Kumbh Mela

Kumbh Mela

Kumbh Mela, also called Kumbha Mela, in Hinduism, religious festival that is celebrated four times over the course of 12 years, the site of the observance rotating between four pilgrimage places on four sacred rivers—at Haridwar on the Ganges River, at Ujjain on the Shipra, at Nashik on the Godavari, and at Prayag (modern Prayagraj) at the confluence of the Ganges, the Jamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati. Each site’s celebration is based on a distinct set of astrological positions of the Sun, the Moon, and Jupiter, the holiest time occurring at the exact moment when these positions are fully occupied. The Kumbh Mela at Prayag, in particular, attracts millions of pilgrims. In addition, a Great Kumbh Mela festival is held every 144 years at Prayag, most recently in 2001. The Kumbh Mela lasts several weeks and is one of the largest festivals in the world, attracting more than 200 million people in 2019, including 50 million on the festival’s most auspicious day. The Kumbh Mela is a Hindu religious festival that is held four times every 12 years. It is the largest religious gathering in the world. The festival rotates between four pilgrimage places on four sacred rivers:

• Haridwar: On the Ganges River
• Ujjain: On the Shipra
• Nashik: On the Godavari
• Allahabad: On a sacred river

The festival is celebrated at these four places in rotation:

• Purna Kumbh Mela: Held every 12 years
• Ardha (half) Kumbh Mela: Held every sixth year at only two places, Haridwar and Allahabad
• Maha Kumbh: Held after every 144 years

The festival is significant on the spiritual path because it happens every 12 years, which is one solar cycle. The Kumbh Mela is an enduring icon of India's priceless spiritual heritage.