Maha Kumbh Mela occurs every 12 years, already starting from January 13, 2025, in Prayagraj. Approximately 40 crore people are expected to attend this 45-day festival, which is one of the oldest and most sacred celebrations, attracting both national and international visitors.
Historical Books Mentioned the Kumbh
“Kumbh Mela” means full of nectar, and “Mela” means a gathering. Historical accounts, such as Hiuen Tsang’s ‘Si-Yu-Ki,’ mention that rulers from across the country would attend Prayag to make donations during these religious festivals. Al-Biruni also noted the god-demon conflict in ‘Kitab-ul-Hind.’ Hiuen Tsang described Prayagraj as a significant city for idol worship, with over 5 lakh participants in the festival.
The Gem of the Indian Culture
Maha Kumbh 2025 aims to set multiple world records, including the largest gathering of devotees at a single event. A significant focus will be on the “Netra Kumbh” (Eye Fair), which plans to conduct eye tests for 500,000 people and distribute 300,000 spectacles. This event will take place in Sector 5 near Nagvasuki, covering about 10 acres. The last Netra Kumbh was featured in the Limca Book of Records, and this year’s event seeks recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records with even greater goals.
Shahi Snan Timing in Mahakumbh
Paush Purnima was on 13th January, followed by Shahi Snan on Makar Sankranti on 14th January. The Shahi Snan for Mauni Kumbh is on 29 January, and the final Shahi bath will be on Vasant Panchami on 3 February.
Hindus believe that those who bathe in this combined water, their misdeeds are washed away, and they are blessed for many generations. Pilgrims undertake this journey not only for themselves but also for their upcoming generations.
Expensive Mela Ever
In 2019, the larger Kumbh Mela was hosted in Prayagraj. The Yogi government of Uttar Pradesh had set aside Rs 4200 crore for the Kumbh Mela in Sangam city. This amount is more than three times from the Mahakumbh Budget of 2013. State Finance Minister Rajesh Agarwal said this makes the 2019 Kumbh Mela one of the most expensive ever. The last Mahakumbh held in 2013 generated a total revenue of around ₹12,000 crores while the Kumbh Mela 2019 swirled out an overall revenue of ₹1.2 lakh crore, as per the study by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Economic activities associated with the Kumbh generated employment for over 6 lakh workers in 2019 across various sectors.
What is the difference between Kumbh and Mahakumbh?
Maha Kumbh Mela is held every 144 years, Purna Kumbh Mela every twelve years, Ardh Kumbh Mela every six years and Magh Mela every year on the riverside of Ganga and Yamuna. Maha Kumbh Mela was organized in Allahabad (Pragraj) from 14 January 2013 to 10 March 2013.
2013 Mahakumbh VS 2025 Mahakumbh
The Allahabad pilgrimage had previously seen deadly stampedes in 1840, 1906, 1954, and 1986, yet pilgrims come. Thirty-five people died in a stampede at the railway junction during the 2013 Kumbh Mela
The Prayagraj Municipal Corporation has installed 120,000 plants. Electricity Expenditure**: ₹391 crores will be spent on electricity, making the night brightly lit just like a day.
Security Measures
The 2013 Kumbh had 12,000 security personnel, including 12 ASPs, 30 COs, 409 inspectors, and 4,913 constables.
For Maha Kumbh 2025, 56 police stations and 144 outposts will be established.
Sector Division
The 2025 Maha Kumbh will be divided into 25 sectors, an increase from the 14 sectors in the last Kumbh. As per the CII data, 2013 generated a total revenue of around ₹12,000 crores while the Kumbh Mela 2019 swirled out an overall revenue of ₹1.2 lakh crore, according to a study by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Economic activities associated with the Kumbh generated employment for over 6 lakh workers in 2019 across various sectors. Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday (January 8, 2025) said with an expected turnout of 40 crore devotees this year, the Maha Kumbh is projected to generate up to ₹2 lakh crore in economic growth.
Significance of Bathing During Mahakumbh
General Bath: A daily bath during Mahakumbh, is considered beneficial.
Royal Bath (Rajyogi Bath): Special days for bathing, known as Shahi Snan, when saints join in a procession to dip in the Sangam.
Bollywood’s Biggest Names to Descend Upon Mahakumbh Mela
This year’s Mahakumbh Mela promises to be an unforgettable experience, with a dazzling array of Bollywood A-listers, including Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Ranbir Kapoor, set to take a holy dip in the Ganges.
The Mahakumbh event has attracted some high-profile attendees, including Lauren Powell Jobs, the wife of late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. According to spiritual leader Swami Kailashanand Ji Maharaj, Lauren Powell will not only attend the event but also participate in the sacred Kalpavas ritual.
Talented and creative, with experience in writing, Hina covers a wide range of topics, including social issues, politics, and lifestyle. Her insightful articles and engaging storytelling have captivated readers. She is proficient in English, Hindi, Spanish, Gujarati, and Urdu. A winner of the Best Content Writer award in 2020, Hina is multifaceted, with a keen interest in research and investigation journalism.
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