When is Kumbh Mela?

What is Kumbh Mela?

Kumbh Mela is a Hindu ceremonial occasion of spiritual cleansing and restoration. As many as 100 million religious pilgrims may gather during one of these events to bathe in the waters of a sacred river. There are four locations for the pilgrimage, and the Kumbh Mela rotates from one location to the next with a sacred gathering being held every three years. In this way, each of the four locations welcomes pilgrims once every twelve years. The four locations and their respective sacred rivers are Haridwar (Ganges), Allahabad (where the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati meet), Nashik (Godawari), and Ujjain (Shipra).

Each Kumbh Mela lasts for an entire year, providing ample time for pilgrims to journey to the site. Flags are hoisted on the first day of the festival and special bathing opportunities and other ceremonies are scheduled on specific days. The Kumbh festival features a fair as well as ceremonies and rituals.