Kumbh’s Pauranik Origins
According to puranas, Bhagawan Vishnu was carrying a Kumbh (pot) of amrit (nectar) when a scuffle broke out, causing four drops to spill onto the earth. These drops fell at four places—Prayag, Haridwar, Nasik, and Ujjain—which then went on to be considered as Tirthas (a sacred place where devotees can attain mukti or liberation from the cycle of births and death. The Kumbh mela is commemorated at these four tirthas once in 12 years, with each tirtha getting a turn once in 3 years.. However, the Kumbh at Prayag, where the Sangam (the confluence of the sacred vedic rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati) is located, is considered Tirtharaj, the ‘king of tirthas’. It is the most sacred of all, often called the Mahakumbh
History of Kumbh Mela
Har Har Mahadev!
Mahakumbh mela—what a majestic name! It’s not just a religious gathering; it’s a symbol of purity, auspiciousness, and the collective spiritual consciousness of humanity. This grand event, which sees millions of devotees take a dip in the Triveni Sangam, is the largest religious gathering on the planet, a spectacle like no other. But it’s roots go much deeper than just the present day.
The Kumbh mela is intrinsically connected to one of the world’s oldest civilizations, our precious Sanatan Dharma. The origins of this sacred festival go back thousands of years, and the traditions associated with it have evolved over time. This festival not only draws people from every walk of life, from saints and monks to Aghoris, Naga Sadhus, and worldly devotees, but it also holds profound historical and cultural significance.
So, how did this extraordinary event come into being? Many historians and spiritual thinkers believe that the Kumbh mela has existed in some form since the time of the Mahabharata. However, the structured form of the Kumbh mela that we recognize today took shape around the eighth century. It is none other than the reviver of Sanatan Dharma, the great Adi Shankaracharya, who played a crucial role in organizing and formalizing the Kumbh mela in its present form. At a time when Buddhism was spreading throughout India and Hindu traditions were facing challenges, Shankaracharya started a mission to revive and protect Sanatan Dharma. He traveled barefoot across the country, meeting with kings and urging them to preserve the traditions of Hinduism.
Everyone sees Shankaracharya as an Adwaitik Guru, but I see him as a visionary commander. His influence was so profound that he not only established the lineage of the Naga Sadhus but also structured seven Akhadas (Mahanirvani, Niranjani, Juna, Atal, Avahan, Agni, and Anand).
He gave them weapons and assigned them the task of protecting our Sanatan Dharma. These Naga Sadhus, with their immense spiritual and physical power, became the guardians of Sanatan Dharma. They would oversee the Kumbh mela, and these Akhadas eventually became the cornerstone of the event, growing in both spiritual significance and cultural prominence.
Adi Shankaracharya gave the five “samskaras” (rituals) that every Naga sadhu must undergo — The first ritual is “jata dharan,” or letting go of the hair-care (cutting, combing, etc) to symbolize renunciation. The second samskara “shastra-dharan” was to bear weapons like a warrior for the protection of dharma. The third was to become “digambaras” (those who remain clad only in the sky, in other words, remain unclothed). The fourth samskara is “bhasma-dharan” or to adorn the body with ash, and the fifth and the last samskara involves wearing a rudraksha or being a “rudraksha dharan”.
The timing of the Kumbh mela is determined by the positions of Jupiter, the Sun, and the Moon in specific zodiac signs. The most auspicious period begins when Jupiter enters Aquarius (Kumbha Rashi) and the Sun enters Aries or Capricorn. These Naga sadhus engage in their most significant ritual bath (Amrit Snaan) at many auspicious times during the course of the 45 days long Kumbh mela .
After the first Kumbh mela organized by Adi Shankaracharya, once the Naga sadhus took the holy dip and collected the water from the pot (Kumbh), the Guru said: “सर्व तीर्थमायो यसमाट सर्व देवमायो यताह आताह हारी प्रियोसित्वम पुर्न कुम्भम नामोस्टुटे.” The one who carries the essence of all the sacred places (Tirthas) and the essence of all the deities, who is loved by Lord Hari (Vishnu), I bow to the sacred Kumbh. In the centuries that followed, the Kumbh mela continued to evolve, with the Naga sadhus, philosophers, and devotees uniting to preserve the teachings of Shiva and Narayana. The festival itself, a convergence of spirituality, culture, and history, has always been guided by celestial alignments, determining the auspicious moments for the sacred dip in the holy rivers.
The Kumbh mela today represents not just a religious ritual, but a living legacy of the vision of Adi Shankaracharya, who brought together spirituality and physical strength to protect and promote the ancient traditions of India. And, as we gather at Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, or Nashik, we partake in an age-old practice that spans millennia, ensuring that the flame of Sanatan Dharma continues to shine brightly for generations to come.
My Experience of Mahakumbh Mela
During my visit to the Mahakumbh mela on February 17th this year, my experience was surreal. The streets of Prayagraj were like rivers themselves, flowing with millions of devotees walking towards the Triveni Sangam. It was not just the devotees of one sect or the other—be it Shaivas, Vaishnavas, or Shaktas—but the pure tejas of Sanatan Dharma that filled the air. It felt as though each person, with a heart wide open, stepped forward, their resolve strong, their faith unshaken. They walked in the union, not for a particular temple or any one deity, but for the sacred Sangam, to bathe in the pavitra snaan (holy dip). I realized that though we may all have different kula devatas (family gods) or ishta devatas (chosen deities), there was one thing that unites us all—our collective bhakti, the deep love and devotion towards the divine. We were not alone on this journey; we were accompanied by the mukkoti (33 koti) devatas, the rishis of the past, the sadhus of the present and the multitude of divine beings not merely watching over us, but walking with us on this path. As we walked, the chants of Har Har Mahadev, Hare Krishna, Radhe Radhe, Sita Ram or Har Har Gange roared through the streets, reverberating in the hearts of all. This journey wasn’t just towards any one temple—it was a pilgrimage towards the Tridevis, the three divine forces of the Triveni Sangam. Following the path laid out by Adi Shankaracharya, we made our way to the Sangam to dip in the holy waters. Even though millions gather each day, the government’s impeccable arrangements ensure peace and order throughout the entire event. Arriving at the Sangam around at brahmamuhurta, at 4 am, I found myself amidst a sea of devotees, with lakhs of Hindus already taking their dip. The water felt like magic, its purity washing away the dirt of not just the body, but of the soul itself. I began the sacred ritual by performing tarpanam, offering prayers to the rishis, pitrus (ancestors), deities present at the river, and our kula devatas before taking dips in the Sangam. After the holy dip, I performed a parikrama (circumambulation) to thank the Mahadeva for this blessed life, for allowing us the opportunity to experience this punyasnaana. With this, my amritsnaan at the Mahakumbh mela culminated.
The rejuvenation was immense; the moment was overwhelming—one that will stay etched in my memory forever. With our souls purified, I, along with our group then visited the Lete Hanuman ji (Reclining Hanuman) temple, located on the banks of the Sangam. This temple is truly unique—the statue of Hanuman Ji is in a reclining posture, and it is said that during floods, when the waters rise, Hanuman Ji bathes in the Ganga. This is said that this is the only temple in the world where the reclining statue of Hanuman is worshipped, and it is believed that the full benefit of the sangam snaan is only realized after visiting this temple.
A Short Note of Appreciation
Kudos to the government of Uttar Pradesh for transforming the banks of the Triveni Sangam into a vibrant city that seamlessly accommodates millions of visitors. The presence of multiple spiritual leaders, with their enlightening pravachans, adds to the experience. The Ganga Pandal, a cultural hub, showcases performances from across India, further enriching the experience of the Mahakumbh mela. Providing food for such massive gatherings requires extensive logistical operations. The “langar” (community kitchen) services provided by various organizations, including the Akhadas, play a crucial role. Each day, an astonishing 15 million meals were cooked and served to the visitors, thanks to the efforts of over 50,000 volunteers who worked around the clock to prepare, distribute, and manage the food service.
The Uttar Pradesh government also ensured safety and security by deploying an immense number of law enforcement officers. Over 50,000 police personnel were stationed throughout the Mela grounds, including specialized teams for crowd control, surveillance, and emergency response. Their presence was key in maintaining peace, ensuring a safe environment, and allowing devotees to focus on their spiritual journey
Future Kumbh Melas
A Mahakumbh mela is often said to be a once-in-a-lifetime event for anyone, however, the Kumbh mela is not a one-off occasion; we still have the other Kumbh melas—which occur every 3 years at different locations—ahead of us. While this Mahakumbh has set a record as the largest religious gathering in the world, it is now our responsibility, as Sanatanis, to ensure that future Kumbh melas are even more successful, impactful, and spiritually enriching.The unity of Sanatanis from all walks of life, which we experienced during this Maha Kumbh, is not just a symbol of devotion—it is our collective journey towards a stronger, more united Dharma. This union of hearts and souls is a reflection of our shared values, our shared purpose, and the immense power of our spiritual heritage.
As Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava, once said, “Dharmo rakshati rakshitah”, meaning “Dharma protects those who protect it.” Now is the time for all of us to come together, to protect and preserve our Sanatan Dharma. This call for unity is not just for the present generation in India but for all Sanatanis across the world to take up this mantle. The upcoming Kumbh melas, with their profound significance, offer us a unique opportunity to further fortify our Dharma, ensuring that it continues to thrive and flourish in the years to come. Let us rise, united, to safeguard this precious tradition and pass it on to the generations that follow. The future Kumbh melas will not just be a continuation of this sacred journey but a beacon of our devotion, strength, and unwavering commitment to preserving the essence of Sanatan Dharma.
Hari Aum Tat Sat!
