Mahakumbh: Where Hindu Belief, Culture, Tradition, Spirituality and Divinity Meet

300 million and counting! Yes, this is the number of devotees that have travelled to Payagraj from all over the world to take a holy dip in the most pious spot, the holy Triveni Sangam (the spot where Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati meet) till now. Why? Only to seek the blessings of Triveni Sangam (confluence of three rivers: Ganga, Yamuna and Sarawasti) at Prayagraj. Hindus consider rivers as their mother, and hence, during this time when it is believed that the rivers are filled with Amrit (nectar), they reach out to their mother and seek her blessings!

So, what is Kumbh and why is it called Kumbh?

Kumbh means pitcher; the origin of the word comes from the pitcher filled with nectar (Amrit) that emerged from the Ksheesagar during Samudra Manthan, according to Sanatan Hindu texts. 

It is believed that when devatas were carrying the Kumbh filled with Amrit to heaven, a few drops of nectar (Amrit) fell at a few places, and Prayagraj is one of them. The other three most revered are Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain, where the Kumbh Mela is organised. However, Prayagraj is believed to be the most revered among these four places, where Purna Kumbh and Maha Kumbh are organised. Purna Kumbha is celebrated in intervals every 12 years, and Mahakumbh is celebrated after cycles of 12 Purna Kumbh are complete, that is, after 144 years, which is being celebrated this year in Prayagraj.

Mahakumbh finds its mention in Vedas and Puranas; however, it is not known when it started. Hindus believe that during this period, the water of Ganga ji becomes Amrit, and hence, by taking a holy dip (performing Amrit Snan), they can earn the punya and attain moksha. In Hindu dharma, moksha is the prime goal. People wish to relieve themselves from the cycle of birth and death and attain moksha. 

Though among Hindus, planetary movements and positions play a crucial role in the commencement and celebration of any festival or ceremony, Kumbh Utsav is one festival that follows the particular positioning of certain planets for the most appropriate timing for the celebration.

So, every 12 years, when the Guru or Jupiter enters the Mesh or Aries rashi on New Moon Day in the Hindu month of Magh, Kumbh is organised. The Mahakumbh Mela 2025 is going to be organised in Prayagraj, believed to be the most sacred of all Tirthas.

Here is how Kumbh and Mahakumbh Mela locations are figured out through astrological calculations

The Kumbh festival occurs every 12 years and is influenced by various astrological positions:

When Jupiter enters Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries, the Kumbh festival is held at Haridwar.

“पद्मिनी नायके मेषे कुम्भ राशि गते गुरोः।
गंगा द्वारे भवेद योगः कुम्भ नामा तथोत्तमाः।।”

When Jupiter enters Aries and the Sun and Moon enter Capricorn on the lunar conjunction day (Amavasya), the Kumbh festival is held at Prayag.

“मेष राशि गते जीवे मकरे चन्द्र भास्करौ।
अमावस्या तदा योगः कुम्भख्यस्तीर्थ नायके।।”

When the Sun enters Capricorn and Jupiter enters Taurus, the Kumbh festival is held at Prayag.

“मकरे च दिवा नाथे ह्मजगें च बृहस्पतौ कुम्भ योगोभवेत्तत्र प्रयागे ह्यति दूलर्भ:”

When Jupiter enters Leo, the Kumbh festival is held at Nasik on the bank of the Godavari. When Jupiter enters Leo and the Sun enters Aries, the Kumbh festival is held at Ujjain.

“सिंह राशि गते सूर्ये सिंह राशौ बृहस्पतौ।
गोदावर्या भवेत कुम्भों जायते खलु मुक्तिदः।।”

“मेष राशि गते सूर्ये सिंह राशौ बृहस्पतौ।
उज्जियन्यां भवेत कुम्भः सदामुक्ति प्रदायकः।।”

The above astrological calculations prove Bharat has been way ahead of the world in astronomy, mathematics, science, art and in being a most civilised and advanced society.

The Kumbh Mela has been the largest human gathering attended by millions of people from the world over, regardless of caste, creed or region, since time immemorial. The Maha Kumbh 2025 has captured the attention of people, not just in India but beyond its borders. Devotees believe simply bathing in the sacred Triveni Sangam can free them from their past sins (karma), and thus one can attain moksha (liberation) from the cycle of birth and death.

Kumbh Mela is also the occasion when spiritual and dharmic Hindus engage in dharmic and adhyatmic discussions, devotional singing, mass feeding, and dharmic gatherings where shastras are discussed, debated and standardised. Kumbh Mela (especially the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh Mela) is the most sacred of all the Hindu pilgrimages.

The event is attended by millions of devotees, holy men and women, saints, monks, sadhus, and seekers. It is a gathering that eloquently reflects the profound heritage of Bharatiya civilisation, showcasing its inclusivity, oneness, equality, non-discrimination, and the freedom to seek wisdom according to one’s will and capacity, something you will not find anywhere else in the world.

Digitalmitra