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  1. Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Kumbh_Mela

    Kumbh Mela - Wikipedia

    • Kumbh Mela or Kumbha Mela is a major pilgrimage and festival in Hinduism. On 4 February 2019, Kumbh Mela witnessed the largest public gathering of Hindus ever recorded. It is celebrated in a cycle of approximately 12 years, to celebrate every revolution Brihaspati (Jupiter) completes. Kumbh is mainly held at four riverside pilgrimage sites, namely: Prayag… See more

    Etymology and nomenclature

    The Kumbha in Kumbha Mela literally means "pitcher, jar, pot" in Sanskrit. It is found in the Vedic texts, in this sense, … See more

    History

    The earliest mention of Prayag and the bathing pilgrimage is found in Rigveda Pariśiṣṭa (supplement to the Rigveda). It is also mentioned in the Pali canons of Buddhism, such as in section 1.7 of Majjhima N… See more

    GenrePilgrimage
    FrequencyEvery three years (Kumbh Mela) · Every six years (Ardha Kumbh Mela) · Every twelve years (Purna Kumbh Mela) · Every 144 years (Maha Kumbh Mela)
    Location(s)Alternately in · Prayagraj · Haridwar · Nashik · Ujjain · Bansberia
    Significance and impact

    The Kumbh melas of the past, albeit with different regional names, attracted large attendance and have been religiously significant to the Hindus for centuries. However, they have been more than a religious ev… See more

    Calendar, locations and preparation

    The Kumbh Mela are classified as:
    • The Purna Kumbh Mela (sometimes just called Kumbh or "full Kumbha"), occurs every 12 years at a given site.
    • The Ardh Kumbh Mela ("half Kumbh") occurs approximat… See more

    Rituals

    Bathing, or a dip in the river waters, with a prayer, is the central ritual of the Kumbh Melas for all pilgrims. Traditionally, on amavasya – the most cherished day for bathing – the Hindu pilgrims welcome and wait for the … See more

    In culture

    Kumbh Mela has been a theme for many documentaries, including Kings with Straw Mats (1998) directed by Ira Cohen, Kumbh Mela: The Greatest Show on Earth (2001) directed by Graham Day, Short Cut to Nirvana: K… See more

    See also

    • Barahakshetra – A semi-Kumbh Mela in Sunsari Nepal
    • Mahamaham – the Tamil Kumbh Mela
    • Pushkaram – the river festivals of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana… See more

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    Table of Contents
    Etymology and nomenclature
    History
    Quick Facts
    Significance and impact
    Calendar, locations and preparation
    Rituals
    In culture
     

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  2. Kumbh Mela is a Hindu religious festival that is celebrated four times over the course of 12 years1. The festival is held at four pilgrimage places on four sacred rivers in India: Haridwar on the Ganges River, Ujjain on the Shipra, Nashik on the Godavari, and Prayag (modern Prayagraj) at the confluence of the Ganges, the Jamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati12. It is one of the biggest Hindu festivals and is celebrated every three years3. The festival has the largest gathering as lakhs of devotees come from all over the country3. It is attended by millions of people each day4.
    Learn more:
    Kumbh Mela, in Hinduism, religious festival that is celebrated four times over the course of 12 years, the site of the observance rotating between four pilgrimage places on four sacred rivers—at Haridwar on the Ganges River, at Ujjain on the Shipra, at Nashik on the Godavari, and at Prayag (modern Prayagraj) at the confluence of the Ganges, the Jamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati.

    Kumbh Mela | Significance, Festival, & Hi…

    www.britannica.com/topic/Kumbh-Mela
    The Prayag Kumbh Mela, also known as Allahabad Kumbh Mela is a mela, or religious gathering, associated with Hinduism and held in the city of Prayagraj, India, at the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati river.

    Prayag Kumbh Mela - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayag_Kumbh_Mela
    Kumbh Mela is one of the biggest Hindu festivals which is celebrated every three years. It's a pilgrimage that devotees take in the hope of washing away their past sins. The Kumbh Mela has the largest gathering as lakhs of devotees come from all over the country.

    Kumbh Mela History and Significance - Ti…

    timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/kumbh-mela/k…
    The Kumbh Mela in India is as mesmerizing as it is spiritual. This ancient northern Indian festival is a meeting of mystical minds. The largest religious gathering in the world, the Kumbh Mela brings Hindu holy men together to discuss their faith and disseminate information about their religion. It's attended by millions of people each day.

    2021 Kumbh Mela in India: What You Ne…

    www.tripsavvy.com/guide-to-the-mystical-kumbh-m…
  3. People also ask
    What is Maha Kumbh Mela?
    The religious festival, called the Maha Kumbh Mela, happens every 12 years on the banks of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers in the northern Indian city of Prayagraj. Officials this year expect up to 400 million people — more than the population of the United States — to visit the site in Uttar Pradesh State over the next six weeks.

    The World’s Largest Human Gathering Begins in India

    nytimes.com
    What is Kumbh Mela in Hinduism?
    It is the world’s largest public gathering and collective act of faith. This congregation, primarily, includes Ascetics, Saints, Sadhus, Sadhvis, Kalpvasis and Pilgrims from all walks of life. Kumbh Mela, in Hinduism, is a religious pilgrimage that is celebrated four times over a course of 12 years.

    Maha Kumbh Mela 2025

    kumbh.gov.in
    Is the Kumbh Mela the world's largest religious gathering?
    The Kumbh mela is "widely regarded as the world's largest religious gathering", states James Lochtefeld.

    Kumbh Mela - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org
    Who invented the Kumbh Mela?
    These monastic groups traditionally credit the Kumbh mela to the 8th-century Hindu philosopher Adi Shankara, as a part of his efforts to start monastic institutions (matha), and major Hindu gatherings for philosophical discussions and debates.

    Kumbh Mela - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org
    Why do people visit Kumbh Mela?
    Darshan, or viewing, is an important part of the Kumbh Mela. People make the pilgrimage to the Kumbh Mela specifically to observe and experience both the religious and secular aspects of the event. Two major groups that participate in the Kumbh Mela include the Sadhus (Hindu holy men) and pilgrims.

    Kumbh Mela - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org
    What are Kumbh Melas?
    Of these, four sites are broadly recognised as the Kumbh Melas: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Trimbak-Nashik and Ujjain. Other locations that are sometimes called Kumbh melas – with the bathing ritual and a significant participation of pilgrims – include Kurukshetra, and Sonipat.

    Kumbh Mela - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org
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  4. The Indian Express
    https://indianexpress.com › article › explained › ...

    Maha Kumbh Mela Mythology, History, Astrology, Significance …

  5. New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com › world › asia › ...

    Maha Kumbh Mela: World’s Largest Gathering Begins in India

  6. Interesting reads - Kumbh Mela India

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    Steve Jobs' letter on attending Kumbh Mela fetches over $500k at auction: 'I wish to go to India...'
    Steve Jobs' handwritten letter expressing his desire to attend the Kumbh Mela fetched $500,312.50 at auction. His wife, Laurene Powell Jobs, fulfilled his wish by attending the 2025 event despite facing allergies. She participated in spiritual practices under the name 'Kamala,' given by her guru. This visit honors Steve Jobs' spiritual journey and Indian traditions.
    The Times of India
    India: First Kumbh Mela bath attracts millions of pilgrims in India
    India - January 14, 2025 Millions of Hindu pilgrims gathered on Tuesday at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and Sarasvati rivers to take part in the first holy bath of the Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious gathering. The event opened with a grand procession of the 13 akhara (Hindu monastic orders), who made their way to the rivers on foot, on horseback and in decorated chariots. The spiritual atmosphere of the festival was accompanied by crowd control problems, with police using whistles and chants of ‘aaraam se’ (calm) to control congestion at Sangam Ghat. Authorities estimate that up to 450 million people will attend the six-week festival, with some 15 million people taking part on the first day alone. (Camera: HUGO BARCÍA) FOOTAGE OF THE FIRST HOLY BATH OF THE KUMBH MELA, THE WORLD'S LARGEST RELIGIOUS GATHERING, IN PRAYAGRAJ, INDIA. [Restrictions: Spain, Latin America, or the U.S. Hispanic market]
    StringersHub
    India’s Maha Kumbh Mela festival gets under way for first time in 144 years
    The world’s largest religious gathering kicked off on Monday as millions of Hindu devotees gathered on the banks of Ganges in India to mark the beginning of the Maha Kumbh Mela. The Kumbh Mela pilgrimage takes place every 12 years and is widely seen as the “festival of festivals” in the Hindu religious calendar in India, attended by a vibrant mix of sadhus or holy men, ascetics, pilgrims and tourists. This year’s celebration is particularly...
    The Guardian
    A dream come true: A couple’s visit to India’s Kumbh Mela
    More than 400 million Hindu pilgrims are expected to take part in the biggest gathering of humanity in history - India's Maha Kumbh Mela religious festival. DW follows one couple’s spiritual journey to wash away their sins in the river Ganges.
    DW - South Africa
    Steve Jobs' letter at 19 reveals his spiritual inclination and his want to visit Kumbh Mela in India
    Steve Jobs' handwritten letter from 1974, evoking his spiritual journey to India and deep affinity for Zen Buddhism, has been sold for over $500,000. Jobs reflected on his intense explorations of spirituality, particularly inspired by Neem Karoli Baba. The experiences significantly influenced his personal and professional philosophy, contributing to his visionary leadership at Apple.
    Entertainment Times
    See more
  7. AP News
    https://apnews.com › article

    Maha Kumbh Mela 2025: World's largest religious gathering …

  8. CNN
    https://www.cnn.com › travel

    Maha Kumbh Mela: One of the world’s greatest religious ... - CNN

  10. Britannica
    https://www.britannica.com › topic › Kumbh-Mela

    Kumbh Mela | Significance, Festival, History, & Maha Kumbh

  11. कुम्भ मेला
    https://www.kumbh.gov.in › en › historicalsi…

    Maha Kumbh Mela 2025

    The Kumbh Mela (festival of sacred pitcher) is anchored in Hindu mythology. It is the world’s largest public gathering and collective act of faith. Discover the rich historical significance of the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj.

  12. कुम्भ मेला
    https://kumbh.gov.in › en › introduction

    Maha Kumbh Mela 2025

  13. कुम्भ मेला
    https://kumbh.gov.in › en

    Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 - PrayagrajKumbh

    The Maha Kumbh Mela (festival of sacred pitcher) is anchored in Hindu mythology. It is the world’s largest public gathering and collective act of faith.

  14. Indian Culture
    https://www.indianculture.gov.in › ... › kumbh-mela

    Kumbh Mela - Indian Culture