2010 – Prayagraj (Allahabad): The Maha Kumbh Mela (held once every 12 years) was celebrated at the Triveni Sangam with millions of devotees gathering for sacred bathing rituals .
2013 – Prayagraj (Allahabad): The Ardh Kumbh Mela, a half-cycle event occurring every 6 years, was held with millions participating in the holy dip.
2015 – Ujjain (Simhastha): The Simhastha Kumbh Mela was held in Ujjain in 2015, a part of the Kumbh cycle that rotates between four holy cities.
2017 – Haridwar: The Kumbh Mela was celebrated in Haridwar as part of the 12-year cycle, attracting a massive congregation of pilgrims.
2021 – Haridwar: The Kumbh Mela took place in Haridwar, though limited by the COVID-19 pandemic, it still saw large crowds participating in the rituals.
2025 – Prayagraj (Allahabad): The Ardh Kumbh Mela, marking the half-cycle, will be held once again at Prayagraj.
2028 – Haridwar: The Maha Kumbh Mela will take place in Haridwar as part of the 12-year cycle.
2030 – Prayagraj (Allahabad): The Ardh Kumbh Mela will be celebrated at Prayagraj, attracting devotees for holy baths in the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Sarasvati rivers.
2033 – Nasik-Trimbakeshwar: The Kumbh Mela will be held in Nasik, where devotees will gather for the sacred rituals at the Godavari River.
2036 – Haridwar: The Maha Kumbh Mela will be celebrated in Haridwar, one of the four sacred cities that host the event.
2039 – Prayagraj (Allahabad): The Ardh Kumbh Mela will once again be held in Prayagraj.
2041 – Nasik-Trimbakeshwar: The Kumbh Mela will be hosted in Nasik as part of the regular 12-year rotation.
2044 – Prayagraj (Allahabad): The Ardh Kumbh Mela will be observed once again at Prayagraj.
2047 – Haridwar: The Maha Kumbh Mela will take place in Haridwar, marking a significant spiritual event.
2050 – Nasik-Trimbakeshwar: The Kumbh Mela will return to Nasik, continuing the tradition of the four-city cycle.
Each Kumbh Mela is a major Hindu pilgrimage, held at one of the four sacred locations: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nasik, and Ujjain, on a rotating 12-year cycle. The Ardh Kumbh Mela is celebrated every 6 years at Prayagraj.
The dates and period of the Kumbh Mela are calculated based on a unique combination of Hindu astrology, involving the movement of celestial bodies. The key elements that determine the timing of the Kumbh Mela are:
The Kumbh Mela is primarily based on the positions of the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter. The Mela is held when these three planets align in a specific astrological configuration.
The Kumbh Mela is celebrated once every 12 years at each of the four locations (Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nasik, and Ujjain). This cycle corresponds to the time it takes for Jupiter to complete a full revolution around the Sun (which is approximately 12 years).
In addition to the Maha Kumbh Mela (every 12 years), there is the Ardh Kumbh Mela, held every 6 years at Prayagraj (Allahabad). The Ardh Kumbh occurs when the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter align in a favorable position, but it is considered a smaller version of the full Kumbh Mela.
The Simhastha Kumbh Mela is held in Ujjain once every 12 years, when the Sun is in the Leo (Simha) zodiac sign, hence the name “Simhastha.”
The dates for the Kumbh Mela are calculated based on panchang (Hindu lunar calendar), which considers the positions of celestial bodies. Astrologers determine the precise dates when the configuration of the planets is most auspicious for the Mela. These are often based on:
The Kumbh Mela is not fixed to specific dates of the Gregorian calendar but is instead determined by the movements of planets and astrological cycles. The event occurs every 12 years in each of the four cities (Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nasik, and Ujjain) and is marked by significant celestial alignments, particularly the position of Jupiter, Sun, and Moon. The Ardh Kumbh Mela is celebrated in between these Maha Kumbh years, with Prayagraj hosting it every 6 years.