You will be interested in visiting the Kumbh Mela 2025 when you come to know about the divine history of this grand festival. The story about the Kumbh Mela is famous in the Hindu scriptures and it comes in the chapter called Samudra Manthan in the Vishnu Purana. You will also get to know about the importance of Kumbh Mela by reading about its history.

Kumbh Mela History

Once the devas (gods) and asuras (demons) decided to churn the Ocean of Milk (Kshirsagar) so that they could drink the Nectar of Immortality (Amrit). When they started to churn the ocean, the Nectar of Immortality or Amrit came out. Lord Vishnu snatched the Kumbh (pot), which held this immortal drink, and flew towards the heavens. But the demons chased him where he went to the pot. In the process, some drops of this Amrit fell on earth in four places. These places were Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik, and Allahabad (currently Prayagraj). The Kumbh Mela is celebrated at these four places to celebrate this celestial event.

Kumbh Mela in India

It is not very certain when was the first Kumbh Mela held in India. However historical records state that Kumbh Mela has a history of more than 2000 years. The mention of a huge fair is found in the travel journal of Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang), the famous Chinese traveler. He mentioned that in the reign of King Harshvardhana, hundreds of pilgrims gathered at a place called Prayag and did ritual bathing in the river confluences. But the history of Kumbh Mela goes back to Rigveda which mentions a bathing pilgrimage. Even the Mahabharata states that a place called Prayag is a place of atonement and pilgrimage.

Importance of Kumbh Mela

According to the Hindus (Importance of Kumbh Mela), the Kumbh Mela is a huge religious event. They gather in their millions at the four pilgrimage places and do ritual bathing or holy dip in the sacred rivers. Doing this makes them free of all sins and they get to attain moksha after they die. During the Kumbh Mela, the akharas, sadhus, and tourists come together to celebrate this mega event. There are various cultural performances, aartis take place, tourists sing devotional songs, and visit the temples.

More than 110 million devotees attended the Kumbh Mela in 2019. But in 2025, there is an estimate that more than 150 million people will take part in the Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj. This Kumbh Mela is also an auspicious occasion when the sadhus take the Shahi Snan or the Royal Bath. The royal bath takes place on very auspicious dates and these dates coincide with the Hindu calendar dates of festivals.

A snapshot of the Kumbh Mela 2025

Kumbh Mela is also an opportunity when people to take part in religious events, spiritual lectures, and talks, practice in Yoga and meditation camps, and offer charity to the poor and the needy. They also volunteer in community service and get satisfaction out of it. Kumbh Mela is also an event where many get to earn by offering their services. So, you will find that tour agencies, banks, hospitals, restaurants, and entertainment artists, get paid by offering their services.

Other important blog:

• Complete Guide to Kumbh Mela Tent Booking in 2025
• Kumbh Mela 2025 Date, Place, Cultural Significance of Maha Kumbh
• What Makes Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj in 2025 Special?
• How to book accommodation in Prayagraj Kumbh Mela 2025?
• How to book Kumbh Mela Shahi Snan package?
• How to book Kumbh Mela budget package?