The Kumbh Mela is a mass Hindu pilgrimage that takes place every 12 years, rotating between four holy sites in India: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. It is the world’s largest peaceful gathering, attracting tens of millions of pilgrims who come to bathe in sacred rivers, believing this ritual will cleanse them of their sins and help them attain moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth). The Kumbh Mela is recognized by UNESCO as part of its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Historical and Mythological Significance

The origins of the Kumbh Mela are deeply rooted in Hindu mythology. According to legend, during a battle between gods (devas) and demons (asuras) over a pot (kumbh) of amrita (the nectar of immortality), drops of the nectar fell on four locations: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. These sites are now the venues for the Kumbh Mela, where the rivers are believed to turn into amrita during the festival.

The first written account of the Kumbh Mela dates back over 2,000 years, with the Chinese traveller Xuanzang documenting the event during his visit to India in the 7th century. The festival has grown exponentially over the centuries, with attendance numbers reaching up to 150 million in recent years.