Maha Kumbh Mela: World's Largest Gathering
The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj is a historic event, taking place after 144 years, attracting millions of people to bathe in the holy rivers for spiritual and health benefits.
The Maha Kumbh Mela is taking place in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, this year, and it is extra special because it’s happening after 144 years! The event started on 13th January 2025 and will end on 26th February 2025.
Prayagraj, an ancient city, is where three major rivers—Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati—meet, forming the sacred Triveni Sangam. People believe that bathing in these holy rivers helps them attain liberation, which is why millions gather here.
On the first day of the Kumbh Mela, over 1 crore people took the holy dip, and it is expected that around 40 to 45 crore people will attend this year’s Maha Kumbh, making it the largest public gathering in the world. Famous personalities like Laurene Powell Jobs, wife of Steve Jobs, also attended.
To manage the massive crowd, the Uttar Pradesh government has set up a temporary city, which is even being given the status of the 76th district of Uttar Pradesh during the event. The government has built 1.5 lakh tents, 9 permanent ghats (river banks), 30 bridges, and 67,000 street lights. Over 50,000 police officers have been deployed for safety, and Indian Railways will run 3,000 special trains.
The Kumbh Mela is not just a religious gathering but also a global cultural event. It draws attention from universities like Harvard and IIT, who come to study the event. The Indian government has allocated over ?12,000 crore for the event, and it is expected to bring ?2 lakh crore in revenue.
But what makes the Maha Kumbh so special? It’s based on both ancient stories and science.
The Mythological Story: According to an ancient story, the gods and demons fought over a pot of "Amrit" (immortal nectar). During this battle, drops of Amrit fell at four places—Nashik, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Prayagraj—which are now the sites for Kumbh Mela. The Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years in these locations, with the Maha Kumbh taking place once every 144 years, when the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter align perfectly.
The Science Behind It: The Maha Kumbh Mela is linked to the revolution of the planet Jupiter around the Sun. It takes Jupiter about 12 years to complete one orbit, and during certain planetary positions, the water in these rivers is believed to have special health benefits, which is why people eagerly take a dip during the event.
The Mahakumbh in 2025 is particularly significant because it’s happening after 144 years, and it attracts millions from all over the world, making it a true symbol of India’s ancient culture.
Are you planning to visit the Maha Kumbh this year? Let us know in the comments!
