Do you believe in numbers? If yes, you must have been in the habit of counting Dollars or Rupees and not People. But what I will tell you right now will blow your mind. Forty crores (400 Million) people—yes, you heard it right,  Prayagraj (a city in India) is going to witness a confluence of 40 crore people in the Kumbh Mela 2025, all without any invitation. 

The Kumbh Mela Congregation is the world's largest congregation when Hindus gather in huge numbers without any invitation. Okay, wait! Being not invited is the ‘Tale’ side of the coin, the ‘Head’ is that the mela is not a man-planned event but the outcome of some cosmic alignment. So, to amaze you a little bit more, I would tell you that this practice has been running out for centuries when the internet was not a thing, and the medium of communication was limited. So, how do they get notified of the event? You must have been wasting your time, scratching your head, but to know the mystery, stay curious, and scroll through the texts below.

What Is Kumbh Mela?

Kumbh Mela is a sacred congregation of Hindus and believers alongside the bank of rivers like Ganga, Shipra, Godavari, and Triveni Sangam (Conjucture of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers). 

The mela is organized at four distinct places in India such as Haridwar, Prayagraj, Ujjain, and Nasik and the event rotates between these four locations in a frequency of 3 years. The mela that is held in the 6th year is called 'Ardhkumbh' and that is held in the 12th year is called 'Purn Kumbh or Full Kumbh'. Apart from, the Ardh Kumbh, and full Kumbh, there is a mention of Mahakumbh in Vedas, and other Hindu Literature at each 144 years. It means that when 12 full Kumbh are completed, there is a celebration of Mahakumbh at Prayagraj only. 

The timing of organizing each mela event is determined by the astrological position of the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter. Hence, when a fixed set of cosmic patterns or planetary alignment is met, the event of the Kumbh Mela congregation takes place at one of the four locations and people gather to benefit from it. 

Image: Table Reflecting Information About Kumbh Mela

What Is The Meaning Of the Word 'Kumbh'?

‘Kumbh’ is a Sanskrit origin word for ‘Pitcher’ or ‘Pot’ in English and ‘Kalash’ in Hindi. In another term, the name ‘Kumbh’ is also used to refer to a Zodiac sign with this name. However, here take the word ‘Kumbh’ for ‘Pot’ because of its literary relevance in Hindu texts.

According to sacred texts in Hindu Literature, the drops from ‘Amrit Kalash (Amrit Pot)’ fell at four places on Earth. This is why the sacred event is organized at only these four specific places and termed to be ‘Kumbh Mela’. 

How Did It All Start?: The Sea Churning Story

In Hindu Tales, Samudra Manthan (sometimes Amrit Manthan, Sagar Manthan, or Ksheer Sagar Manthan) or the Sea Churning plays a key role in the auspicious celebration of Kumbh Mela. According, to the sacred texts in the Vedas, the Devas (Divine Beings) and Danavs (Demons) agreed to churn the ‘Ksheer Sagar’ to obtain ‘Amrit’ (A drink that will lead to immortality).

Hence, when the nectar of immortality (Amrit Kalash) appeared, they started fighting to drink and some drops of ‘Amrit’ fell off on the Earth at four locations - Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nasik, and Ujjain. 

These are the four locations where in the present time the Kumbh is organized, and a large number of people bathe in the river to purify their sins and attain Moksha, or Spiritual liberation. 

Kumbh Mela Congregation Timing: The Role Of Astrological Positions Of Sun, Moon & Jupiter

The Kumbh Mela congregation timing is based on the astrological position of the Sun, Moon Jupiter. Therefore, when a fixed cosmic alignment of these celestial bodies is found, the prominent persons and institutions of Hinduism announce the Kumbh Mela Schedule. Go through the below lines to learn of the cosmic alignment requirement for each Kumbh:

(a) Haridwar Kumbh Mela - This takes place when Jupiter is in Aquarius and the Sun is in Aries. 

(b) Prayagraj Kumbh Mela -  Occurs when Jupiter is in Taurus and the Sun and Moon are in Capricorn (Makara)

(c) Ujjain Kumbh Mela - This takes place when Jupiter is in Leo.

(d) Nashik Kumbh Mela -  Celebrated when Jupiter is in Leo and the Sun is in Virgo.

How Do People Come To Know Of Kumbh Mela Event Being All Uninvited?

In Kumbh Mela, no particular invitation is sent to anyone to participate in this event. Everyone whose belief is in Hinduism is free to come and bathe in this auspicious event. But, you might have been thinking about, How to come to know of the ‘Kumbh Mela Schedule’.

In today's times,  It is not an arduous task because of information technology but what about the ancient days when the mouth was the only means of communication? Moreover, what about the saints, Naga Sadhus, and others who live in the Himalayas, do ‘Tapas’ for years, and have never used smartphones or the internet? How do these people come to know of the 'Kumbh Mela schedule' being all uninvited?

Well, ‘Kumbh Mela’ is mentioned in Vedas as the ‘Magh Mela’ festival and the celebration has been continuing for thousands of years, multiplying the number of people each year. The ancient people know of this auspicious event due to their ability in astrological calculations. Saints and Naga Sadhus are the torchbearers of the Hindu society and they excel in astrological calculations. So when they meet with such astrological alignment of celestial bodies (Sun, Moon & Jupiter) according to their calculation, they come to know of the ‘Kumbh Mela Schedule’ and through them, the information passes to all the people in Hindu Society. 

Who Can Participate In Kumbh Mela?

First of all, you need to know that the Kumbh Mela Congregation is a sacred event and means for Hindus; therefore, only the Hindus are believed to participate in the event in large numbers. But, because the Hindu doctrine pays attention to the betterment of all, anyone with a strong belief in Hinduism and Hindus is welcome to join. However, before joining this sacred worship program, you must learn about Hindu values, beliefs, rituals,& traditions so that you can connect with this auspicious event through your heart. 

Kumbh Mela World Record 2019

Prayagraj Kumbh Mela 2019 set a world record in terms of numbers, management, and painting. According to the Kumbh Mela World Record 2019, more than 22 crore pilgrims participated in the Kumbh Mela 2019 and took a holy dip together. It was the world’s largest religious gathering in one place which was surprising for the world.

This year, the number is going to surge double at Praygraj Kumbh Mela 2025. Expecting an active participation of more than 40 crore pilgrims, the Kumbh Mela 2025 is all ready to set a new world record. 

Conclusion

More than numbers, the Kumbh Mela Congregation is a perfect blend of divine faith, devotion, reverence, and cosmological events. The massive gathering of people without any invitation proves that there is something in this universe our ancestors were well connected. We must not lose this treasure and should celebrate these cosmological events with great joy and enthusiasm here on Earth. So, don’t wait for an invitation to participate in the Kumbh Mela 2025, approaching you in January, but go out and witness the world’s largest congregation of peace and harmony in Prayagraj in India. 

Thank you for reading till the last line.