Maha Kumbh Prayagraj 14th January – 26th February 2025

Maha Kumbh Prayagraj 14th January – 26th February 2025

India’s greatest pilgrimage and the largest human spectacle in the world is the “Maha Kumbh Mela” . Among these gathering ,the event at Prayagraj is considered holiest of all at theconfluence of the rivers Ganga and Yamuna, where they join with the mythical Saraswati river .Millions of sadhus and ascetics, saints and pilgrims will be gathering on specific auspicious dates from the middle of January to end February 2025 for their ritual cleansing bath.

The Kumbh Mela unfolds in a cyclical rhythm of twelve years, rotating among the four sacred riverbanks of Haridwar, Ujjain, Nasik and Prayagraj, The precise dates depend upon the astrological alignment of the Sun, Moon and Jupiter. During each celebration at the four locations, it is said that the rivers transform into that primordial nectar at that climactic moment , giving pilgrims an oppertunity to bathe in the essence of purity, auspiciousness, and immortality.

The Myth:- Kumbh means ‘vessel’ and ‘mela’ means a festival. At the root of the Kumbh Mela legend is the search for the nectar of immortality that would end the war between the gods and the demons. The gods sought the help of the creator Brahma from the assault of the demons, and he sent them to Lord Vishnu who resides on the ocean, reposing on the great serpent Ananta. Vishnu offered Ananta to be used as the rope to churn the milky ocean to bring up a pot”kumbh” containing the elexir of immortality. Whoever drank it would win the war. However, he had one condition. The gods and the demons both should churn the ocean together. First appeared a vessel of poison that Lord Shiva drank and turned blue. When the pot full of nectar appeared, a fierce battle that ensued over the possession of the pot,during which drops of the nectar fell on the four earthly sites which since then are believed to have acquired these mystical powers.

All religions believe that the destiny of mankind is determined by the celestial war that goes on between good and evil, hence all festivals, in essence, are hence a celebration of the victory of good.

The Significance of Bathing Ritual

The central ritual at the Kumbh is the bathing.

Every twelve years a nexus of cosmic energy decends at Prayagraj.Astrologically, whenever the planet Jupiter enters the astrological sign of Taurus, when the Sun and the Moon are in Capricorn simultaneously, a powerful supercharge of positive charge happens at Prayag.The whole area is energised — the water, the air and the entire atmosphere becomes charged with that force. Taking a bath in the Ganga, which is imbued with that power, promotes spiritual growth, health, emotional strength and puts you on the path to moksha.

As the spiritual essence of the mela is manifested in the immersion of oneself in the holy waters, it is an ablution of the self that is being performed and the nectar—the realisation of divinity—is shared by all. The overflowing pitcher is a repository of knowledge which liberates our souls when we are still alive. Through the Kumbh, the nectar of this knowledge is churned.

BATHING DATES

These bathings take place every day, however, the most cherished days of bathing are known as Shahi Snan, or‘Royal Baths’. On these days, the pilgrims will wait for the grand ceremonial dip of the mahants, the leaders of the thirteen akharas (Hindu monasteries). The occasions are marked by an impressive, vibrant procession where the musical sounds of horns and trumpets accompany elephants and horses marching beneath tremendous banners and flags, followed by the mahants, who are often naked, covered in ashes and draped in magnificent marigolds. Many of the mahants will also carry symbolic items associated with their sects such as tridents, staffs and flags.

Spiritually Significant Bathing Dates

!3th January: Paush Poornima Snan

!14th January: Makar Sakranti Sanan

!29th January: Mauni Amavasya Sanan*Bathing on this day gives the pilgrim unsurpassed spiritual merit as it is considered the most auspicious as on this day Lord Brahma created the Universe.

!3rd February: Maghi Purnima *Basant Panchami

!26th February: Maha Shivratri

Other Activities:- Visiting Akharas: What is an Akhara?As per the Vedic concept of Life, the usual life span of a person was divided into four distinct periods or ‘ashrams’, Brahmacharya or study period, Grihastha or normal life period, Vanprastha or withdrawal period and Sanyasa or renunciation period. As this system fell into disuse and the concept of Mathas gained prominence and became important centers to propagate the ethical behavior and to protect the Vedic concept of life. The Sanyasis of the various Mathas were divided into various categories governing the various aspects of Vedic life. The Naga Akhara Movement was founded in the 8th century by Adi Shankaracharya when he established a group of militant initiated followers whose task was to protect pilgrims and sadhus from robbers and other enemies, later called the Nagas. For them the Maha Kumbh Mela is of great significance, because they are the first ones to take the holy dip in the Ganga on the most auspicious day during the shahi snan, the “Royal bath”, which marks the climax of the festival as they are the privileged people who are said to cleanse the river Goddess. These processions are meticulously organized formations where thousands of Naga Sadhus having matted hair, ash smeared body, naked and totally unmindful and unconcerned of the public gaze, stride towards the Ganges in a zeal of religious fervour. The bathing sequence of the various Akharas is absolutely sacrosanct and no alteration is possible as the exact time for start, bathing and return are prescribed under the provisions of section 39 of the Indian Police Act. The Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad, the apex body of all the Sadhus, Mahants and Mandleshwars of different Akharas & Sampradyas, decides the dates of the Shahi snans for the Kumbhand conveys the same to the Kumbh Mela administration.

Interaction with Sadhus and other spiritual masters

During this time sadhus &other spiritual seekers emerge and make themselves available to the pilgrims seeking out spiritual guidance and participate in philosophical discussions and discourses.

Boat rides along the sacred river

Guided walks to the ancient temples and religious sites located closeby.