When Will Be The Next Maha Kumbh Mela, How Significant Is Amrit Snan At Prayagraj? Explained
The next Poorna Kumbh Mela is scheduled to take place in Nashik in Maharashtra in 2027, while Simhastha Maha Kumbh will be held in Ujjain in 2028 and Ardh Kumbh in Prayagraj in 2030
Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj, which started around six weeks ago on January 13, will be witnessing the last Amrit Snan today on the occasion of Maha Shivratri.
Maha Shivratri commemorates the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and holds special significance in the context of the Kumbh Mela.
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Around 1.33 crore devotees took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam and other ghats during the Maha Kumbh Mela area on February 25, taking the overall footfall during the Mela to more than 64 crore, according to the Uttar Pradesh government.
Let us understand the significance of Maha Kumbh Mela, significance of Amrit Snan, and when will it happen next.
What’s The Significance Of Maha Kumbh?
The six-week-long Maha Kumbh Mela has occurred after 144 years due to a rare celestial alignment. And it is believed that taking a dip at the Triveni Sangam (confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers) on certain days will wash away a person’s sins and improve their karma.
According to Pallavi Jambhale, Associate Professor and In-Charge Director at KJ Somaiya Institute of Dharma Studies, Diana Eck, in her exploration of Kumbh Mela, connects its significance to the myth of amrita (nectar of immortality) and the cosmic battle between gods and demons. She stresses how the celestial alignments during Maha Kumbh are seen as a divine moment for spiritual renewal and liberation.
Underlining the link between celestial forces and human life, Sadhguru said, “When water bodies converge with a certain force at specific latitudes and during certain times of the year, they unlock immense possibilities of life. Two-thirds of the human body is water, and if you immerse yourself in these dynamic waters during Mahakumbh, it can profoundly impact your system".
The Kumbh Mela, celebrated every three years in rotation among four sacred sites — Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik — is deeply connected to celestial configurations, particularly the movements of the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter. However, the Maha Kumbh, held exclusively at Prayagraj every 12 years, is considered a more significant spiritual event.
The Maha Kumbh revolves around the bathing ritual or the Amrit Snan in the sacred confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati that is believed to cleanse sins and bring people closer to salvation or ‘moksha’. Devotees believe participating in the Maha Kumbh during this cosmic alignment brings them closer to the ultimate liberation.
When And Where Will Be Next Maha Kumbh Mela?
The next Poorna Kumbh Mela is scheduled to take place in Nashik in Maharashtra in 2027, after 12 years in the city.
Nashik, known for its deep spiritual and mythological significance, will host the ‘Simhastha Kumbh Mela’, primarily in the Trimbakeshwar region, which is located on the banks of the Godavari River.
Kumbh Mela in Nashik is believed to have been taking place since at least the 17th century and is known for its grandeur, with millions of devotees participating, as per The Times of India report.
The Maharashtra government has already begun groundwork for the Kumbh Mela. Additional Chief Secretary of the Public Works Department (PWD), Manisha Patankar Mhaiskar, recently visited Nashik to discuss plans for improving road infrastructure, traffic management, and connectivity, as per a Mid-Day report.
Meanwhile, Simhastha Maha Kumbh will be held in Ujjain in 2028 and Ardh Kumbh will be organised in Prayagraj in 2030.
How Important Is Amrit Snan
Amrit Snan or previously called Shahi Snan means ‘nectar bath’. It is a sacred ritual where devotees immerse themselves in holy waters during the Kumbh Mela. According to the Hindu mythology, the act symbolizes purification and pursuit of immortality.
According to Acharya Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj, the Peethadheeshwar of Juna Akhara, Amrit Snan occurs when Jupiter enters Taurus, and the Sun and Moon align in Capricorn. This rare cosmic alignment, known as ‘Amrit Yog’, happens once every 12 years. Swami Avdheshanand stressed that renaming Shahi Snan to Amrit Snan does not change its essence or significance.
Mahant Adittanand Shastri of the Agni Akhada likened taking Amrit Snan to performing a thousand Ashwamedha Yajnas. After the Amrit Snan, sadhus and saints meditate on the deities and engage in discussions about knowledge.
Ramesh Kumar Upadhyay, president of the Bhartiya Jyotish Aadhyatm parishad in Jamshedpur, explained Amrit Snan on Makar Sankranti is important for Hindus. With Makar Sankranti, the Sun is moving to north, and thus the Uttarayan period has begun. According to Hindu mythology, this period is the gods’ daytime, and it is a reason why people celebrate this time. After six months, the Sun will be in the southward phase, which will be the gods’ night. Also, the Sun has moved out of Sagittarius, marking the end of the ‘kharmas’, or the 30-day period in which auspicious activities are not undertaken, he told The Indian Express.
The ‘Amrit Snan’ is marked by the participation of 13 Akharas (religious orders), each following a designated sequence and time for the ritual bath.
Significance Of Each Amrit Snan
Paush Purnima: The Maha Kumbh began on January 13, the day of Paush Purnima, a full moon day. It is the day when the Kalpavas, a month-long period of spiritual practices, starts for a majority of devotees who visit the grand mela. Taking a holy dip in the Ganges on a full moon day is considered auspicious as the bright light of the moon is a symbol of inner peace and removal of impurities.
Makar Sankranti: The second Amrit Snan was held on Makar Sankranti on January 14. Since Makar Sankranti means the end of cold winter, it is believed taking Amrit Snan on Sankranti would remove any darkness or ignorance from the lives of devotees.
Mauni Amawasya: The next Amrit Snan will take place on January 29 on the day of Mauni Amawasya, where devotees observe ‘no food’ fast as well as ‘no speech’ fast. In Hindi, ‘maun’ means silence, and on Mauni Amawasya, people decide to keep quiet and contemplate. By taking a bath on this day not just cleanse one of their sins but also improves their speech.
Basant Panchami: The Amrit Snan on Basant Panchami on February 3 bless people not just with knowledge but also character and creativity. Basant Panchami is the day of Goddess Saraswati, who endows people with knowledge, creativity, wisdom and wit.
Maghi Purnima: The Amrit Snan on February 12 on the day of Maghi Purnima brings good fortune to those who do charities and donations. It is advised that devotees meditate and help others on this day.
Mahashivratri: The last day of Amrit Snan is on February 26. Mahashivratri is considered the great night of Lord Shiva when his energy and vibrations are the most powerful. Taking a bath on this day removes all forms of ignorance from a person’s life and bring them closer to Lord Shiva.
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