Decoding Maha Kumbh: Unpacking the world’s largest religious gathering
The Maha Kumbh Mela, a spectacular display of faith, spirituality, and cultural heritage, is set to take place in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, from January 13 to February 26, 2025. This grand event, expected to attract millions of devotees from across the globe, is a celebration of tradition, mythology, astrology, and social currents that shape Hinduism and India.
What is Maha Kumbh?
Maha Kumbh, meaning “great pitcher”, is a festival rooted in Hindu mythology and astrology. It is celebrated four times in a 12-year cycle, rotating between four sacred sites: Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik, and Prayagraj. Each site’s celebration is determined by distinct astrological positions of the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter.
Preparations for Maha Kumbh 2025
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Uttar Pradesh government is leaving no stone unturned to make the Prayagraj Kumbh a memorable experience. The Maha Kumbh area has been expanded to 4,000 hectares, with tent accommodations increasing from 80,000 to 1.6 lakh. The government is also laying 400 km of temporary roads, 30 temporary bridges, and 1,249 km of pipelines for drinking water.
Adityanath and Maha Kumbh
Adityanath and the Maha Kumbh Mela are making headlines as the event is expected to witness the presence of religious organisations from the Northeast and South India for the first time. This addition aims to give the Kumbh Mela a national scale and stature.
According to reports, Adityanath has requested the RSS leadership to facilitate the participation of seers from Hindu communities in South India, such as the Lingayats of Karnataka. Observers believe that a successful Maha Kumbh will boost Adityanath’s standing and credentials as BJP’s leading Hindutva face.
However, the opposition Samajwadi Party in UP has accused Adityanath of using the religious event to further his political interests.
Additionally, the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad has demanded that individuals not following ‘Sanatana Dharm’ should not be allowed to enter the Kumbh or set up stalls in the area. Akharas, which have exclusive rights to important bathing places and priority on the holiest days of Kumbh, are a crucial part of Kumbh Mela.
Cultural Significance and Politics
Kumbh Mela is not only a religious gathering but also a cultural and socio-political event. It has been recognised by UNESCO as part of “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity”.
Researchers attribute the evolution of the Kumbh Mela to a complex interplay of religious, social, and political factors. Mass ritualised gatherings, such as pilgrimages, are a common feature of religious practices worldwide. In the case of Kumbh Mela, its religious, cultural, and socio-political aspects have endured for centuries, and the event has played a significant role in generating revenue and employment opportunities for local communities.
According to researchers, the British authorities initially viewed Kumbh Mela with suspicion but later recognised its cultural and religious significance. Efforts were made to manage and regulate the event, leading to the establishment of administrative systems to oversee the pilgrimage.
“Political power and authority have always been intertwined with religious practices and pilgrimages,” researchers note. “While it is debatable whether such events benefit a particular party or individual, they do increase religiosity and may expand support for parties perceived as owning religious policy issues. A Kumbh Mela may boost Hindu nationalist sentiments and vote share, as such events can be polarizing in nature.”
Important Bathing Dates
Some of the significant bathing dates for Maha Kumbh 2025 include:
- Paush Purnima: January 13
- Makar Sankranti Shahi Snan: January 14
- Mauni Amavasya: January 29
- Basant Panchami: February 3
- Magh Purnima: February 12
- Mahashivratri: February 26
