Maha Kumbh 2025: When and where is the next Kumbh mela likely to be held?

According to Acharya Lalmani Panday, head priest of Panipat’s Devi Mandir, which is believed to have been built by the Pandavas during the Mahabharata era, the Maha Kumbh Mela is a once-in-a-lifetime event, occurring approximately every 144 years

By: Lifestyle Desk
New Delhi | Updated: February 27, 2025 05:04 PM IST

2 min read

The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 took place in Prayagraj, marking a rare spiritual event held every 144 years. Discover the history, dates, and upcoming Kumbh Mela schedules for Nashik, Ujjain, Haridwar, and Prayagraj. (Express photo by Vishal Srivastav)

The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, one of Hinduism’s most sacred gatherings, concluded yesterday at Prayagraj (Allahabad), where millions of pilgrims converged at the holy Sangam—the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers.

This grand spiritual festival follows the ancient Hindu tradition of Kumbh Melas, which occur in a 12-year cycle at four sacred locations across India: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain.

When is the next Maha Kumbh Mela?

According to Acharya Lalmani Panday, head priest of Panipat’s Devi Mandir, believed to have been built by the Pandavas during the Mahabharata era, the Maha Kumbh Mela is a once-in-a-lifetime event, occurring approximately every 144 years. The Hindu Panchang (astrological calendar) has predicted that the next Maha Kumbh will take place after 144 years in 2169, although future planetary alignments could shift this estimation, Acharya Panday said.

The Kumbh Mela’s timing is dictated by celestial alignments—specifically, the positioning of Jupiter, the Sun, and the Moon. It is believed that during this period, the waters at these sacred locations are imbued with divine nectar (Amrit), offering devotees an opportunity to wash away their sins and attain moksha (liberation).

People take a holy dip at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj during the Maha Kumbh Mela. (Express Photo by Vishal Srivastav)

The Kumbh Mela tradition follows a structured cycle. The Poorn Kumbh Mela, held at Prayagraj, is the largest and most significant Kumbh, which occurs every 12 years. The next Poorn Kumbh will take place in 2036.

The next Maha Kumbh Mela, which takes place every 144 Years, will be in 2169. This is the rarest and most sacred of all, with the last one before 2025 held in 1881 at Prayagraj.

Upcoming Kumbh Mela locations and dates

For those planning their pilgrimages, here are the upcoming Ardh Kumbh Melas scheduled in the next decade, according to Acharya Panday:

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2027 – Nashik (on the banks of the Godavari River)
2030 – Ujjain (along the Shipra River)
2033 – Haridwar (on the banks of the Ganga)
2036 – Prayagraj (Sangam of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati)

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