Mahakumbh Mela, the largest spiritual and religious fair on Earth, attracts millions of devotees, saints, pilgrims and tourists from all over the world. Devotees throng to Triveni Sangam, located in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh where the three holy rivers Gaanga, Yammuna and Saraswati merge.

Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 began on January 13 on Paush Purnima Snan, and will end on February 26, 2025 on the auspicious day of Maha Shivratri. The Maha Kumbh Mela is touted to be the largest gathering of humans on the planet. Hindus partake in the holy snaan to achieve Moksha.

Apart from the holy baths, here are some facts about the Maha Kumbh Mela that will amaze you:

7 Lesser-known facts about the Mahakumbh Mela 2025 1. Maha Kumbh Mela happens every 144 years

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This year, the Maha Kumbh Mela began on the auspicious day of Paush Purnima, which fell on January 13, 2025. It will continue until February 26, 2025. This year's Maha Kumbh Mela is even more significant because the constellation alignment is witnessed once every 144 years.

2. How were the host cities chosen for Kumbh Mela?

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It is believed that Gods and demons started churning the ocean (Samundra Manthan) in order to search for Amrit (the nectar of immortality). Four drops of Amrit fell at four locations—Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain—making these cities the hosts for Kumbh Mela.

3. Kumbh Mela is over 2,000 years old

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The Kumbh Melais over 2,000 years old. The first written evidence of the mela can be found in the accounts of the Chinese traveller Xuanzang, who visited India during the reign of King Harshavardhana.

4. UNESCO recognition

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Kumbh Melawas inscribed on UNESCO'sRepresentative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2017. This recognition highlights its profound significance as a living cultural tradition and event.

5. World’s largest peaceful gathering of humans

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The Maha Kumbh Mela holds the Guinness World Record as the largest peaceful gathering of humans. More than 120 million devotees participated in the Maha Kumbh of 2013, with a whopping 30 million arriving on a single day.

6. Gathering of sadhus from different sects

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Holy men or sadhus and babas from different Hindu sects attend the mela. They include the Nagas (who do not wear any clothes), Kalpwasis (who bathe thrice a day) and Urdhawavahurs (who believe in putting the body through severe austerities).

7. Economic boom

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Apart from its religious and spiritual importance, Kumbh Mela generates significant employment every year. From the local vendors to global tourists, the festival boosts the regional as well as economic growth.

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