The biggest congregation of renouncers and devotees on earth. An amalgamation of knowledge and spirituality. An ocean of faith. This is Maha Kumbh.
Maha Kumbh marks the completion of a 12-Kumbh Mela cycle. Thus, Maha Kumbh 2025 at Prayagraj between 13th Jan and 26th Feb, is supremely significant.
As per Hindu mythology, Samudra Manthan, the ocean churning happened between gods and demons to find the Amrit, the elixir of immortality. But as soon as the Amrit Kumbh, pot of nectar was found after churning, a fight ensued between gods and demons to grab the nectar. Battle went on for twelve days and twelve nights, considered as twelve years for humans. During that battle Lord Vishnu flew away to heaven with the Amrit Kalash. Few drops of Amrit spilled on earth. The Kumbh mela is organized at four spots where nectar drops fell. These sacred places are Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nasik and Ujjain.
Kumbh is held every 12 years. Astrological calculations for Kumbh are related to the star alignments of the Sun, Moon and Jupiter. Hereby, Sun denotes soul, Moon is mind and Jupiter represents Guru. Guru is given highest ranking in Hindu tradition. As Jupiter completes its zodiac cycle in 12 years, Kumbh is celebrated after twelve years at one of the four holy places. Date of Kumbh depends upon the specific planetary alignment.
Haridwar Kumbh, when Jupiter enters in zodiac sign Aquarius, Sun and Moon are in Aries.
Prayagraj Kumbh, when Jupiter enters zodiac sign Taurus, Sun and Moon are in Capricorn.
Nasik Kumbh, when Jupiter enters zodiac sign Leo, Sun and Moon are in Cancer.
Ujjain Kumbh, when Jupiter enters zodiac sign Leo, Sun and Moon are in Aries.
Glimpses of Maha Kumbh captured during my journey to Prayagraj from 13th Jan to 15 Jan 2025…
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