Types Of Kumbh Mela, India
Kumbh Mela held since ancient times in India are the largest congregation of people for a ritual festivity. You can find here myth about Kumbh Mela and types of Kumbh Mela. Myth about Kumbh Mela
Generally common people and foreign visitors who are unaware of the Indian traditions find all the Kumbh Mela same.
But all the Kumbh Mela has some unique traditions which differ from other Kumbh Mela.
Kumbh Mela Places in India
There are 4 Kumbh Mela Places in India.
But all the Kumbh Mela places hosts different type of Kumbh. Find here the basic difference among all the Kumbh Mela.
| Type of Kumbh Mela |
Places |
Frequency |
Next Scheduled Date |
Significance |
| Maha Kumbh Mela |
Prayagraj (Allahabad) |
Once every 144 years |
Next: To Be Announced (Last held in 2013 was a Purna Kumbh) |
The most sacred and rare form of Kumbh, held once in 12 Purna Kumbhs (approx. 144 years) |
| Purna Kumbh Mela |
Prayagraj (Allahabad) |
Once every 12 years |
Next: 2025 |
Held at Triveni Sangam where Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati meet; spiritually highly significant |
| Ardh Kumbh Mela |
Prayagraj (Allahabad), Haridwar |
Once every 6 years (alternates between the two cities) |
Next: 2028 (Haridwar) |
Half Kumbh – equally sacred, draws millions of pilgrims and sadhus |
| Kumbh Mela |
Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik, Prayagraj |
Every 3 years in rotation among the 4 locations |
Next: Ujjain – 2028 |
Regular Kumbh celebrated based on planetary positions; draws millions to holy rivers |
There are five types of Kumbh Melas that are held in India:
Maha kumbh Mela is held only in Pragraaj (Allahabad). It a once in a lifetime event that too who can see it in own life. Maha Kumbh Mela comes in every 144 years or after 12 Purna Kumbh Mela. It is only held in Prayag (Allahabad).
Purna Kumbh Mela comes every 12 years . It is held in 4 Kumbh Mela Places in India; Allahabad , Haridwar , Nashik and Ujjain . It rotates every 12 years at 4 places.
Ardh Kumbh means Half Kumbh which means half of 12 years duration. So, Ardh Kumbh is held every 6 years in India . It is held only at 2 places. Ardh Kumbh is held in Haridwar and Allahabad .
Kumbh Mela is held at four different places - Ujjain , Allahabad , Nashik and Haridwar. Kumbh Mela is organized by state governments. It is participated by millions of people with great pomp and spiritual enthusiasm.
Magh (Kumbh) Mela
The Magh Mela also called Mini Kumbh is held annually , only in Allahabad it is organized in the month of Magh according to Hindu Calendar (14 Jan –February end) .
Astrological Transitions in Kumbh Mela
- Haridwar - When the sun is in Aries and Jupiter is in Aquarius during the Hindu month of Chaitra.
- Allahabad (Prayag) - When the sun and the moon are in Capricorn and Jupiter is in Aries during the Hindu month of Magha.
- Nashik - When the sun and Jupiter are in Leo during the month of Bhadrapda.
- Ujjain - When Jupiter is in Leo and the sun is in Aries, or when Jupiter, the sun and the moon are in Libra during the month of Vaisakha.