Mahakumbh 2025: What Makes Shahi Snan Significant in Mahakumbh? Discover 10 Key Facts About the Kumbh Mela

The Kumbh Mela holds great significance in Hinduism. The festival is alternately held at four holy locations: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. In 2025, it will not be the regular Kumbh but the grand Mahakumbh Mela, occurring after 144 years. The Mahakumbh will begin on January 13, 2025, with the first royal bath, or ‘Shahi Snan,’ taking place on the same day. This event holds great spiritual importance, and thousands of devotees, including saints and pilgrims, will gather to take a dip in the holy waters.

Key Highlights of Mahakumbh 2025:

1. Duration of Mahakumbh 2025: The Mahakumbh Mela will commence on January 13, 2025, and last until February 26, 2025, spanning 44 days.
2. Importance of the Royal Bath (Shahi Snan): The royal bath is one of the most crucial rituals during the Kumbh Mela. Special dates are set aside for this bath. It is considered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for devotees, especially during Mahakumbh, which occurs once every 144 years.
3. Benefits of Bathing in Mahakumbh: According to scriptures, bathing and praying during Mahakumbh bring immense spiritual rewards. It is believed to wash away sins and grant liberation (moksha).
4. Dates for the Royal Bath:
   • January 13, 2025 (Pausha Purnima)
   • January 14, 2025 (Makar Sankranti)
   • January 29, 2025 (Mauni Amavasya)
   • February 3, 2025 (Vasant Panchami)
   • February 12, 2025 (Maghi Purnima)
   • February 26, 2025 (Mahashivaratri)
5. Locations of Kumbh Mela: The Kumbh Mela is held at four holy locations across India:
   • Haridwar, Uttarakhand, on the banks of the Ganga River
   • Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, on the banks of the Shipra River
   • Nashik, Maharashtra, on the banks of the Godavari River
   • Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers.
6. Types of Kumbh Melas: There are four types of Kumbh Melas:
   • Mahakumbh: Held every 144 years, exclusively in Prayagraj.
   • Ardh Kumbh: Held every 6 years, in Prayagraj and Haridwar.
   • Purna Kumbh: Held every 12 years, at any of the four holy places.
   • Magh Mela: Held annually in Prayagraj during the month of Magh, also referred to as the “small Kumbh.”
7. The First Kumbh Mela: The origins of the Kumbh Mela date back to the Satya Yuga, though the exact time and location are not clearly mentioned in the scriptures.
8. History of Kumbh Mela: Some texts suggest the Kumbh Mela has been celebrated for over 850 years. It was initiated by Adi Shankaracharya. The Kumbh Mela is said to have started after the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), with historical references to it during the Gupta period and the reign of Emperor Harshvardhan. The royal bath at the Sangam in Prayagraj was organized by Shankaracharya and his disciples.
9. When does the Kumbh Mela take place in Prayagraj?: The Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj takes place when Jupiter is in Taurus and the Sun is in Capricorn, marking the perfect astrological alignment.