The Mahakumbha, a celebration of spirituality, religion, equality and all things holy, began today at ProyagrazhIndia. The great Mahakumbh, which welcomes people of all creeds, classes, countries and diversities, has only one motto – Uniting the World in Spirituality.
The Mahakumbh Mela, held once in 12 years, takes place alternately at four holy places – Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. And the location of the Kumbh Mela is determined according to specific planetary alignments.
The story behind the Kumbh
One of the most famous and famous origins of kumbhas is believed to be related to the mantana Samudra era, the churning of the ocean that gave birth to the Amrita pots (kumbhas).
It is said that when the pot of Amrit was taken away from the asuras, the drops spilled at 4 different places across India and these 4 places became epicenters of holiness and positivity. And eventually they became places where the Kumbh Mela was held to help ordinary living beings experience the divine like no other place.
It is also believed that over time, according to the desire of the people, the kumbha was of different types, occurring annually, once in 6 years, once in 12 years and also once in 144 years.
Types of Kumbha
One of the most famous views of the Kumbha is the Maghmela, which is held every year, as well as an annual fair that attracts people from all over India. There is daily, simple ritual bathing, Ganga snan, fairs and attractions that are classic Melas and the like.
Then comes the Ardh Kumbh, once every 6 years, and is slightly more famous than the Magh Melas. As Ardh Kumbh happens only once in 6 years, people wait for the dates and Ardh Kumbh 2019 was a grand spectacle to say the least.
This is followed by Purna Kumbha which was celebrated every 12 years and was last celebrated in 2013. This Purna Kumbha was also called Mahakumbha and witnessed massive crowds across India and in the host city of Prayagraj.
And the biggest of all is the Mahakumbha, which is believed to come only once in 144 years and after the completion of 12 Purna Kumbhas. This is one of the most powerful, auspicious and holy collectives in recent decades.
“Kalpava” in Mahakumba
During the Kumbh Mela, some of the most sincere devotees stay in spiritual retreats known as Kalpavas. Kalpavasis, as these devotees are called, live for the full 40-44 days of the Mela, and live a disciplined and minimalist life.
Kalpavasis are expected to wake up early, immerse themselves in the Triveni Sangam and spend the day with their gurus meditating, reading scriptures and performing rituals. They should also eat simple sattvic food prepared for all devotees and stay away from the material luxuries of life.
Shahi Mahakumbha Bath
The Shahi Snan, or royal bath, is the highlight of the Kumbh Mela. This ritual bathing in holy rivers is considered the most powerful and liberating experience for a person, and the days of the festival Chess bath are among the purest and most positive to perform sadhana.
Akharas at Kumbh Mela
In 2025, Shahi Snan will be held on 6 different dates starting from January 14, the day of Makar Sankranti. And this Shahi Snan begins with a grand procession of Akharas and the first bath in the Triveni Sangam is for the Sadhus, Saints and Nagas of these orders.
On many occasions, Naga sadhus, known for their austere lifestyle, lead the procession and clear the way for the devotees to begin their ritual bath.
Link to Paush Purnima
Going back in time, there is a definite connection between Mahakumbh mela and Paush Purnima. And that is that the Kumbh Mela officially begins on the day of Paush Purnima, the full moon day in the Hindu month of Paush. Be it 2025 Mahakumbha or 2013 Kumbha mela, both of them start from the days of Paush Purnima.
According to many elders and experts, the alignment of the celestial bodies on the day of Paush Purnima improves the spiritual energy of the rituals performed. Many devotees begin their kalpava on the day of Paush Purnima, committing to a month-long retreat.
Mahamandaleshwar ceremony
Each Akhara has a Mahamandleshwar who is tasked with initiating people, conducting rituals and practices and much more in the Kumbh melas. There are different ones Mahamandaleshwar in different Akharas from Juna Akhara to Kinnar Akhara and they teach people about ways of life, community life and much more.
This year, one of the first foreign Mahamandleshwars and women also graces the Mahakumbha. Yogmata Keiko Aikawa traveled all the way from Japan to visit the Mahakumbha and continue her teachings.
Another celebrity on the list this year is Lauren Powell, wife of Steve Jobs, who chose to be a Kalpavasi at Mahakumba this year. She got the Kamal name for the rituals and pujas and got the Gotra as confirmed by Swami Kailashanand Giri.
