The grand Maha Kumbh 2025 in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj, concluded on Wednesday, February 26, after 45 days of celebrations, drawing over 66 crore devotees. With its conclusion, many now wonder about the dates for the next Kumbh Mela.
The world's largest religious festival which began on January 13, ended with the final holy dip on Mahashivratri.
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his guidance in organising the Maha Kumbh Mela. He also acknowledged the collective efforts that ensured its success, saying, "With a little political will and the right support, any result can be achieved."
PM Modi compared the massive Maha Kumbh gathering to a newly awakened national consciousness, saying it reflects a country that is now breathing freely after breaking free from a mindset influenced by centuries-old slavery.
"The Maha Kumbh has concluded. The 'mahayajna' of unity has concluded," PM Modi wrote in a blog, a day after the 45-day religious event ended. He stressed the need for the country to move forward with the same spirit of self-confidence and unity to achieve the vision of 'Viksit Bharat.'
He highlighted the unprecedented number of devotees who took the holy dip in Sangam, saying that India is now advancing with renewed energy, marking the beginning of a new era that will shape the country’s future.
{{/usCountry}}He highlighted the unprecedented number of devotees who took the holy dip in Sangam, saying that India is now advancing with renewed energy, marking the beginning of a new era that will shape the country’s future.
{{/usCountry}}PM Modi also offered an apology to "Mother Ganga, Mother Yamuna, Mother Saraswati" and the people—whom he regards as a form of God—for any shortcomings in the services provided during the event.
When is the next Kumbh Mela?
Maharashtra's Nashik is set to host the Kumbh in 2027. The Nashik Kumbh in 2027 is slated to take place from July 17 to August 17, 2027, according to information HT has been able to access. This Kumbh will take place at Trimbakeshwar, located approximately 38 km from Nashik, along the sacred banks of the Godavari River.
The origin of the Kumbh Mela traces back to the Rigveda, one of the oldest Hindu scriptures. It is believed that the term 'Kumbh' refers to a pitcher containing the elixir of immortality that surfaced during the 'Sagar Manthan' or churning of the cosmic ocean. During a 12-day celestial battle, equivalent to 12 human years, drops of the nectar fell at four locations—Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain—forming the sites of the Kumbh Mela.
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There are various kinds of Kumbh Melas, with one or the other occuring every three years and are held at Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. The fair that takes place every four years is called Kumbh Mela, the one that occurs every six years is called Ardh Kumbh Mela. Similarly the one that comes after every 12 years is called Purna Kumbh Mela and the one currently underway at Prayagraj is termed the Maha Kumbh Mela, believed to be taking place after a gap of 144 years.
The Nashik Kumbh of 2027 will be an ‘Ardh Kumbh’.
Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday directed the formation of an authority for the 2027 Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Nashik-Trimbakeshwar, underscoring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to manage crowd, news agency PTI quoted officials on Wednesday.
During the day, Devendra Fadnavis chaired a review meeting here on the preparations for the mega religious gathering. Nashik Divisional Commissioner Pravin Gedam made a presentation on the observations of a team from the state that visited the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, an official release said.