The Maha Kumbha Mela, one of the world’s largest gatherings, is a grand, majestic, and superb celebration that attracts about 45 crores, that is, 450 million from across the globe. This year's Maha Kumbh is extraordinary, marking the completion of 12 Kumbh cycles and a rare planetary alignment of the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter. This event occurs only once every 144 years.  This alignment is supposed to exemplify the spiritual experience.

Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, starting January 13 in Prayagraj, is marked by a unique configuration of planetary stars occurring every 144 years, enhancing its spiritual importance. Millions of devotees are drawn to the Triveni Sangam for holy bathing during this auspicious period, seeking purification and liberation in alignment with ancient Hindu traditions. The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 will be the most significant spiritual gathering in the world, commencing on January 13 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. This sacred congregation, deeply rooted in Hindu tradition, has drawn millions of devotees, saints, and seekers from across the globe to the Triveni Sangam —the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers.

Maha Kumbh is a rare religious, cultural, and patriotic congregation occurring every twelve years. The Maha Kumbh, which is going on in Prayagraj in 2025 January-February has happened after a very long gap of 144 years as it is a spiritually and religiously more significant and holy dip during this mela purifies, cleans one's soul and is believed to give salvation to devotees which in religious terminology is called Moksha.

The origins of the Kumbh Mela (Samudra Mantana)

Kumbh means ‘pitcher’ in Sanskrit, and the Kumbh Mela’s story begins with a well-known legend. According to Hindu mythology, the Devas (gods) and Asuras (demons) churned the ocean (Samudra Manthan) to obtain amrita, the nectar of immortality. When Dhanvantari, the divine physician, appeared with the pitcher of nectar, Indra’s son Jayant fled to prevent the Asuras from taking it. 

During Jayant’s journey, drops of amrita fell at four locations — Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nashik-Trimbakeshwar, and Ujjain. These places became the sites of the Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years based on the alignment of the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter. 

The festival is celebrated at these locations according to astrological calculations:

Haridwar: When Jupiter is in Aquarius (Kumbh Rashi), the Sun and Moon align in Aries and Sagittarius. 

Prayagraj: When Jupiter is in Taurus, the Sun and Moon are in Capricorn (Makar rashi). 

Nashik: When Jupiter is in Leo (Simha rashi), and the Sun and Moon align in Cancer.

Ujjain: When similar alignments occur near the Kshipra River.

Prayagraj also hosts the Ardh Kumbh (half Kumbh) every six years, while the Purna Kumbh is held every 12 years.

It began on January 13, 2025, and will continue until February 26, 2025. This event is expected to attract around 450 million (45 crores) visitors, making it the world's largest religious gathering. The festival's origins are rooted in Hindu mythology, symbolizing the victory of gods over demons.

Some dates hold special significance to taking a bath in Triveni. On these special dates, saints, their disciples, and members of various Akharas (religious orders) go in a procession and take Shahi Snan, also referred to as 'Rajyogi Snan,' marking the commencement of the Maha Kumbh Mela starting on January 13. Rajyogi Snan stands as the central highlight of the Kumbh Mela and represents the pinnacle of the celebration.

Paush Purnima: 13 January 2025

Makar Sankranti: 14 January 2025

Mauni Amavasya: 29 January 2025

Basant Panchami: 03 February 2025

Maghi Purnima: 12 February 2025

Maha Shivaratri: 26 February 2025

Kumbh Mela /Maha Kumbh Mela is a congregation of faith and devotion because of the following –

1)      The Maha Kumbh or Kumbh Mela is a pilgrimage to sacred rivers, where devotees bathe to cleanse their sins and impurities and achieve spiritual rewards and, in fact, enlightenment and salvation.

2)      The festival is centered around the idea of the “pot of amrita” [nectar of immortality], which came out when gods and demons churned the cosmic ocean of creation.

3)      The Kumbh Mela /Maha Kumbh Mela is a time for spiritual seekers to meet with sadhus, saints, seers, and religious gurus and learn from their wisdom.

Akharas are a big attraction.

The main attraction is the arrival of Naga Sadhus. We do not know where they come from and where they go back. They live in various parts of the Himalayas in different caves. It is fascinating to see them. They come first and take a holy bath. Taking holy baths first makes the waters holy for everyone to experience. Naga Sadhus belongs to Akhadas. They live in the Himalayas and worship Lord Shiva.

It can take over 10 years to become a Naga Sadhu. Becoming a Naga Sadhu is not a casual decision but rather an arduous, challenging journey that makes people give away years and years of their lives. Most people say and believe that becoming a Naga Sadhu can quickly take over 10 years, and these 10 years are spent in celibacy, meditation, and austerity.

Naga Sadhus, who remain without clothes, are capable of enduring even subzero temperatures without showing any discomfort, which contradicts medical science. According to medical studies, humans can only survive for about 2.5 hours at minus 20 degrees Celsius without proper clothing, and with two layers of clothing, they can survive for 15 hours. However, Naga Sadhus defies this scientific explanation. The secret behind their ability to withstand extreme cold lies in the power of their spiritual practices, known as Sadhana. They perform three types of Sadhana that help them endure all seasons.

Agni Sadhana: Naga Sadhus practice meditation, accumulating the fire element within their body. This internal heat helps to keep their bodies warm in harsh conditions.
Nadi Shodhan: Through Nadi Shodhan Pranayam, Nagas balance the airflow within their body, ensuring that the body temperature remains regulated and warm.
The third thing is that Naga Sadhus generate energy in their body by chanting mantras, which produce heat in the body, allowing them to withstand cold temperatures.
Apart from this, the ash that Naga Sadhus cover their bodies is an insulating layer. The ash contains calcium, phosphorus, and potassium minerals, which help regulate and control body temperature, keeping them protected from the cold.
Adi Sankara initiated the roots of Akhada.

One of Shankaracharya's significant contributions was the establishment of four major Peethas (centers of spiritual learning) across the country to unify the practice and propagation of Sanatan Dharma. These were the Govardhan Peeth, Sharada Peeth, Dwarka Peeth, and Jyotirmath Peeth.

He also recognized the need to protect Hindu institutions from exploitation and attack and thus founded Akhadas—armed branches of different religious sects. These Akhadas were formed to safeguard temples, monasteries, and devotees from external threats and had armed disciples proficient in martial arts.

Shankaracharya recognized that mere spiritual practice was not enough during those times; physical strength and combat skills were equally essential. Consequently, he encouraged young ascetics to build physical strength and become proficient in weaponry. This led to the establishment of Akhadas, which trained in physical disciplines like wrestling and prepared ascetics for armed defense when necessary. Over time, many Akhadas came into existence across India.

Shankaracharya's wisdom extended to advising the Akhadas on using force only when necessary to protect temples, monasteries, and the devotees. During periods of foreign invasions, the Akhadas played a crucial role in defending sacred sites. Historical accounts even describe instances when over 40,000 Naga warriors helped local kings repel invaders like Ahmad Shah Abdali, who had attacked Mathura-Vrindavan and Gokul.

After India’s independence, these Akhadas gradually moved away from their military roots, with their leaders focusing on instilling discipline, spirituality, and study of Sanatan Dharma among their followers. Today, there are 13 prominent Akhadas, each led by a Mahant (chief priest). These Akhadas continue to play a vital role in upholding India’s cultural and spiritual traditions.

Foreigners attend the Maha Kumbha Mela.

About 4 million foreigners are expected to attend the Maha Kumbha Mela. Reports indicate that more than 1.5 lakh people come from Russia. Steve Jobs’s wife, Lauren Jobs, is attending the Maha Kumbha Mela. She became a Hindu, and her name is Kamala. She is fulfilling Steve Jobs' unfulfilled desire. He wanted to participate in but could not.

One of the Foreign Sadhu says,” I was elated to take a dip, and it felt like I tasted the nectar of immortality. I was overjoyed to receive the mercy and blessings of the saints. “

"It's very powerful. There are a lot of things, a lot of emotions, a lot of colours." - Anna, Italian Traveler.

Fermin Ezcurdia expressed great enthusiasm for being in India. Ezcurdia, who has come from Spain, said, "I am very excited about India. It is a wonderful country. 12 years ago, I was at the previous Kumbh Mela for four days. It was insufficient for me; very little. Now I have come for 30 days".

Javier de Uscaleria, who also came from Spain, told ANI that he has visited India six times, with his first visit in 1984 and attending the Kumbh Mela twice. "It was 12 years ago and now. It seems surprising and draws much attention".

A traveler from Italy expressed wonder over the scale of spirituality at the Maha Kumbh Mela. "This spirituality, this sense that exists here, is not elsewhere in the world."

"My experience has been good; I like it; it's exciting," he said.

How has India prepared for 2025?

Indian authorities have implemented various measures to manage this year’s event in Prayagraj, using modern solutions and technology to tackle an age-old safety challenge.

A temporary tent city has been erected on the riverbanks in Prayagraj, with 160,000 tents, 150,000 toilets, and temporary hospitals.

Infrastructure upgrades include 98 “special trains” introduced to ensure smooth transport and centralized “war rooms” to monitor the operations.

On the ground, about 40,000 police officers have been deployed to maintain security.

The 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj is the most technologically advanced edition yet. EPA/Rajat Gupta

Authorities have also installed 2,700 CCTV cameras across the grounds, all integrated into an AI-powered surveillance system.

This setup enables real-time monitoring of crowds, with AI used to analyze live feeds from thousands of fixed and drone cameras positioned across key festival zones, including entry points, bathing areas, and congregation spaces.

Algorithms measure the number of people in specific areas and provide information on crowd density. If density thresholds are exceeded, authorities are alerted and can respond on the ground, mitigating the risk of overcrowding and potential crushes.

For the first time, underwater drones have also been used to monitor the riverbeds of the Ganges and Yamuna.