Mahakumbh Travel Guide 2025: Mahakumbh Mela 2025 officially commenced on Monday, January 13, continuing until Wednesday, February 26, 2025, and will be held in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Recognised as one of the largest spiritual gatherings in the world, the Kumbhmela is held every 12 years, celebrating faith, spirituality, and cultural heritage, which draws millions of pilgrims, sadhus, and tourists from around the globe. Central to this sacred event is the divine confluence known as the Triveni Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mystical Saraswati rivers meet. Pilgrims believe that taking a holy dip in this confluence can cleanse the soul of sins and lead to spiritual liberation, also known as moksha. While on the second day of the festivities commenced with the ‘Amrit Snan,’ with over 1.6+ crore devotees participating in it. The history behind the Mahakumbh Mela: The Kumbh Mela has its origins in ancient Hindu texts, including the Mahabharata and the Puranas, dating back thousands of years. This grand event is closely associated with the myth of Samudra Manthan, or the churning of the ocean, during which drops of the nectar of immortality are believed to have fallen at four key locations: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. The Chinese traveller Xuanzang, in his writings from the seventh century, highlighted the intersection of spirituality and commerce at the Kumbh Mela, where influential rulers and prosperous merchants would immerse themselves in the sacred waters and make generous contributions. Top 10 holy places to visit if you're attending the Mahakumbh Mela 2025: Today, the Kumbh Mela stands as the largest religious gathering in the world, deeply intertwined with Hindu mythology, where participants seek forgiveness for their transgressions and aim for Moksha or spiritual liberation. As Maha Kumbh 2025 is being held at Prayagraj after twelve years, to enhance the spiritual journey during the Kumbh Mela, we have listed the top ten holy destinations around Prayagraj that you must visit. SNo. Place State Kilometres away from Prayagraj 1 Shringverpur Uttar Pradesh 40km 2 Kaushambi Uttar Pradesh 60km 3 Kara Uttar Pradesh 69km 4 Mirzapur Uttar Pradesh 89km 5 Vidhyanchal Uttar Pradesh 90km 6 Varanasi Uttar Pradesh 120km 7 Chitrakoot Madhya Pradesh 120km 8 Sarnath Uttar Pradesh 130km 9 Ayodhya Uttar Pradesh 165km 10 Kushinagar Uttar Pradesh 260km 1. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: Located approximately 120 km from Prayagraj, Varanasi, also known as Kashi or Banaras, is one of the oldest living cities in the world. One of the major pilgrimage sites for Hindus, the city is renowned for its ghats alongside the Ganges River, where devotees perform rituals and take holy dips, the evening Ganga Aarti, in addition to numerous temples, especially one of the most sacred, Lord Shiva's temple, Kashi Vishwanath, all of these offering profound spiritual experiences. 2. Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh: Ayodhya is revered as the birthplace of Lord Rama and is about 165 km from Prayagraj. The city is home to the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple and Hanuman Garhi, another significant pilgrimage destination for Hindus that one must visit if attending the Mahakumbh Mela 2025. 3. Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh: Situated around 120 km from Prayagraj, Chitrakoot holds a special place in Hindu mythology as the location where Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana spent part of their exile, with major attractions including Kamadgiri Hill, which is known to fulfil the wishes of everyone, and the Bharat Milap temple, known as the meeting of Rama and his brother Bharat. 4. Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh: Located approximately 89 km from Prayagraj, Mirzapur is nestled between the Vindhya mountain range and the banks of the holy Ganges River, making it an important pilgrimage destination, particularly for devotees of Hinduism, with notable attractions like Ashtbhuja Temple, known for its unique architecture dedicated to Goddess Ashtabhuja; the Buddha Nath Temple; and the Tarkeshwar Nath Temple. The city's spiritual ambience is enhanced by the Vindhya mountains and the Ganges River, making it a must-visit. 5. Vidhyanchal, Uttar Pradesh: Vidhyanchal is another centre of pilgrimage for Hindus and is estimated to be 90 km away from Prayagraj. A Shakti Peeth, renowned for the famous Vindhyavasini Devi temple, dedicated to goddess Vindhyavasini, it observes hundreds of disciples during the Navratris of the Chaitra and Ashwin months to invoke the blessings of the Goddess. 6. Shringverpur, Uttar Pradesh: Shringverpur, located approximately 40 km from Prayagraj, is renowned as the capital of Nishadraj Guha, famously known as the 'King of Fishermen.' This ancient city holds a significant connection to the Ramayana, where Nishadraj provided refuge to Lord Ram, Mata Sita, and Shree Laxman during their exile, aiding them before they crossed the Ganga River. The area is also associated with Sringi Rishi, from whom it derives its name, and features the Sringi Rishi temple, adding to its historical and cultural importance. 7. Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh: Kosambi in Pali, or Kaushambi in Sanskrit, is an ancient Indian city that was formerly the capital of the Vatsa Kingdom and is one of the sixteen mahajanapadas. Located approximately 60 km away from Prayagraj, on the Yamuna River and southwest of its confluence with the Ganges at Prayaga, the city is a significant Buddhist site known for its historical ruins and stupas, showcasing a rich cultural heritage. 8. Kara, Uttar Pradesh Situated around 69 km from Prayagraj, Kara is famous for the Kara Devi Temple and holds historical importance as a former provincial capital. The temple attracts numerous pilgrims and tourists alike, eager to explore its spiritual ambience and architectural beauty. 9. Bodh Gaya, Bihar: Although it is about 370 km away, Bodh Gaya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment, making it a crucial pilgrimage location for Buddhists. 10. Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh: Sarnath, renowned for being the Lion Capital built by King Ashoka, is approximately 130 km from Prayagraj, near Varanasi. It is important in Buddhism as the site where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon and features numerous stupas, including the Dhamek Stupa.
