Kumbh Mela
- Also called:
- Kumbha Mela
News •
Kumbh Mela, Hindu religious festival and the world’s largest public gathering. The 2019 event at Prayagraj attracted more than 200 million people, including 50 million on the festival’s most auspicious day. The Kumbh Mela, which translates to “Festival of the Sacred Pitcher” (kumbh meaning “pitcher” and mela meaning “festival”), is one of the most sacred pilgrimages for Hindus and is recognized by UNESCO on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The main festival is celebrated among four sacred sites in India, each located along the banks of a holy river, in a 12-year cycle. These sites are: Haridwar on the Ganges River in Uttarakhand, Ujjain on the Shipra in Madhya Pradesh, Nashik on the Godavari in Maharashtra, and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh where the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers converge. Each site’s celebration is based on a distinct set of astronomical positions of the Sun, the Moon, and Jupiter, the holiest time occurring at the exact moment when these positions are fully occupied.
Types of Kumbh Melas
The Kumbh Melas, each lasting several weeks, are observed at various times and locations according to the Hindu tradition. These gatherings hold great spiritual significance and attract millions of devotees from across the world. The frequency of the melas varies, some occurring annually and the Maha Kumbh Mela (“Great Kumbh Festival”) taking place every 144 years in Prayagraj.
| mela | occurrence | location |
|---|---|---|
| Magh Mela | once a year | Prayagraj |
| Kumbh Mela | once every 3 years | Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nashik, and Ujjain |
| Ardh Kumbh Mela | once every 6 years | Haridwar and Prayagraj |
| Purna Kumbh Mela | once every 12 years | Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nashik, and Ujjain |
| Maha Kumbh Mela | once every 144 years | Prayagraj |
History
Tradition ascribes the Kumbh Mela’s origin to the 8th-century philosopher Shankara, who instituted regular gatherings of learned ascetics for discussion and debate. The founding myth of the Kumbh Mela—attributed to the Puranas (collections of myth and legend)—recounts how the gods and demons fought over the pot (kumbha) of amrit, the elixir of immortality produced by their joint churning of the milky ocean. This churning of the ocean is widely known as the Samudra Manthana or Sagara Manthana. To prevent the demons from winning the elixir, enchantress Mohini, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, seized the pot and carried it to heaven. As she did so, drops of the elixir fell on the Kumbh Mela’s four earthly sites (Haridwar, Nashik, Prayagraj, and Ujjain). At the climactic moment of each mela, it is believed that the rivers at those holy sites transform into vessels of that primordial nectar of immortality that conveys benefits to pilgrims.
Another mention of the Kumbh Mela can be found in the accounts of renowned Chinese traveler Xuanzang, who documented the magnificence of the Kumbh Mela during his visit to India during 629–645 ce. His writings highlight King Harsha’s generous acts at the sacred confluence of rivers, where the king bestowed gifts and donations upon scholars and ascetics. King Harsha was also noted for organizing a grand quinquennial gathering at the holy confluence in Prayag (modern Prayagraj), during which he donated all his possessions.
The term kumbh comes from the Sanskrit word kumbha, or “pitcher,” but it is also the Sanskrit name for Aquarius, the sign of the zodiac in which Jupiter resides during the Haridwar mela.
Attendees
Attendees at the Kumbh Mela come from all sections of Hindu religious life, including sadhus (holy men), some of whom remain naked year-round or practice the most severe physical discipline; hermits, who leave their isolation only for these pilgrimages; and even silk-clad teachers using the latest technology. The religious organizations represented are as varied as social welfare societies and political lobbyists. Vast crowds of disciples, friends, and spectators join the individual ascetics and organizations. The holiest spot at the Kumbh Mela is claimed by the militant ascetic orders known as naga sadhus, whose members formerly made their livings as mercenary soldiers and traders. Although the Indian government now enforces an established bathing order, history records bloody disputes between groups vying for precedence.
Rituals and ceremonies
The Kumbh Mela is a confluence of diverse rituals and ceremonies, each contributing to the festival’s profound spiritual importance. These rituals offer pathways to purification, enlightenment, and communal harmony to the devotees.
Peshwai procession
The commencement of the Kumbh Mela is marked by the Peshwai procession, a ceremonial entry of the akharas (traditional Hindu monastic organizations that blend spiritual and martial disciplines) into the festival grounds. Riding on elephants, horses, and chariots, adorned with traditional regalia, the saints and seers proceed through the streets, blessing onlookers. Rooted in ancient traditions, akharas preserve religious practices, philosophies, and physical training.
Akhara
The term akhara is derived from the Hindi word for a wrestling arena and reflects the focus on both spiritual growth and physical discipline. Historically, akharas were centers of learning and defense, safeguarding Hinduism during societal changes and invasions. They protected sacred sites and provided structure for ascetics renouncing worldly life.
| akhara | beliefs and practices | role in Kumbh Mela |
|---|---|---|
| Niranjani | meditation, yoga, and sacred texts; focuses on purity and detachment | hosts spiritual discourses and rituals |
| Vaishnava | bhakti, yoga, mantras, and scriptures such as the Bhagavadgita; emphasizes devotion and service | offers kirtans (devotional singing), spiritual teachings, and rituals |
| Mahanirvani | asceticism, yoga, celibacy, and devotion to Shiva for spiritual liberation | rituals and processions that highlight Shaiva heritage |
| Juna | rigorous training, meditation, austerity, and scripture study for enlightenment | grand processions with sadhus, elephants, and music, marking the spiritual commencement of the festival |
| Kinnar | social justice, equality, and spiritual inclusion of transgender individuals | symbolizes diversity, challenges norms, and promotes acceptance, drawing widespread attention |
Arti
The evening arti is a devotional ritual that involves the offering of light to the deities by waving lit oil lamps, accompanied by hymns and chants. Performed on the riverbanks during the melas, the arti creates a spiritually charged atmosphere and exhibits the devotees’ veneration of the sacred rivers.
Snan (bath)
Devotees from all over the world travel to the sites of the mela to take a bath (snan, or snanam) in the holy rivers. The act of bathing is believed to cleanse the soul of all the impurities and sins and help attain moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death). At the heart of the Kumbh Mela lies the Shahi Snan (Royal Bath), considered the pinnacle of the festival’s rituals. During this ceremony, the akharas lead grand processions to the riverbanks. The naga sadhus, recognizable by their ash-covered bodies and renunciation of clothing, stand out strikingly, especially given their typically reclusive lifestyle. Their presence creates a remarkable spectacle amid the throngs of Hindu devotees. Their dip sets a sanctified precedent for millions of pilgrims who follow.
Yajnas (fire ceremonies)
Yajnas are sacred fire rituals conducted by priests and spiritual leaders. Offerings such as ghee, grains, and herbs are poured into the consecrated fire amidst the chanting of mantras from the sacred Vedic texts. These ceremonies aim to purify the environment, seek divine favor, and to maintain the natural order of nature.
Deep daan
As dusk descends on the most auspicious day of the festival, the ritual of deep daan (lamp offering) illuminates the riverbanks. Devotees light earthen lamps and set them afloat on the waters; this symbolizes the dispelling of darkness and ignorance while inviting divine blessings and inner enlightenment.
Stampedes
Despite being illustrative of India’s rich cultural and religious heritage, the Kumbh Mela has been marred by tragedy, notably stampedes and occasional violence, leading to substantial loss of life and raising concerns about crowd management and safety protocols.
One of the earliest and most catastrophic stampedes occurred during the 1954 Kumbh Mela in Allahabad (now Prayagraj), resulting in an estimated 1,000 deaths. Considerable security measures were put into effect; even so, subsequent Kumbh Melas have witnessed similar tragedies. In 2003, during the Nashik Kumbh Mela, a stampede led to the deaths of at least 39 pilgrims and injured more than 100 people. The incident was reportedly caused by a scramble among devotees to collect coins thrown by sadhus. A stampede at the 2010 Haridwar Kumbh Mela claimed seven lives (five women, one man, and an infant) and injured 17 people. Two individuals drowned in a separate stampede at the mela. A particularly tragic event unfolded on February 10, 2013, during the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad (now Prayagraj): a stampede at the railway station resulted in 36 fatalities and numerous injuries.
Volunteer camps
The phenomenon of people becoming lost from their loved ones has been reflected in some Bollywood films based on the lost-and-found formula. The “Kumbh Mele mein bichde huye” (“lost at the Kumbh Mela”) trope was used in the films Adhikar (1954; “Right”) and Do Anjaane (1976; “Two Strangers”).
The festival draws millions of pilgrims, and inevitably a large number of people become lost. The melas now run lost-and-found camps to aid those who have become separated from their companions. Operated by volunteers, these camps serve as a sanctuary for those who find themselves disoriented, offering not just logistical help but also emotional support. The scenes at these camps are a poignant mix of anxiety and hope. Some centers use modern methods such as computerized records and face recognition technology to manage the influx of missing persons. Some camps dedicated to women and children ensure the safety of the youngest and most vulnerable attendees.