The Kumbh Mela, a tradition going back thousands of years, is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. Held every 12 years at the meeting point of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers in Prayagraj, it draws millions of devotees seeking spiritual cleansing. This year’s event, from January 13 to February 26, promises to be extraordinary due to a rare planetary alignment.
Laborers like Babu Chand, 48, are working tirelessly to prepare for this mega event. “So many devotees will come. I feel my work is like a pious act,” he shared while digging trenches for the vast electrical setup. Spread over 4,000 hectares two-thirds the size of Manhattan the site is transforming into a massive tent city.
“About 350 to 400 million people are expected, making it the largest gathering of its kind,” said festival spokesperson Vivek Chaturvedi. “The scale is unimaginable building roads, housing, lighting, and sewerage is like setting up an entire country.”
Preparations include 150,000 toilets, 68,000 LED lights, and community kitchens capable of feeding 50,000 people at once. Posters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlight the strong link between politics and religion in this event.
The Kumbh Mela has roots in Hindu mythology. According to legend, drops of nectar from the gods’ battle with demons fell at Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. Bathing in the Sangam the confluence of the rivers is believed to cleanse sins and help achieve moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death).
Astronomy plays a key role, as the event aligns with Jupiter’s 12-year zodiac cycle. The Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, known as the Maha Kumbh, is the largest of these gatherings. The smaller Ardh Kumbh held in 2019 attracted 240 million people.
Devotees have already started arriving, including naga sadhus naked monks devoted to meditation. “I have come to bless the people,” said Digambar Ramesh Giri, a 90-year-old naga sadhu. On six key dates, beginning January 13, these monks will lead the sacred bathing rituals in the river’s chilly waters.
The Kumbh Mela 2024 is a celebration of faith, mythology, and astronomical significance. It offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience for millions seeking blessings, spiritual rejuvenation, and connection to an ancient tradition.
