Kumbh Mela: History, Significance and Interesting Facts
A time to attain spiritual liberation, cleanse the soul, reflect within and connect with the divine; the time when people from all walks of life and every corner of India gather in huge numbers to bathe in the holy waters and seek guidance from ascetics; the time when yogis, monks, devotees and tourists across the globe unite in pursuit of salvation and liberation – Kumbh Mela.
Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is fast approaching and Prayagraj is gearing up to greet millions of pilgrims and provide them with optimum food, accommodation, hygiene, transport and emergency services. As this grand celebration approaches, let’s look at the history, significance and some interesting facts about Kumbh Mela.
History of Kumbh Mela
The Mythological Origins
The roots of Kumbh Mela lie in the legend of Samudra Manthan (churning of the cosmic ocean). It is said that during the battle between gods and demons for the nectar of immortality (amrit), 4 drops fell at Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. These sacred sites became the hosts of Kumbh Mela, a festival believed to purify the soul, help attain moksha (liberation) and offer salvation.
References in Ancient Texts
Some historical documents state that the tradition of Kumbh Mela dates back to 300 BC or even earlier. Many ancient texts have mentions of bathing festivals on riversides. In Rigveda, there is a mention of a bathing festival at Prayaga, which is perhaps the earliest reference to this pilgrimage.
In the Mahabharata, there are references to a sacred bathing pilgrimage at Prayag. The Tirtha-yatra Parva mentions that bathing in Prayag during Magha serves as a penance for past mistakes, and that those who bathe in Prayag during this time are freed from their sins.
Some scholars say that the earliest Kumbh Mela was the one which took place in the present-day Prayag in 644 CE. According to scholar James Mallinson, pilgrimages at Prayag have been taking place since the middle of the first millennium CE.
Historical Footprints of Kumbh Mela
It is said that saint and Hindu philosopher Adi Shankara started the Kumbh Mela with the purpose to start Hindu gatherings for philosophical discussions.
There are mentions of an annual gathering at Prayag in the 16th century Ramcharitmanas by Tulsidas. In Tabaqat-i-Akbari written around the same time, there is a mention of an annual bathing festival at Prayag Sangam.
Probably, till the 19th century, these pilgrimages were not called Kumbh Mela. There are records of Magha Mela, which used to be a mass gathering organized every 6 or 12 years, in which there was a ritual of taking a holy dip in rivers.
As per indologist Kama MacLean, due to the developments on social and political levels during the colonial era and as a reaction to Orientalism, the Magha Mela came to be called Kumbh Mela, and that was mostly after the Rebellion of 1857.
During the medieval times, Bhakti saints and devotees from various sects started taking part in the Kumbh Mela event. The Mauryas and Guptas during their rule, gave patronage to the Kumbh Mela, leading to even larger numbers getting drawn to this event.
Role of Akharas
Kumbh Melas in the earlier times were managed by 13 akharas. These akharas trace their roots to the Hindu Naga tradition. The 13 akharas are Mahanirvani, Atal, Niranjani, Anand, Juna and Agni (the 7 Shaiva akharas), Nirvani, Nirmohi and Digambar (3 Vaishnava akharas) and Bara panchayati Udasins, Chota Panchayati Udasins and Nirmal (3 Sikh akharas).
Later, there were disputes between the akharas over who would be first to take the holy bath. The East India Company officials intervened in the conflicts and established a bathing order. Since the time India gained independence, the state governments started laying out rules about the bathing sequence for the akharas. Before 1838, the British provided no infrastructure or services to the attendees of the Kumbh Mela. This scenario changed after 1857. The British, with the help of local police, started giving good infrastructure, sanitation and medical help to the pilgrims.
The Kumbh Mela served as a means to unite people across various social strata, and paved a way for the Hindutva movement. Thus, this event boosted the efforts of Indians to gain independence from the British.
Significance of Kumbh Mela
Kumbh means pitcher and Mela means gathering. As per mythology, the pitcher refers to the one holding the nectar of immortality (amrit). The term Kumbh is also linked with the astrological sign aquarius. Thus, Kumbh Mela means gathering around the nectar of immortality.
One of the primary rituals of the Kumbh Mela is the bathing or taking a holy dip in the rivers. Devotees wait for the akharas to bathe first. The bathing may be elaborate wherein it includes mundan (shaving of the head), prayers to honor one’s ancestors, or may even include a yagya.
It is believed that taking a holy dip in the river during the Kumbh Mela is a way for penance and self-purification. It is called Shahi Snaan.
The bathing ritual is preceded by processions with people carrying banners, flags, elephants, horses and musicians. In these processions, monks from different Indian monastic institutions join carrying their emblem and deity. The traditional procession is known as Peshwai.
At this event, devotees can access sadhus, take darshan and seek guidance from them. Seekers are allowed to interact with the monks, take instruction from them and earn their grace. This is another important aspect of Kumbh Melas.
Kumbh Mela also features activities like kirtana, pravachana (speeches) and religious gatherings. Music and dance performances, laser shows and cultural displays are also a part of the Kumbh Mela celebrations.
Interesting Facts about Kumbh Mela
Kumbh Mela is known as the world’s largest congregation of religious pilgrims.
The Kumbh Mela is of 3 distinct types, namely, Purna Kumbh, Ardha Kumbh and Maha Kumbh. The Purna Kumbha Mela takes place every 12 years. The Ardha Kumbh Mela takes place between two Purna Kumbh Melas, which is every 6 years. The sites of this type of Kumbh Mela are Prayagraj and Haridwar. The Maha Kumbh occurs after 12 Purna Kumbh Melas, which is after every 144 years.
There are three dates around which the Kumbh Melas are held, and each gathering lasts between one and three months around that time.
This grand event is held every 12 years to mark one revolution of Jupiter. It is organized at 4 pilgrimage sites located on riversides. The sites include Prayagraj (where the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati meet), Haridwar (on the banks of river Ganga), Nashik (on the Godavari riverside) and Ujjain (on the banks of Shipra).
The largest gathering is at Prayagraj (Prayag Kumbh Mela). The second-largest gathering is at Haridwar.
Kumbh mela features camps and processions of sadhus which were organized into 13 akhadas by the 18th century.
In the modern times, Kumbh Mela attracts millions of people across the globe.
Many devotees observe partial or total fasting during the span of the event. On some days, mahaprasada prepared by volunteers is served as part of the feast. These celebratory feasts may be sponsored by individuals or organizations as annadanam for monks or the poor.
It is considered as one of the largest peaceful gatherings of people, and in 2017, UNESCO included Kumbh Mela in the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Around 200 million Hindus were part of the 2019 Kumbh Mela. The most crowded day of the celebration saw a footfall of 50 million devotees.
Kumbh Mela held on February 4, 2019, saw the largest peaceful public gatherings of humans ever. Over the years, the management of Kumbh Mela kept improving to include the setting up of a temporary city, equipped with toilets, good accommodation for the pilgrims, transport facilities for devotees to get to the venue, and even an app for the visitors.
Today’s Kumbh Mela is a grand celebration of spirituality and cultural richness, bringing millions together in harmony. This event strengthens individual and collective consciousness while fostering global unity and deepening social connections.
Thus, Kumbh Mela is one-of-a-kind event, unique in several ways. It is a wonder how millions gather peacefully, how the crowds are so efficiently managed, and how people from all walks of life unite to seek the divine grace. India is indeed a spiritual hub that hosts several events across the year where devotees, seekers and tourists can experience a pure, spiritual vibe and witness the country’s rich culture. Kumbh Mela is one of them.