The Kumbh Mela, one of the world's oldest and largest religious events, is a colorful display of faith, tradition, and spirituality. In respect of the Hindu mythology, the grand festival attracts millions of devotees from all across the world. The forthcoming Maha Kumbh Mela, held after every 12 years, is scheduled to take place in Prayagraj between January 13 and February 26, 2025. This will provide devotees with an opportunity to experience sacred rituals and spiritual rebirth.
Significance of the Maha Kumbh Mela
The Maha Kumbh Mela is intricately associated with the ancient mythological story of the Samudra Manthan (churning of the cosmic ocean), an event that signifies the never-ending battle between good and evil. The gods and demons were said to have collaborated in churning the ocean to seek amrit (nectar of immortality). This effort culminated into a great battle and drops of nectar started falling at four sacred places—Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik.
Now these four places host Kumbh Mela in a cyclic manner, which provides an opportunity to devotees to purify their souls by taking a holy dip in the rivers. The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 at Prayagraj is notable in the sense that this confluence is at the Triveni Sangam- Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. Devotees consider bathing at such a holy site to purge all the sins and make their soul free from Moksha and get blessings to ancestors as well.
Some Main Rituals and Traditions
Shahi Snan (Royal Bath)
The Shahi Snan happens to be the highlight of the Maha Kumbh Mela. Held at specific auspicious dates, it sees millions of pilgrims gather at the Triveni Sangam to take a holy dip.
The Shahi Snan dates for 2025 include:
- 14th January 2025: Makar Sankranti (First Shahi Snan)
- 29th January 2025: Mauni Amavasya (Second Shahi Snan)
- 3rd February 2025 : Basant Panchami (Third Shahi Snan)
- 26th February, 2025: Maha Shivratri (Final Snan)
- Ganga Aarti: The Ganga Aarti is a beautiful ritual held on the riverbanks with priests lighting lamps and performing prayers unto the holy river.
- Kalpavas: On the Mela, people observe Kalpavas: renunciation of worldly living and spiritual disciplines. It is a very simple kind of life by Kalpavasis devoted to the meditation, praying, reading sacred texts in order to withdraw from worldly bonds.
- Deep Daan: Deep Daan: It is a ritual of letting thousands of diyas float on the river, lighted and symbolizing dispelling darkness and illumination of the soul.
Prayagraj Panchkoshi Parikrama
The Panchkoshi Parikrama is a tradition of visiting significant temples and landmarks around Prayagraj. This spiritual tour comprises visits to sites like the Dwadash Madhav, helping the devotees reconnect with their faith.
Prayers, Offerings, and Acts of Charity
It is also performed with considerable rituals, including Dev Pujan, in which one offers prayers to the deities who are said to come to the Sangam. Some other practices are:
- Shraadh: Prayers and food offered to the ancestors.
- Veeni Daan: Hair is offered to the Ganges as a mark of surrender and purification.
- Charity: Activities like Gau Daan (cow donation), Vastra Daan (clothing), and Swarn Daan (gold) are considered to confer spiritual grace and prosperity.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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