of land at the Triveni Sangam within 85 days, which enabled two lakh devotees to bathe simultaneously. Using four dredging machines, 26 hectares of additional land was reclaimed, which tripled the Sangam’s capacity compared to the Ardh Kumbh Mela in 2019. [3]


And as per their January 14, 2025 report, the administration deployed over 50,000 security personnel, which included police, paramilitary forces, and local security staff. In addition to that, 'Ganga Seva Doots' (Ganga service volunteers) were stationed at the ghats (riverbanks) to maintain cleanliness of the place as well as the rivers. Flowers were showered from a helicopter, on the ghats of Triveni Sangam on the occassion of amrit snan on day 2, January 14th 2025, on Makar Sankranti.

It also mentions that Assam's traditional festival, Bhogali Bihu, was also held within the mela premises of this year's Kumbh Mela, where Assamese saints and devotees conducted traditional dances, hymns, and distributed rice-based delicacies, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Northeast regions of India. [13]

Massive facilities and arrangements at Maha Kumbh Mela 2025

A bird's-eye view of Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 gathering at Prayagraj
A breathtaking view of the Triveni Sangam at Prayagraj during Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. Image Source : PIB India.

There has been a massive amount of preparations and arrangements to facilitate this massive Kumbh Mela to be a smooth and safe event. Some of them are listed below.


  • Temporary City Setup: Mahakumbh Nagar transformed into a temporary city with thousands of tents and shelters, including super deluxe accommodations like the IRCTC's "Mahakumbh Gram" luxury tent city which offers deluxe tents and villas with modern amenities. ITDC has set up 80 Luxury accommodation at Tent City, Prayagraj. [4][5]
  • 92 roads are renovated, with beautification of 17 roads, and construction of 30 bridges is achieved using 3,308 pontoons. [4]
  • 800 multilingual signage (Hindi, English, and regional languages), and 2,69,000 plates for pathways laid in the Mela area. Plus, Mobile toilets and robust waste management systems in place. [4]
  • Digital and Online Services, such as, a dedicated mobile app that provides real-time updates on crowd density, emergency alerts, directions, and accommodation details. In addition to this, online registration and ticketing to streamline visitor management. Temporary Wi-Fi zones to ensure connectivity for visitors, and integration with Google Maps for navigation within Mahakumbh Nagar. [4]
  • There are also Tourism and Cultural events, such as, the Uttar Pradesh Pavilion, spanning 5 acres near Nagavasuki Temple, showcasing UP’s tourism circuits such as the Ramayana Circuit, Krishna-Braj Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Bundelkhand Circuit, and features a handicrafts market along with cultural programs. Cultural Events, such as, classical music performances, dance, and exhibitions on India’s spiritual heritage. [4]
  • New corridors were developed, such as, Akshayavat Corridor, Saraswati Koop Corridor and Patalpuri Corridor. Nagvasuki Temple and Hanuman Temple Corridor were renovated. [4]
  • Medical care for millions of pilgrims arriving from around the globe. [6]
  • Several security measures, such as, intelligence squads; multiple checkpoints around the district; articulating water towers set up by UP fire and emergency services; Hi-Tech Security Infrastructure such as AI and Drone Surveillance to monitor the vast Maha Kumbh areas with AI-powered cameras, drones, anti-drones, and tethered drones; Underwater Drones and sonar systems providing 24/7 surveillance beneath the rivers; cyber security team; State-of-the-Art Equipment for Multi-Disaster Response and Emergency Readiness for handling situations from natural disasters to road accidents, rescuing individuals buried under debris etc.; Remote-Controlled Life Buoys; Incident Response System (IRS) with response team; Seven-Tier Security Framework; Strengthened Infrastructure; Comprehensive Force Deployment of over 10,000 police personnel, along with PAC, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) units and also deployment of paramilitary forces, bomb disposal squads, and other security forces; Enhanced River Security by Water Police; Emergency Response Tools such as FRP speed motor boats, mobile remote area lighting systems, Anaconda motorboats, three Water Police stations and two floating rescue stations functioning 24/7, Four water ambulances, Deep-Water Barricading, and other safety measures. [7]
  • Around 56,000 sq. meters of Dense Forests is created in Prayagraj in last two years using Miyawaki Technique, and Garbage dumps transformed into lush green forests, aiding environmental conservation, as part of Mahakumbh 2025. [8]
  • Eco-friendly measure such as Temporary sewage treatment plants to ensure clean water in the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, and the use of solar power for lighting, promotion of reusable materials, and a ban on single-use plastics. [4]
  • During the Mahakumbh Mela, Indian Railways will operate over 3,100 special trains in addition to 10,000 regular trains, sets up 1,186 CCTV cameras across nine stations in the Prayagraj Mela region, and more. [9]
  • To facilitate easier access for domestic and international visitors and to enhance convenience of travel for tourists attending the Maha Kumbh, the Ministry of Tourism partnered with Alliance Air to enhance airways connectivity to Prayagraj from multiple cities across India. [5]


What is the Kumbh Mela?

Let us breifly look into what is the Kumbh Mela and its deep roots in ancient Indian traditions.

A bird's-eye view of Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 gathering at Prayagraj
A breathtaking view of the Triveni Sangam at Prayagraj during Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. Image Source : PIB India.

Kumbh Mela is a religious pilgrimage in Hinduism. The sacred bathing ceremony is main purpose of Kumbh Mela. At Prayag, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the invisible Sarasvati rivers, known as Triveni Sangam or Sangam, millions of devotees gather to perform this sacred ritual.

In Hinduism, it is believed that by immersing yourself in these divine waters, you can purify yourself from your sins, and it will liberate both yourself and your ancestors from the cycles of rebirth (as believed in Hinduism), and ultimately guide you towards Moksha (meaning salvation or spiritual liberation).

In addition to the sacred bathing rituals, there will also be fairs, religious discourses by saints, and various cultural performances such as dance or entertainment in the mela. The word mela itself means a religious gathering during a festival which includes a fair with all such religious, cultural and also commercial activities with various stalls, etc.

The major Kumbh Mela evets, or the Maha Kumbh Mela, is held once in 12 years at four river-bank pilgrimage sites. The Mela site keeps rotating between one of the four pilgrimages on four sacred rivers, with the major Kumbh Mela at each site being held once in 12 years. These Kumbh Mela sites are listed below.

  • In Haridwar, Uttarakhand, on the banks of River Ganga
  • In Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh on the banks of River Shipra (Also known as Ujjain Simhastha)
  • In Nashik, Maharashtra on the banks of River Godavari. (Also known as Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha)
  • In Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, at the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the invisible Sarasvati, known as "Triveni Sangam" or "Sangam". (Sangam means joining or merging) (Previous event held in 2013, current one ongoing in 2025)

The original Saraswati river which is mentioned in the ancient Vedas has mostly dried up in its original course and has been nonexistent since centuries, but it is believed to be joining Ganga and Yamuna at this sangam (confluence) at Prayag. The exact dates of each Kumbh Mela is determined based on a combination of zodiac positions of Jupiter, Sun and Moon.

Kumbh Mela is inscribed in 2017, on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage page describes Kumbh Mela (the festival of the sacred Pitcher) as the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims on earth, during which participants bathe or take a dip in a sacred river. It also states that the event encapsulates the science of astronomy, astrology, spirituality, ritualistic traditions, and social and cultural customs and practices, making it extremely rich in knowledge. [1]

The Kumbh Mela organised at each site is based on a distinct set of astrological positions of the Sun, the Moon, and planet Jupiter. Purna Kumbh Melas (Purna means complete or full) are held once in every 12 years, and Ardh Kumbh Mela (Ardh means half) in-between them with six years gap.

In December 2017, after Kumbh Mela was declared as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, and while unveiling the logo for 2019 Ardh Kumbh Mela, UP's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, as per news reports, said that till now Ardh Kumbh was held every 6 years and Kumbh every 12 years, but henceforth, the Ardh Kumbh will be known as Kumbh and Kumbh will be called Maha Kumbh, as there is nothing incomplete in the Sanatan Hindu culture, he said, according to a Sanskrit vedic sholka, which he quoted on the occassion. [2]


Mahā means great, large, enormous, massive etc., in Sanskrit and other Indic languages, and the Kumbh Mela of this year in 2025 is indeed a massive one with a very large number of participants, so this new terminology of calling 12 years Kumbh Mela as a Maha Kumbh Mela actually makes sense.

While the governments and their agencies provide take part in arranging, facilitating, and ensuring a safe and secure success of the mela along with its smooth operation, it is the religious organisations such as the Ashrams and Akharas that organise and perform the rituals and imparting and safeguarding knowledge and skills relating to Kumbh Mela, with the teacher-student relationship of the sadhus and their disciples play the most important role in this. [1]

The massive Kumbh Melas are attended by millions of people irrespective of caste, creed or gender, making it a truly culturally rich and diverse massive gathering on earth, with such massive numbers of people across all the walks of life coming together at the same place for a common purpose of spiritual liberation. People from across India, and even across the world, arrive without any invitaion and take part in this massive festival of faith.


Apart from this Kumbh Mela, there are also Māgha mela, which is a similar festival of taking a dip or bath at holy rivers or temple tanks, which take place across several sacred locations across India. These are melas that are held in the month of Magha in the Hindu calendars (which is around January or February every year in the Gregorian calendar). Magha Mela is still held every year at this location of Prayagraj, with the mela having a way more massive gathering whenever it is time for a Kumbh Mela.

Magha Melas are an obvious precursor to Kumbh Melas. Magha Mela are mentioned in the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata and many puranas, with the earliest mention of Prayag and the bathing pilgrimage is in a supplement to the Rigveda [10]. Kumbh Melas, that is these special melas held once in 12 years, are believed to be started by the renowned ancient Indian Vedic scholar and philosopher Shri Adi Shankaracharya [2], who lived in either 6th century CE or 8th century CE, as per different sources.

So, the holy dips or sacred bathing rituals at certain auspicious times of the year or based on specific positions of celestial bodies in the skies is evidently a very age old practice dating back to the very ancient times of the Rigveda, or the earlier Vedic era in Indian subcontinent. Even today such sacred bathing rituals are continued across India, during various occasions, especially during the Magha month, for example, on Makara Sankranthi, which signifies the Uttarāyana (Sun's northward transit on the celestial sphere).

At Haridwar, on the banks of river Ganga, a celebrated fair (mela) is held every year in the month of April. When Jupiter is in Aquarius, or the Sun enters Aries — which happens every twelfth year, that year the mela is the Maha Kumbh Mela in that place, as a great increase in the efficacy of the rite is possible during that period which comes once every 12 years. [15]

According to the ancient Indian legends or mythology, Shri Vishnu was carrying a Kumbh (a pot) of amrit (a divine liquid which is said to give immortality to those who drink it). When a scuffle broke out between the Suras and Asuras and four drops were spilled, which fell to earth at the four Tirthas of Prayag, Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain. A tirtha is a place where a devotee can attain salvation. The event is commemorated every three years by the Kumbh Mela which is held at each tirtha in turn.

The Kumbh Mela is an event that involves the science of astronomy, astrology, spirituality, ritualistic traditions, and socio-cultural customs and practices, which make it extremely rich in culture, heritage and knowledge. This event is celebrated across a broad spectrum of pilgrims of the Hindu faith. Participants of this massive Mela include ascetics, such as Sadhus and Naga Sadhus, who practice intense spiritual discipline, hermits who emerge from seclusion to join the Mela, seekers of spiritual wisdom, and also the everyday practitioners of Hinduism. This vast gathering contains a unique convergence of faith, wisdom, and cultural heritage.

The Sangam or Triveni Sangam, at Prayag is known as Tirtharaj, the ‘King of Tirthas’ and here the Kumbh is held once in every twelve years, which is the greatest and holiest of all.

The Maha Kumbh Mela this year in 2025 is held at Prayagraj. Prayag, the modern-day Prayagraj, is believed to be the most important pilgrimage centre for Hindus. Traditionally River confluences are regarded as auspicious places, but in Triveni Sangam, the significance of the confluence is most pious because here, the three sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati meet to become one river. [11][12]

Major Bathing Dates for Maha Kumbh 2025 at Prayagraj are :

  • Paush Purnima :13 January 2025
  • Makar Sankranti : 14 January 2025
  • Mauni Amavasya : 29 January 2025
  • Basant Panchami : 04 February 2025
  • Maghi Purnima : 12 February 2025
  • Mahashivratri : 26 February 2025

More Details on Kumbh Mela

For more information about the Maha Kumbh Mela, how to attend, dates and timings of events, what to do and what not to do, tourist guides, travel and stay, helpline numbers, etc., visit the official website for Kumbh Mela -- https://kumbh.gov.in/

For weather forecasts, weather warnings and alerts, IMD (India Meteorological Department) has a special page for Maha Kumbh Weather in Prayagraj district.

Tourists and visitors to Maha Kumbh Mela may also use the 24x7 toll-free Tourist Infoline (1800111363 or 1363), which is available in English, Hindi, Indian regional languages, and also in ten international languages.

Location Map

Triveni Sangam at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.


References
  1. Kumbh Mela - intangible heritage - Culture Sector - UNESCO. Retrieved on 13 January 2025.
  2. It's Kumbh '2019', and not Ardh Kumbh: Yogi Adityanath - Times of India, TNN, on Dec 13, 2017, 04.19 PM IST. Retrieved on 13 January 2025.
  3. The Beginning of Maha Kumbh 2025 - Ministry of Culture, Govt of India, on PIB - Press Information Bureau. Posted On: 13 JAN 2025 8:45PM by PIB Delhi. Retrieved on 13 January 2025.
  4. Maha Kumbh 2025: A Seamless and Spiritually Enriching Journey Awaits Devotees - Ministry of Culture, Govt of India, on PIB - Press Information Bureau. Posted On: 29 DEC 2024 10:59AM by PIB Delhi. Retrieved on 13 January 2025.
  5. Ministry of Tourism Unveils Major Initiatives to Promote Maha Kumbh 2025 as Global Tourism Hub - Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India, on PIB - Press Information Bureau. Posted On: 12 JAN 2025 10:02AM by PIB Delhi. Retrieved on 13 January 2025.
  6. Healing at the Maha Kumbh 2025 - Ministry of Culture, Govt of India, on PIB - Press Information Bureau. Posted On: 08 JAN 2025 5:03PM by PIB Delhi. Retrieved on 13 January 2025.
  7. Security at Maha Kumbh 2025 - Ministry of Culture, Govt of India, on PIB - Press Information Bureau. Posted On: 07 JAN 2025 6:46PM by PIB Delhi. Retrieved on 13 January 2025.
  8. Around 56,000 sq. meters of Dense Forests created in Prayagraj in last two years using Miyawaki Technique - Ministry of Culture, Govt of India, on PIB - Press Information Bureau. Posted On: 08 JAN 2025 7:07PM by PIB Delhi. Retrieved on 13 January 2025.
  9. Union Railway Minister inaugurated a war room at Rail Bhavan to monitor nine Prayagraj region stations via 1,186 CCTV cameras and oversee Mahakumbh Mela arrangements at five levels - Ministry of Railways, Govt of India, on PIB - Press Information Bureau. Posted On: 12 JAN 2025 10:40PM by PIB Delhi. Retrieved on 13 January 2025.
  10. Krishnaswamy, C.S.; Ghosh, Amalananda (October 1935). "A Note on the Allahabad Pillar of Aśoka". The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. 4 (4): 697–706. JSTOR 25201233.
  11. The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025: Embracing Unity in the Sacred Waters of Prayagraj - Ministry of Culture, Govt of India, on PIB - Press Information Bureau. Posted On: 05 NOV 2024 6:35PM by PIB Delhi. Retrieved on 13 January 2025.
  12. Kumbh Mela - Uttar Pradesh Tourism. Retrieved on 13 January 2025.
  13. By 5:30 PM today, over 3.5 crore Devotees participate in the 1st Amrit Snan on Makar Sakranti at the Maha Kumbh 2025, amidst tight Security Arrangements - Ministry of Culture, Govt of India, on PIB - Press Information Bureau. Posted On: 14 JAN 2025 8:39PM by PIB Delhi. Retrieved on 14 January 2025.
  14. Steve Jobs' Wife Laurene Powell Gets This Hindu Name, To Don Saffron Attire In Maha Kumbh - News18. Aveek Banerjee, News18.com. Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 20:15 IST. Retrieved on 14 January 2025.
  15. Robert Montgomery Martin (1858). The Indian Empire. Vol. 3. The London Printing and Publishing Company. pp. 4–5.

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