What is Kumbh Mela and why is this Hindu festival important?
REX/ShutterstockAuthorities say that at least 30 people have died and a further 60 were injured in a crowd crush at the massive Kumbh Mela festival in India.
The world's biggest religious festival and humanity's largest gathering, the event attracts millions of Hindu pilgrims to sacred riverbanks in India.
What is Kumbh Mela?
Kumbh Mela is a religious gathering that draws tens of millions of Hindu pilgrims and spiritual seekers from India and across the globe.
The event is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and centres on the belief in the purifying power of sacred rivers. Pilgrims bathe in these rivers, believing the ritual cleanses their sins and brings them closer to spiritual liberation.
The festival rotates between four key locations in India: Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad), Haridwar, Nashik and Ujjain. Each site is tied to a sacred river - the Ganges, Godavari or Shipra.
A full Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years in the four cities. A half ("Ard") Kumbh is held mid-way between two full Kumbhs.
Officials say the 2025 festival is a Maha (Great) Kumbh Mela, which occurs only every 144 years, making it an even more significant event.
What does Kumbh Mela mean?
The name "Kumbh Mela" translates to "Festival of the Pitcher" in Sanskrit.
"Kumbh" refers to the pitcher or pot that contained the nectar of immortality in Hindu mythology, while "Mela" means a fair or gathering.
Hindu scriptures recount the legend of the Samudra Manthan - the churning of the ocean of milk by gods and demons in search of the nectar of immortality.
According to mythology, four drops of this nectar fell on the locations where Kumbh Mela is now celebrated, making them sacred.
Why do people go to Kumbh Mela?
Kumbh Mela attracts people from all walks of life, from sadhus (Hindu holy men) to ordinary citizens, including families and international visitors.
While most attendees are Hindus, the event also draws interest from people of other faiths who are curious about its cultural and spiritual significance.
The festival is ultimately an opportunity for attendees to seek spiritual renewal and salvation.
Bathing in the holy rivers during the festival is believed to absolve sins, liberate participants from the cycle of rebirth and bring them closer to moksha (spiritual liberation).
For many, the pilgrimage to Kumbh Mela is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, offering a chance to reaffirm their faith, connect with others and immerse themselves in the traditions of Hindu spirituality.
ReutersHow long does Kumbh Mela last?
The festival is typically around 45 days long - with the 2025 Kumbh Mela taking place from 13 January to 26 February.
The event concludes after the final designated bathing day, known as the last shahi snan (royal bath).
The timing and duration of each Kumbh Mela are determined by astrologers and religious authorities.
What happens during Kumbh Mela?
The festival is a blend of religious rituals and cultural activities.
Its central feature is the shahi snan (royal baths).These ceremonial baths are led by groups of sadhus, including naga sadhus, who are known for covering themselves in ash and symbolising renunciation.
As well as bathing rituals, Kumbh Mela also features spiritual discussion, religious processions, prayers and cultural performances.
Religious organisations set up a number of temporary camps, providing food, shelter and opportunities for spiritual learning.
How many people attend Kumbh Mela?
Kumbh Mela's scale is unparalleled. Attendance varies but the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj stands out for its sheer scale.
About 400 million people are expected to attend throughout the 45-day period, authorities say.
Attendees spread out across the banks of the rivers, spanning some 12km.
Officials use a variety of sources to collate the number of pilgrims but they admit there is a possibility of some duplication. For instance, the one million long-term pilgrims, known as Kalpwasis, are counted daily.
CCTV cameras are used to monitor crowd density in real time, while manual headcounts at entry and exit points also validate numbers.
Drone surveillance provides aerial views of densely populated areas, especially during peak events like holy bathing days.
Analysis of mobile phone data, which uses the number of active mobile devices in the area, also helps to estimate crowd sizes.
How is Kumbh Mela managed?
Organising Kumbh Mela is a monumental task.
Authorities establish temporary cities with infrastructure to accommodate the millions of people who attend.
Facilities provided include makeshift hospitals, sanitation systems and transportation networks.
The 2025 festival is expected to cover 4,000 hectares (40 sq km).
This will include:
- 160,000 tents
- 40,000 police and security officials
- 15,000 sanitation workers
- 99 parking lots for over half a million vehicles
- 30 floating pontoon bridges over the river
- 67,000 street lights
- 150,000 toilets
- 25,000 bins