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400 million Hindus to throng Maha Kumbh Mela in India

400 million Hindus to throng Maha Kumbh Mela in India

Last updated on: January 15, 2025 at 8:44 pm by Parveen Chopra

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400 million Hindus to throng Maha Kumbh Mela in India 2025-01-15T20:44:40-05:00 Parveen Chopra

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monks taking a dip in the river

A holy dip at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, the confluence of the three sacred rivers of Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati, on the auspicious dates of the Maha Kumbh is believed to wash away sins and grant you moksha. (Photo courtesy Remote Lands)

A massive global religious event is unfolding with astonishing numbers

Four hundred million pilgrims are expected to take a holy dip at the confluence of three sacred rivers in Prayagraj, north India, during the six weeks of the Maha Kumbh Mela, which began on January 13.

Kumbh melas go back in antiquity and occur every three years by rotation in four cities – Prayagraj (erstwhile Allahabad), Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. They are the largest gathering of humanity anywhere in the world. The Maha Kumbh 2025 is exceptional, and a bigger crowd-puller as the ordained astrological alignment of planets and stars happens once in 144 years.

saffron-clad monks on horses in a city street

Sadhus from Hindu monasteries have started arriving for the Maha Kumbh. They get priority for the holy dip on auspicious dates. (Photo courtesy PTI)

Contingents of sadhus (Hindu monks) have already started arriving in colorful processions on horses and camels. Sadhus, many dreadlocked and others wearing only ashes, pilgrims and devotees from all parts of India and abroad will take a sacred plunge in Triveni Sangam—the meeting point of the three rivers, Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati—to make Maha Kumbh 2025 a spectacle.

People taking bath in river with boats marooned

Devotees take a holy dip in the Kumbh area near Prayagraj ahead of the festivities (Photo courtesy PTI)

The origins of the Kumbh Mela are rooted in Hindu mythology. Samudra Manthan, or the churning of the ocean, led to the fight between gods and demons for the nectar of immortality that emerged. Lord Vishnu, carrying the pot of that nectar, spilled some drops at the four locations: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. These locations became revered as sacred sites eligible to hold the Kumbh Mela. Kumbh means a sacred pot or pitcher. Mela is a fair or festival. Maha means big or grand.

There are six key bathing dates, of which three—Makar Sankranti (January 14), Mauni Amavasya (January 29), and Basant Panchami (February 3)—are more auspicious and expected to attract 60-80 million people each. These three dates are designated as Shahi Snan (royal baths) for the monastics. Only after they take their dip do common folk get their turn.

two men with a pot in hands

Yogi Adityanath, chief minister of the Uttar Pradesh state hosting the Maha Kumbh, invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the megafest. The pot he presented is called Kumbh. (Photo courtesy ANI)

The Uttar Pradesh state government, whose chief minister, Yogi Adityanath, is a monk-turned-politician, has completed plans to host a confluence of humanity bigger than the population of America.

The most ancient Indian religious festival has employed the most modern technology. Artificial intelligence and RFID wristbands will control crowds and reunite families (many old Bollywood movies open with siblings getting separated at a Kumbh Mela). Drones provide aerial surveillance, and drone and laser shows are part of the attractions.

tents and glimmering lights on the horizon

A sprawling tent township, many times larger than the encampments at the Burning Man festival in Nevada, has come up to house the pilgrims and visitors near Prayagraj. (Photo courtesy PTI)

A sprawling tent city—many times bigger than the encampments at the annual Burning Man festival in the desert of Nevada—has emerged adjacent to Prayagraj. Tents are available for every pocket. At the high end, a tent for two with a butler, room heater, washroom, and geyser is available for Rs 1 lakh (approx. $1,160) a day.

The Maha Kumbh has a total area of 4,000 hectares (10,000 acres). 30 pontoon bridges have been built over the rivers to facilitate movement.

To accommodate the massive influx of visitors, 13,000 trains, of which 3,000 are special trains, will connect Prayagraj with major Indian metros. New direct flights from some cities have also been introduced for the Kumbh dates.

Believers in Sanatana Dharma, or Hinduism, will naturally form most of those visiting the Maha Kumbh. For them it is a sacred duty. However, the organizers have invited lawmakers, dignitaries from all states and even diplomats to visit. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath personally went to New Delhi to invite India’s President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

One visitor who made headlines in India recently is Apple heiress and philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of Steve Jobs. She plans to stay for a couple of weeks this month and take part in rituals, according to her guru Swami Kailashananda Giri, head of the Niranjani Akhara monastery.

Maha Kumbh 2025 is both a spiritual gathering and a grand cultural extravaganza that bridges India’s ancient traditions with contemporary artistic expressions. The specially constructed 10,000-seat Ganga Pandal will host a breathtaking lineup of performances of folk and classical arts. Billed artists include Hema Malini, a celebrated actress, dancer, and Member of Parliament; Grammy Award-winning composer Ricky Kej; and singers Shreya Ghoshal and Kailash Kher.

Lauren Powell receiving a medal from US President

Laurene Powell Jobs, who received the Medal of Freedom for her late husband, Steve Jobs, from President Joe Biden in 2022, is in India for the Maha Kumbh. (Official White House Photo)

Prayagraj Maha Kumbh 2025 is a showcase for India, which has leapfrogged many countries in some fields such as digitization, to introduce its glorious culture in its divine, grand, and modern form to the world.

Resource: Maha Kumbh 2025 Mela will be assisted by “Mahakumbh Mela 2025 app” which has important locations of bathing ghats, temples, and other major religious sites for the support of tourists and pilgrims. Website: kumbh.gov.in

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