WHAT
WHY
WHERE
WHEN
The Maha Kumbh Mela is a significant Hindu pilgrimage and festival, renowned as one of the largest peaceful gatherings in the world. Held every 12 years at one of four sacred locations in India—Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain—the festival's timing and location are determined by specific astrological alignments. The most recent Maha Kumbh Mela commenced on January 14, 2025, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, and is scheduled to conclude on February 26, 2025. A central ritual of the Maha Kumbh Mela is the Shahi Snan (royal bath), where millions of devotees immerse themselves at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, known as the Triveni Sangam. This act is believed to purify individuals of their sins and facilitate liberation from the cycle of rebirth.