Mahakumbh 2025

Taking place once in 12 years, the Maha Kumbh Mela is one of the biggest festivals in Hinduism. Millions of devotees throng the event where history, spirituality and cultural heritage come together. Maha Kumbh is held cyclically at four sacred riverbanks in India — Prayagraj (Allahabad) at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati; Haridwar along the Ganges; Nashik on the Godavari; and Ujjain on the Shipra.

During the Maha Kumbh, devotees engage in sacred rituals such as Kalpvas (spiritual practices), Ganga Snan (holy dip in the Ganges), and chanting of prayers. These rituals are believed to cleanse past sins, ensuring a prosperous future and spiritual peace.

The Maha Kumbh’s significance is closely tied to the mythological story of Samudra Manthan (the churning of the ocean). The Rigveda mentions a divine event called the 'Sagar Manthan', or churning of the cosmic ocean, which is considered the genesis of the Maha Kumbh Mela.

According to legends, the gods and demons joined hands to churn the ocean for amrit, the nectar for immortality, on the advice of Lord Vishnu. During the churning, a Kumbh (pot) of nectar emerged, sparking a fierce battle between gods and demons to claim it. Lord Vishnu entrusted his mount, Garuda, to carry the pot to protect the nectar. As Garuda flew across the heavens, drops of nectar fell at four locations: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. These places became sacred sites where the Kumbh Mela is held. The battle for the nectar between gods and demons lasted 12 divine days, equivalent to 12 human years. Hence, the Kumbh Mela is organized every 12 years at these four sacred locations.