The Kumbh Mela is the single largest gathering of human beings at one place at any one time in the world. “Mela” refers to ‘a gathering’ or ‘a fair’ and “Kumbh,” in Sanskrit, literally means a pitcher. According to mythology, when the "Samudra Manthan" (the churning of the oceans) took place, Haridwar, along with Ujjain, Nasik and Prayagraj, was one of four sites where drops of Amrit, the elixir of immortality, fell from the sacred Kumbh (pot) as the gods and demons fought for possession.

Hence, the Mela is celebrated at these four places. The Ardh (Half) Kumbh Mela is celebrated every six years at Prayagraj and Haridwar and the Purna (Full) Kumbh Mela every twelve years. The Maha (Great) Kumbh Mela is celebrated after twelve Purna Kumbh Melas or 144 months, at Prayagraj.

According to astrologers, the spiritual positioning of the planets also plays a significant role. The Kumbh fair at Haridwar takes place when Jupiter enters Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries. This planetary position is said to medicate the waters of the Ganga and turn it into nectar on these days, thereby attracting millions to purify their inner selves through holy bathing rituals. The next Purna Kumbh Mela will be held at Prayagraj from the middle of January 2025 up to the beginning of March 2025. It will witness the coming together of millions of pilgrims, sadhus and saints to take a ritual cleansing bath in the holy River Ganges on auspicious days during this period.

Prayagraj

In Prayagraj, it stands on the site of ancient Prayag, a holy city that was comparable in fame to Varanasi and Haridwar. Each year, a festival takes place at the rivers’ confluence, and every 12th year, a much larger festival, the Maha Kumbh Mela, is attended by millions of devotees.